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 - Paraguay
Asuncion, Paraguay - A seminar on the theme of "Education for Peace" took place on September 20 at the headquarters of UPF in Asuncion with a speech on the theme by Dra. Gladys Molinas Montiel, Vice President of Sun Moon University.
- Written by: UPF - Solomon Islands
Honiara, Solomon Islands - UPF-Solomon Islands organized an education program on Sept. 23, 2013 on the International Day of Peace in partnership with Women's Voice, a national NGO voicing the concerns of women and children.
- Written by: UPF - Dominican Republic
Bonao, Dominican Republic - UPF organized a celebration of the International Day of Peace in Bonao, in Monsinor Nouel province.
- Written by: UPF - Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica - UPF-Costa Rica was part of the Peace Network that organized a peace fair on September 20 at the Plaza de la Cultura in San Jose in celebration of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: UPF - Austria
Vienna, Austria - Nobel laureate Rigoberta Menchú delivered the keynote address at the celebration of the International Day of Peace on Sept. 20, 2013 at the Vienna International Centre.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - A celebration of the International Day of Peace took place on September 20 at the National Assembly's former Senate Hall.
- Written by: UPF - Costa Rica
San Jose, Costa Rica - Con una feria de paz en la Plaza de la Cultura, se celebró el Día internacional de la paz en Costa Rica el 20 de septiembre.
- Written by: UPF - Peru
Lima, Peru - UPF-Peru celebrated the International Day of Peace in the Congress on September 25. Speakers included the UN Representative, Sra. Rebecca Arias; Congressman Dr. Yonhy Lescano; the Ambassador for Palestine in Peru and Ecuador, Dr. Walid Abdel Rahim; and Dr. Antero Flores Araoz, former Minister of Defense. There was also an Interreligious candle lighting ceremony.
- Written by: UPF - Netherlands
UPF-Netherlands organized International Day of Peace 2013 events in Nijmegen and The Hague.
- Written by: UPF International
The Universal Peace Federation enthusiastically affirms the United Nations International Day of Peace 2013 theme of "Education for Peace." As stated in UNESCO's Constitution, "It is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed." Through formal and informal processes of education, each of us is led, guided, and raised up, by parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and colleagues.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Preparatory to the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Nigeria collaborated with the Diamond Crest Foundation (For Youth Education) to host a two-day National Conference July 24-25 on the theme of Education and Youth Development as Tools for Promoting Peace, National Development and Unity.
- Written by: UPF - Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria - A National Peacebuilding Convocation on Sept. 21 in Abuja featured a keynote speech on “The Role of Education in Building a Culture of Peace and Fostering Global Citizenship.”
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic - The International Day of Peace was observed at a September 18 conference organized by UPF-Czech Republic in partnership with the Civic Institute and Society for Interreligious Dialogue. The conference was hosted by the Cevro Liberal Institute in Prague.
- Written by: UPF - Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - "Universal love as a path towards peace" is the motto of the fifth annual International Poetry Contest organized by UPF-Argentina in connection with the International Day of Peace 2013, a date set by the UN in 1981 to "commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace in every nation and every people and among them."