UN International Day of Peace 2010
The International Day of Peace 2010 focused on youth and development, under the slogan: "Peace = Future." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on youth everywhere to "Expand on your work to build peace. Share your plans and ideas, with creativity and passion. The world's concerns will soon be in your hands." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
- Written by: UPF International
A number of UPF chapters organized celebrations of the UN International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2010, in conjunction with local UN offices.
- Written by: UPF - Seychelles
Victoria, Seychelles - UPF-Seychelles commemorated the International Day of Peace on September 25 with a program at the National Theater on the theme "Community Building for the Betterment of the People."
- Written by: UPF - Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - Dr. Markendey Rai, Chief of Global Parliamentarians, gave the keynote address at UPF-Kenya's celebration of the International Day of Peace on September 21. Dr. Hasmukh Dawda, Chair of UPF-Kenya welcomed the audience, which included Youth Ambassadors for Peace and members of "Veterans for Peace."
- Written by: UPF, RYS-India
The UPF and the Religious Youth Service, in association with the Federation of Gandhian Institutions, commemorated the International Day of Peace in Chennai, India on September 21. Interreligious prayers for world peace, nonviolence and ceasefire, and a candlelight vigil marked this occasion.
- Written by: UPF - Mongolia
- Written by: Raúl Rey Banegas, UPF-Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - UPF-Uruguay organized an interreligious, summit Oct. 5, 2010 on the theme of "The Contribution of Religions to the Search for Peace."
- Written by: UPF-Congo
Brazzaville, Congo - UPF-Congo organized a commemoration of the International Day of Peace on September 21 in the Congressional Palace. The 300 participants included Ambassadors for Peace, students, and NGO representatives.
- Written by: Shigenari Kato, UPF-Japan
Tokyo, Japan - UPF-Japan organized a commemorative event for the International Day of Peace in Tokyo September 30 on the theme of “Youth for Peace and Development.” More than 50 people participated in this 39th Ambassadors for Peace meeting.
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia - At the initiative of Ambassador for Peace Rev. Luis Fernando Sanmiguel from the Presbyterian Church, a march and prayer for peace took place on the International Day of Peace, September 21.
- Written by: UPF - Ghana
Accra, Ghana - Letters were sent to Ambassadors for Peace from various religions and religious bodies inviting them to participate in an interreligious forum on the UN International Day of Peace, September 21 focusing on the proposal to establish an interreligious council at the United Nations.
- Written by: UPF - Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Several days of celebration included sports, a blood donation drive, and youth character education with an emphasis on AIDS prevention. Programs were held in four provinces of Burkina Faso: Djubo, Kaya, Nanoro and Ouagadougou.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina – UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21 with a musical, cultural, and interreligious event at the Peace Embassy in Buenos Aires. Prizes were also awarded in the poetry competition on the theme of “Cultures: Values and Integration for Peace,” organized in honor of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures.
- Written by: UPF - Australia
- Written by: UPF - Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia - UPF-Zambia observed the UN International Day of Peace, September 21, with prayers for peace, reading peace messages, and offering a toast for peace.
- Written by: Friederike Stoecklein, UPF-Germany
Munich, Germany - On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, the local UPF community in Munich gathered together people from different faiths under the motto “Prayer for Peace and Meditations of the Religions” on September 21. There were four presentations and a round-table discussion, as well as a meditative lighting of candles.
- Written by: UPF - Russia
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - Young Ambassadors for Peace went to the main street of the city on September 25 and appealed to citizens to donate to the Rehabilitation Center, which provides social support for people with no fixed dwelling.
- Written by: UPF - Latvia
Riga, Latvia - The Peace Embassy in Latvia was the venue for a friendly meeting on September 25 dedicated to the Day of Peace. People talked about their dreams of peace, played cooperative games, and expressed their musical and artistic talents.
- Written by: UPF - Armenia
Yerevan, Armenia - The International Day of Peace celebrations in school № 194 on September 21 included singing, dancing, and artwork for the students, followed by a presentation to teachers about peacemaking activities.
- Written by: UPF - Philippines
Davao and Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - To commemorate the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Davao, in collaboration of the Department Education and its NGO partners, organized a Peace Forum at the Philippine College of Technology on September 20. The following day, UPF-Cagayan de Oro City organized a conference on the theme of “Celebrating Diversity of Race, Tradition, and Culture towards Achieving Peace and Development through a Culture of Heart.”
- Written by: Delia C. Javanasundara, UPF-Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - Approximately 200,000 students, teachers, and parents joined the “One Minute of Silence” campaign to commemorate the International Day of Peace in Thailand on September 21.
- Written by: T. Yoshizumi, UPF-Finland
Helsinki, Finland - For the International Day of Peace, UPF-Finland held a seminar on September 21 on “Youth, Peace and Development.” After a presentation about Principles of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution, five people described programs that encourage young people to get involved in peace and development activities.
- Written by: Umberto Angelucci, UPF-Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan - Young people from enemy tribes and antagonistic Muslim sects came together to listen to messages of peace and enjoy traditional Afghan dances in an International Day of Peace celebration on September 24.
- Written by: Ndilmbaye Nekar, Secretary General, UPF-Chad
N'Djamena, Chad - UPF celebrated the Week of Peace and Security in Africa, September 13-21, together with government of Chad, the United Nations, and the African Union. The program under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Chief of Government of Chad, H.E. Emmanuel Nadingar included traditional dances, speeches, a parade, poetry, and a Football for Peace match.
- Written by: Ronald McGarrell, UPF-Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana - Ambassadors for Peace and associates held a Peace Walk on September 19, 2010, commemorating the International Day of Peace. Marching through streets of the city Georgetown participants arrived at the National Park for a rally addressed by Hon. Samuel Hinds, the Prime Minister of Guyana.