June 21st, 2008UN International Day of Peace - Sept. 21st
The International Day of Peace NGO - Committee at the UN
An urgent convocation of peacemakers planning
The International Day of Peace on September 21
Co-Sponsored by:
The United Religions Initiatie at the UN
The International Day of Peace Vigil
Thursday, May 15 -1:15 - 2:30pm
UN Conference Room 1
The International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN, the United Religions Initiative at the UN, and the International Day of Peace Vigil hosted an important meeting at the United Nations on May 15, 2008 to discuss strategies for expanding observance of the 21 September UN International Day of Peace.
Outside Conference Room 1 was an information table, set up with an International Day of Peace display and a variety of handouts, including brochures for the International Day of Peace and the Vigil, the URI’s Call To Religions, and sample proclamation for religious groups. By the end of the meeting, all of the handouts had been taken. Inside the conference room was a Peace Pole.
The event opened with a Minute of Silence led by moderator Deborah Moldow in recognition of the traditional annual opening of the UN General Assembly on the International Day of Peace before the date was fixed on 21 September. Everyone took a moment to envision what a Day of Peace might be like around the world. Deborah then introduced Amb. Hilario Davide, the Permanent Representative of the Mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations and the leader of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace. Amb. Davide offered his customarily warm welcoming remarks, including a recitation of the beautiful St. Francis Prayer, which begins, “Oh, Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.”
The next speaker was our good friend, Amb. Anwarul K. Chowdhury, who as Permanent Representative of Bangladesh led the resolution for a Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World through the General Assembly. Now retired from his subsequent post as Under-Secretary-General and High Representative, Amb. Chowdhury is working as hard as ever to promote a culture of peace, and serves as honorary chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee.
In this capacity, Amb. Chowdhury had organized a meeting with Mr. Kiyo Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications, as well as today’s speakers Eric Falt, Susan Manuel, Monica Willard and moderator Deborah Moldow. He reported upcoming plans announced at that meeting, including the issuing of the statement of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the International Day of Peace in June, so that there could be time to plan for efforts to implement the global ceasefire mandated by the IDP resolution. Amb. Chowdhury also stressed the context of the IDP as a strong building block toward a culture of peace.
The UN Department of Public Information has shown impressive commitment to the IDP and willingness to partner with NGOs for outreach around the world. Mr. Eric Falt, the Director of the Outreach Division of DPI, spoke of the ways in which this Day has taken an outstanding identity among the other UN-designated days. He mentioned the ongoing work on the IDP on the UN CyberSchoolBus site, including the Peace Pals Art Exhibition based on this year’s theme of friendship, with judging to take place on September 21st in Beacon, New York.
Mr. Falt also spoke about the UN’s efforts to reach out to people in the developing world, who typically have limited access to the Internet. This year, DPI will launch a peace text-messaging campaign for the IDP, which has the potential to reach into many countries and include support by local radio stations. Actor George Clooney, a new UN Messenger of Peace, has videotaped a Public Service Announcement about peace, which will also be available for broadcast.
Ms. Susan Manuel, who is Chief of DPI’s Peace and Security Unit, is the point person for IDP coordination within DPI. In spite of her very demanding job, she has been a key partner for our NGO efforts for many years. She added that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has demonstrated a welcome level of support for the IDP. This is especially significant in empowering UN efforts to utilize the IDP for serious efforts in conflict areas.
Both Eric Falt and Susan Manuel agreed that DPI will emphasize the 100-day countdown, beginning on June 13th, and will issue a press release as soon as the Secretary-General releases his Message on the International Day of Peace.
For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the International Day of Peace observance at the UN headquarters, Deborah mentioned the ringing of the Peace Bell by the Secretary-General, the attendance of the celebrity Messengers of Peace, and the annual student observance.
The meeting had been organized with the cooperation of Mr. Sergei Kambalov, Chief of the ECOSOC and Interorganizational Cooperation Branch Office for ECOSOC Support and Coordination/DESA. Mr. Kambalov’s office had been recently named the focal point in the UN Secretariat on interreligious, intercultural and intercivilizational matters in accordance with General Assembly resolution 62/90. Has been of great assistance to those of us involved in interfaith work at the UN. He suggested an exhibition at the UN highlighting IDP observances around the world.
Observance of the IDP has not been limited to DPI, and it has been a joy over the years to see more and more UN agency participation. Ms. Rochelle Roca-Hachem, Programme Specialist for Culture at UNESCO, spoke about the agency’s history in bringing the term “culture of peace” into recognition. UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura issues an annual message on the IDP, and will look into additional ways to support the Day, particularly through its Associated Schools Project.
It was then time to hear from some of the NGOs who have made support of the IDP a worldwide grassroots movement that upholds the UN’s highest ideals. Those who spoke were: Monica Willard of The United Religions Initiative; George D’Angelo of the International Day of Peace Vigil; Chris Ferguson of the World Council of Churches, which designated 21 September as its Day of Prayer for Peace; Michael Johnson of Pathways To Peace; and Rick Ulfik of We, The World, and its 11 Days of Unity campaign.
Monica Willard acknowledged everyone in the audience who had participated in the International Day of Peace in the past, and encouraged expanded observances for 2008. Also acknowledged were Melvin Weiner for getting the International Day of Peace on calendars worldwide beginning in 2009, and Margo LaZaro for enlisting several NGOs in sponsoring a beautiful poster for the Day.
Deborah closed the meeting by thanking all of the excellent speakers, and asking everyone to say together, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”
Following the meeting, NGOs and guests gathered in the UN staff cafeteria to discuss one another’s IDP projects and craft a unified strategy. Many plans emerged for media, marketing and observances in various sectors. A contact list was made of those who will follow up as a strategic task force with weekly conference calls.
The day after the meeting, it was announced that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had recorded a video message to be released on June 13th at the 100-day countdown point to the International Day of Peace. This will mark the first time that the UN has issued a call to observe the Day well in advance, so we are hopeful for a significant expansion of worldwide recognition of the International Day of Peace.
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Submitted by Deborah Moldow
Facilitator, URI-UN
Vice Chair, URI Global Council
