UN International Day of Peace 2008
The UN's theme for the International Day of Peace in 2008 was "Human Rights and Peacekeeping." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Anchorage, Alaska, USA - Volunteers celebrated the International Day of Peace with an enthusiastic “Honk for Peace” rally.
- Written by: UPF - Jordan
Amman, Jordan - A football tournament brought together youth from diverse communities.
- Written by: UPF-Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium - Representatives of various religions expressed their views on how to develop peace.
- Written by: UFP-India
Agartala, India - As bomb blasts and Hindu-Christian conflicts continue, people witnessed a gesture of unity and friendship.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA - Thirty activists and faith leaders gathered for prayers, readings, and fellowship.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Little Rock, Arkansas, USA - Twenty-five people from the Sikh community, the Family Church, and the Islamic Center joined to clean a clinic.
- Written by: Ernesto Orbegoso Linares, UPF - Paraguay
Asunción, Paraguay - The International Day of Peace was celebrated in the former Senate Chamber in the historic Cabildo.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - A Marae, a sacred place for the Maori people, was the site of music, dances, a martial arts demonstration, and prayers for peace.
- Written by: UPF - Azerbaijan
Baku, Azerbaijan - The International Day of Peace was celebrated at the NGO Forum Office.
- Written by: Marty Miller, Coordinator for Ambassadors for Peace, Mid-Hudson Valley, New York State, USA
Barrytown, New York, USA - Can a small group, in a small town, of highly motivated and empowered people create a model for the world?
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The UN Information Centre Director joined community leaders in planting an olive tree symbolizing peace.
- Written by: UPF-USA
Monrovia, California, USA - In a “Pinwheels for Peace” art project, young people decorated pinwheels with messages of peace.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Los Angeles, California, USA - Holiness Vishwaguru Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda joined local celebrations.
- Written by: UPF-Cameroon
Yaoundé, Cameroon - Peace lovers attended a rally and then went to serve at a rehabilitation center.
- Written by: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - Volunteers gathered for a three-day service project at the San Martin Orphanage.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Denver, Colorado, USA - Leaders from the local United Nations Association and diverse faith traditions offered prayers for peace.
- Written by: Eugene Ahondjo, Secretary General, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire
Agboville, Cote d'lvoire - Peace activists cleaned a hospital grounds and participated in a football match for peace.
- Written by: UPF-Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - A UN representative read a speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
- Written by: UPF - Fiji
Suva, Fiji - Children at a school for the deaf enjoyed crafts projects on the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - France
Lyon & Vannes, France - Interreligious harmony, family values, and cultural traditions were celebrated.
- Written by: UPF - Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana - UPF-Guyana co-sponsored a peace walk, rally, and prayers of different religions.
- Written by: UPF - China
Hong Kong, China - Seventy people gathered for a seminar on World Peace and Development.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Chicago, Illinois, USA - The Jericho Walk on the south side of Chicago was a testament to the passion and commitment of its participants.
- Written by: Shine Jose, UPF-India
Chennai, India - UPF, Religious Youth Service, and Loyola College held a joint commemoration of the International Day of Peace with a peace walk, distribution of flowers for peace, interreligious prayers, music for peace, peace talks, and releasing peace balloons.