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 - Brazil
São Paulo, Brazil - Representatives of many sectors of society came together to call for peace.
- Written by: UPF - Cambodia
Phnom Penh, Cambodia - About a hundred university students attended an International Day of Peace celebration.
- Written by: Trevor Jones, Executive Director, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru - People from all walks of life came to share their hopes and aspirations for peace on the International Day of Peace.
- 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-Philippines
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines - Different ethnic groups performed traditional dances at the Global Peace Festival in Mindanao.
- Written by: UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - The UN Information Centre Director joined community leaders in planting an olive tree symbolizing peace.
- Written by: Muhammad Tahir Tabassum Founder/Executive Director, Institute of Peace and Development
Pakistan - Two organizations have agreed to work together to promote peacebuilding and peacemaking initiatives.
- Written by: UPF-Tanzania
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania - A UN representative read a speech by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
- 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
Monrovia, California, USA - In a “Pinwheels for Peace” art project, young people decorated pinwheels with messages of peace.
- Written by: UPF-Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium - Representatives of various religions expressed their views on how to develop peace.
- Written by: Ray Banegas, Secretary General, UPF-Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay - "Building a Culture of Peace" was the theme of the peace celebration at the Uruguay National Garden.
- Written by: UPF-Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia - The video "Quest for Peace" was shown at an Ambassadors for Peace meeting.
- Written by: Remy Taupier, UPF-St. Lucia
St. Lucia - “What can we do to promote world peace?” “Go home and love your family!”
- Written by: UPF-Cameroon
Yaoundé, Cameroon - Peace lovers attended a rally and then went to serve at a rehabilitation center.
- Written by: Mrs. Tanui, UPF-Somalia
Mogadishu, Somalia - Somalis celebrated the International Day of Peace by reading passages about peace from the holy scriptures.
- Written by: David Butukanga Kwete, Secretary General, UPF-Niger
Niamey, Niger - Ambassadors for Peace attended a peace celebration at the Sofitel Gaweye Hotel.
- 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: Jesus Navarro, Secretary General, UPF-Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela - Volunteers gathered for a three-day service project at the San Martin Orphanage.
- Written by: UPF-Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya - The International Day of Peace 2008 was celebrated at the Peace House.
- 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 International
UPF chapters organized celebrations of the UN International Day of Peace, Sept. 21, 2008, in 58 nations. The UN set the theme for 2008 as "Human Rights and Peacekeeping."