UN International Day of Peace
Each year on September 21, the UN invites all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities and commemorate the International Day of Peace through education and public awareness on issues related to peace. In the quest for peace, UPF and its Ambassadors for Peace around the world organize commemorations of the International Day of Peace each year.
- 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: UPF - USA
Los Angeles, California, USA - Holiness Vishwaguru Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda joined local celebrations.
- Written by: UPF - USA
New Jersey, USA - Faith leaders embarked on a "Peace Boat" and offered prayers for peace in front of the Statue of Liberty and the UN.
- Written by: Graeme Carmichael, UPF International
New York, New York - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon kicked off the 2008 celebration of the International Day of Peace with a traditional peace bell ringing ceremony on Sept. 23, 2008.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Paradise Valley, Arizona, USA - Thirty activists and faith leaders gathered for prayers, readings, and fellowship.
- Written by: UPF - USA
Denver, Colorado, USA - Leaders from the local United Nations Association and diverse faith traditions offered prayers for peace.
- 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: UPF - USA
Madison, Wisconsin, USA - The bright autumn day was a perfect setting for the International Day of Peace Rally at the state capitol.
- Written by: UPF - Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic - A celebration took place with the theme, "When we change, the world changes."
- Written by: UPF - Jordan
Amman, Jordan - A football tournament brought together youth from diverse communities.
- Written by: Delia Javanasundara, UPF-Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand - The International Day of Peace was celebrated at a conference with participants from 18 countries.
- Written by: UPF - Nepal
Kathmandu & Pokhara, Nepal - The International Day of Peace was celebrated with clean-up programs in two cities.
- Written by: Cesar Regalado, UPF - Dominican Republic
Higuey, Dominican Republic - A thousand people celebrated the International Day of Peace at the National University.
- Written by: UPF - Honduras
Tegucigalpa, Honduras - Leaders from all aspects of society celebrated peace together.
- Written by: UPF - Norway
Oslo, Norway - Speeches and cultural performances marked the International Day of Peace celebration.
- Written by: UPF - Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia - Repairs were made to the road to the Baralaston Park School on Sept. 21, 2008, prior to a celebration of the International Day of Peace at the 15 Acres Church in Lusaka.
- Written by: UPF - Guyana
Georgetown, Guyana - UPF-Guyana co-sponsored a peace walk, rally, and prayers of different religions.
- Written by: Dena Parfait, UPF - Mali
Bamako, Mali - International Day of Peace celebrations began with tree planting and cleaning hospital grounds and culminated with a peace march.
- Written by: Patrick Jouan, UPF-Monaco
Monaco - A hundred people met to enjoy classical music and listen to leaders of different religions discuss peace.
- Written by: UPF - Chad
N’djamena, Chad - Ambassadors for Peace planted trees, participated in lectures and discussions, and organized a women's football match in the national stadium in commemoration of the International Day of Peace.
- Written by: Vitaly Maksimov, UPF - Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - Orphans and displaced Abkhazia children participated in arts, games, contests, and sports during a day dedicated to peace.
- Written by: Kaori Phillips, UPF - Israel
Jerusalem & Haifa, Israel - Enthusiastic volunteers brought a public garden back to life for the sake of the people living nearby.
- Written by: UPF - Japan
Nagoya & Arakawa, Japan - A prayer meeting was held, and youth volunteers mowed and picked up trash along a river.
- Written by: UPF - Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador - Diplomats and educators, civic, and NGO leaders attended a celebration at the National Congress.