It is truly thrilling to see all the events being planned for the weekend of September 21st all over the world! Here are a few last-minute notes from the United Nations.
We are grateful to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for issuing his statement well in advance, and for calling for the Minute of Silence at 12 noon that we know will circle our globe with our prayers and our love. And of course he speaks compellingly about the theme, Education for Peace. The video message should be on the UN website tomorrow, but the transcript is already available here:
English
http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2013/sgmessage.shtml <http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2013/sgmessage.shtml>
French
http://www.un.org/fr/events/peaceday/2013/sgmessage.shtml <http://www.un.org/fr/events/peaceday/2013/sgmessage.shtml>
Spanish
http://www.un.org/es/events/peaceday/2013/sg_message.shtml <http://www.un.org/es/events/peaceday/2013/sg_message.shtml>
At United Nations headquarters in New York, the banner is up on the fence (see below)! The official International Day of Peace observance will take place this Wednesday, September 18. The Secretary-General will ring the Peace Bell at 9:00 a.m. in the Rose Garden, accompanied by dignitaries including Dr. Jane Goodall and Monique Coleman, as well as young people raising the flags of all nations. Although the ceremony will not be carried live, it will be available shortly thereafter at http://webtv.un.org/.
The program for high school and college students that follows at 9:30 a.m. New York time will also feature Dr. Goodall and Ms. Coleman, along with the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi; the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Angela Kane; a live link to the UN Peacekeeping site in Haiti, music by Ta’Kaiya Blaney and by Technicolor Lenses; and much, much more. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the UN Department of Public Information for all that they have put into making this event a success for the 500 students who will be in attendance and those who will view the webcast around the world.
Educators and others are warmly welcome to watch the student observance live or later in the archives (organized by date) at http://webtv.un.org/.
Blessings to all for an exciting International Day of Peace as together we take our stand for a shining culture of peace for all nations!
May Peace Prevail on Earth!
Love,
Deborah
The IDP NGO Committee
Amb. Anwarul K. Chowdhury – Honorary Chair
Michael Johnson, Deborah Moldow, Shawn Sweeney, Monica Willard – Co-Chairs
Celebrate the UN International Day of Peace, 21 September!