UN International Day of Peace 2013
The United Nations set the theme for this year's observance as "Education for Peace." For a PowerPoint overview of UPF observances, click here.
"It is not enough to teach children how to read, write and count. Education has to cultivate mutual respect for others and the world in which we live, and help people forge more just, inclusive and peaceful societies." - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
- Written by: UPF - Finland
Helsinki, Finland - UPF-Finland and the Africans and African-Europeans Association held a joint program on Sept. 13 commemorating the International Day of Peace and Africa Day with presentations about the views, concerns, and aspirations of young African immigrants.
- Written by: By Ilboudo Paul Mariem, Secretary General, UPF-Niger
Niamey, Niger - In the conference hall of the Hotel Ténéré in Niamey, UPF-Niger held a conference on October 27 on the theme "Education for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Cambodia
Phnom Penh - Cambodia - UPF-Cambodia observed the International Day of Peace, with the cooperation of the Cambodia Japan Support Committee, on September 29 at the Pannasastra International School in the capital, Phnom Penh. Under the theme “Education for Peace,” 120 high school and university students heard presentations about universal moral values.
- Written by: UPF - India
UPF-India held four events commemorating the International Day of Peace 2013, starting in Malda, West Bengal on Sept. 17 and ending in the capital city of New Delhi on Sept. 27.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Berkeley, USA - A forum on "Paths to Peace: Building Compassion and Commitment to Transformation" took place on September 8 at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California. Keynote speakers included Prof. David McGaffey, speaking on "Swords into Plowshares, Enemies into Friends" and Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian on "Compassion Is the Key to Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Bolivia
UPF-Bolivia organized an International Day of Peace program in La Paz on September 14 that featured interreligious ceremonies and prayers and a speech by Dr. Samuel Soria on principles of peace. In Cochabamba, the Youth Federation of Bolivia held a forum on September 22 on the topic "Education for Peace."
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogotá, Colombia - El 28 de septiembre se realizó en Colombia la celebración del Día Internacional de la Paz, la reunión contó con la participación de líderes de diferentes áreas.
- Written by: UPF - Colombia
Bogota, Colombia - An International Day of Peace program on September 28 featured Imam Julian Zapata, co-founder and director of the Islamic Cultural Center in Colombia; Dr. Alexandra Martinez, a lawyer and member of the Presbyterian Church; and Pastor Alfredo Torres, director of the NGO Christians for Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands – An International Day of Peace forum at the Long Islands Hotel in Majuro on September 25 featured Hon. Kessai Note, former President of the Republic of Marshall Islands and now a Senator, as the keynote speaker.
- Written by: UPF - Italy
“It would be better to devote 364 days to peace and only one day to the war, rather than the other way.” These are the words of Carlo Chierico, President of UPF-Monza and Brianza UPF, at an International Day of Peace event on September 21 in Monza. In Bergamo, representatives of various faiths poured water on a "Tree of Peace" that was planted in 2008. In Milan, UPF hosted a program of prayers and music from various faith traditions.
- Written by: UPF - DR Congo
There were three celebrations of the International Day of Peace in DR Congo: in Kinshasa in partnership with the military, police, and civil authorities; in Moanda in Bas-Congo, 700 km from Kinshasa; and in Kikwit in the province of Bandundu, 500 km from Kinshasa.
- Written by: UPF - DR Congo
Il y avait trois célébrations de la Journée Internationale de Paix : A KINSHASA en partenariat avec le militaire, la Police et le Civil ; a MOANDA, dans la Province du Bas-Congo à 700 Km de Kinshasa ; et a Kikwit dans la Province de Bandundu à 550 Km de Kinshasa.
- Written by: UPF - New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand - An International Day of Peace observance in Auckland on September 21 organized by the UPF and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) provided an opportunity for Auckland peace groups to reaffirm their shared values for non-violence, disarmament, and peace, in the community and in the world.
- Written by: UPF - St. Lucia
Castries, St. Lucia - UPF-St. Lucia and the students of Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC) held a March and Rally for Peace on September 20.
- Written by: UPF - Ghana
Accra, Ghana - A busy location in the center of Accra was chosen to inform the public about the International Day of Peace on September 21 and invite them to speak about their understanding of peace. In addition, young people from the Splendors of Dawn Poetry Foundation recited poems about peace.
- Written by: UPF - Sri Lanka
Kaluaggala, Sri Lanka - At St. John Bosco's Central College in Kaluaggala, celebrations of the International Day of Peace on September 20 included an assembly, peace march, and speeches about the UN International Day of Peace and its relevance to Sri Lanka.
- Written by: UPF - Brukina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - La Fédération pour la Paix Universelle Burkina Faso a organisé, du 14 septembre au 22 septembre 2013, une Semaine Nationale de la Paix au Burkina sous le thème « Education pour la Paix. »
- Written by: UPF - Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia - H.E. Salah A. El-Sadek, Ambassador of Egypt to Zambia, hosted an observance of the International Day of Peace at the House of Egypt in Lusaka on September 20.
- Written by: UPF - Nicaragua
Managua, Nicaragua - About 80 people from all walks of the Nicaraguan society gathered on September 21 at the UPF headquarters in Managua to celebrate the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Ukraine
Kiev, Ukraine - UPF-Ukraine organized two projects in observance of the International Day of Peace: making origami cranes with students at the Gymnasium of Oriental Languages and a football match for peace with students at the Kiev University of Law.
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Kanagawa, Japan - In commemoration of the UN International Day of Peace, a cleanup project organized by UPF-Japan and YFWP-Japan (Youth Federation for World Peace) in cooperation with the Kanagawa Coastal Environmental Foundation was held at Wada-Nahama beach on the Miura Peninsula of Kanagawa Prefecture on September 15. This was the seventh year of environmental projects.
- Written by: UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - UPF-Georgia and its partners took part in the celebration of the International Day of Peace with educational programs and tree planting at two schools, a training program in principles of peace, and publicizing the the International Day of Peace by distributing cards to the public
- Written by: UPF - Gabon
Libreville, Gabon - A lecture about education for peace on the theme "The Family as the School of Love and Peace" took place on September 8 in Libreville in observance of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia - UPF-Estonia organized three programs in observance of the UN International Day of Peace, one for students, another for parents and children, and a third for UPF friends.