Dear Culture of Peace InitiativeParticipants and Supporters,

With just days until this year’s global observance of theInternational Day of Peace, we remind everyone of its 3 guiding principles and actions. Peace within - the Minute of Silence at noon in each time zone; Peace without - an Act of Service for Peace that benefits the larger community; and Peace year round - a commitment to a Daily Peace Practice by joining with others to build a worldwide Culture of Peace.

There is lots of news to share. Most items will be brief with links for more information. It is worth noting that many ‘events’ this year will last for several days.

President Barack Obama, the most recent recipient of theNobel Peace Prize, is scheduled toaddress the United Nations’ General Assembly this year on September 21st, the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace. Many heads of state will also be addressing the General Assembly on this day; and it is expected that Laura Chinchilla Miranda, the President of Costa Rica, will be speaking about the International Day of Peace. Costa Rica not only officially recognizes this occasion, but was also the country to introduce the original resolution creating this day, in 1981. With this in mind, we remind everyone that the first four words of the UN charter are: “To maintain international peace…” We look forward to this year’s addresses and observances.

Peace Week 2011,was inspired byPathways To Peaceand is a special program of theCulture of Peace Initiative; it occurs from September 15- 21. You are invited to celebrate Peace Week with inspiring Peacebuilders such as Alice Walker, Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Arun Gandhi, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Avon Mattison, Daniel Goleman, Jane Velez-Mitchell and many more.Peace Week 2011is a global telesummit and its completelyfree! This virtual peace week will offer profound insights that will help create Peace in ones life, family, community and the world. Last year more than 20,000 people registered from 152 countries. Pathways To Peace is delighted to co-sponsor this telesummit, which features dozens of galvanizing and action-oriented sessions all of which are recorded and freely available. When you sign up, you also gain access to the full library of recordings from last year’s peace week. Sign up for free on this linkhttps://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/pwk2PTP/pax Join with participants of theCulture of Peace Initiativeand thousands of others from around the world — all of whom deeply care about the future of our planet and the potential for humanity to make a profound shift from a culture of violence and competition to a Culture of Peace and cooperation.

The 11 Days of Global Unity: This year marks the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11th and the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. The 11 Days of Global Unity spans these observances.The 11 Days ~ 11 Ways Campaignfeatures events around the world by hundreds of organizations and their local affiliates. Each of the 11 days has a theme: Unity, Interdependence, Environment, Economic Justice, Health, Children & Youth, Women, Human Rights, Freedom, Disarmament, and the International Day of Peace. This program is coordinated by We, the Worldhttp://we.net/11daysin cooperation with the United Religions Initiativewww.uri.orgas well as the World Peace Prayer Societywww.worldpeace.organd Pathways To Peacewww.pathwaystopeace.org.

There are already hundreds of events listed on our websiteswww.internationaldayofpeace.organdwww.cultureofpeace.org, representing countries as diverse as: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Cambodia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Ghana, Guam, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States and the Virgin Islands. There will be many more listed by Peace Day. PLEASE POST YOUR EVENTS THERE. Also, there are numerous organizations that each have hundreds (or thousands) of ‘local’ or regional events. Many of these can be found at the following link on our website; some even have their own events listings:http://internationaldayofpeace.org/participate/peace_day_supporters

This year’s observance of the International Day of Peace at UN Headquartersin New York will be held the morning of Sept. 15th (due to logistics). It will feature the ringing of the Peace Bell and an address by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as well as a Moment of Silence for Peace; a ‘Flags of the World’ ceremony lead by the World Peace Prayer Society; and a Youth Event featuring United Nations Messengers of Peace Michael Douglas, who brings a special focus on disarmament; Jane Goodall, who brings a special focus on the environment; and Stevie Wonder, who brings a special focus on people with disabilities - along with several youth ambassadors from UNICEF and other organizations or countries. It will be webcast by the UN atwww.un.org/webcast.

Our Facebook Pagecontains news and postings from all over the world. We have over 36,000 people there. More importantly, hundreds of people and organizations have posted about their Peace Day events on our Facebook page. Please check it out and network with others there. Also feel free to share this Facebook page with friends or members of your organization.www.facebook.com/peaceday

The Minute of Silence for Peace at Noon in All Time Zones- as requested by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon - is a Facebook event that we created. There are already over 13,000 people participating in this one event - along with millions of others worldwide participating through numerous other events. Please join in thisPeace Wave, as it travels around - and envelopes - the world; and please help by inviting friends through this link.https://www.facebook.com/groups/140189526027805/?view=permalink&id=236563086390448#!/event.php?eid=184359108294303

The PeaceDay TV Global Broadcast begins Sept. 17th and runs through Sept. 21st, the International Day of Peace. This 5 day broadcast will be available on thousands of websites and in millions of homes via satellite TV. It features the work of thousands of local and international organizations working for peace and sustainability all across the planet, as well as endorsements and presentations from hundreds of world leaders, public figures and entertainers. One focus will be theUN Millennium Development Goals:End Poverty, Education for All, Gender Equality, Child Mortality, Maternal Health, Combat Disease, The Environment, and Global Partnering. This broadcast can be viewed athttp://www.peaceday.tv/ The celebration will stream live from the website of the United Nations; also, you or your organization can embed this broadcast on your websites through this linkhttp://www.livestream.com/peacedaytv/share. The “Peace Day” 2011 Global Broadcast is produced by Unity Foundationhttp://www.unityfoundation.org/and All Things Peacehttp://www.allthingspeace.org/peaceday.html

Our promotional video for the International Day of Peacehas been updated to reflect this year’s 30th anniversary. Feel free to circulate it in all forms of media to promote your part in this global observance. Please and thank you.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSr2gBsg9dI

The Nonviolent Peace Forceis asking, Will you give one day for peace?” Join those peacekeepers and thousands of others around the world in pledging to do your part to prevent violence and promote peace on September 21, International Day of Peace. Take the pledge athttp://action.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=7914

Amnesty Internationalis holding a series of Peace-In workshops related to the UN International Day of Peace. Topics cover peace and justice, and ensuring human rights; and include: maternal mortality and health care for women, death penalty, immigrants rights, security with human rights, and violence against women.http://www.amnesty.org/

The Peace Corpis celebrating its 50th anniversary this year; and some affiliates are conducting membership drives in conjunction with the International Day of Peace.http://www.peacecorps.gov/

Pinwheels for Peacewill again be the primary ‘Peace Day’ activity in thousands of schools around the world. Last year children created over 3.5 million pinwheels upon which their thoughts about peace were written. These pinwheels were then planted outside so they could spin in the wind and spread thoughts of ‘whirled peace’.www.pinwheelsforpeace.org

The Circle of Peacein Canada helped gain recognition of the International Day of Peace by the Canadian Government. This organization works with many groups on many types of observances of the International Day of Peace. Their home page features a fabulous video about peace, called ‘Light Up the World’.http://nkn.cercledepaix.ca/visits/promo_visit/2313 Many of their events are listed on this facebook linkhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Pacifest-2011/256574041043003

The United Network of Youth Peacebuildersis a global network of 50 youth-led organizations working towards establishing peaceful societies. They will be celebrating the International Day of Peace in The Hague between Sept. 17th and Sept. 23rd.www.unoy.org

Did you know that over the years groups as diverse asThe African Union, The Arab League, NATO, the Taliban,andthe Catholic Churchhave observed or recognized the International Day of Peace?

The United Religions Initiativehas been described as a ‘united nations’ for religious organizations. It is a global community dedicated to promoting daily interfaith cooperation, ending religiously motivated violence and creating cultures of peace, justice and healing. The URI’s hundreds of interfaith circles observe the International Day of Peace in both prayer and action / service.www.uri.org

The World Peace Prayer Societyis dedicated to spreading the message:May Peace Prevail On Earth. They have several programs, including a day long Call to Peace, at their sanctuary in upstate New York on Sept. 25th. Through theirPeace Pole Projectover 200,000 Peace Poles have been planted around the world in the past 20 years with the words May Peace Prevail On Earth inscribed on all 4, 6 or 8 sides - each in a different language. Many Unitarian Churches, Montessori Schools and other organizations have a Peace Pole.www.worldpeace.organdwww.peacepoleproject.org

Danny Garcia of Global Walk Internationalis planning an 11 day walk for children and peace in Costa Rica from Sept. 11 - 21 celebrating 11 Days of Global Unity and the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace. A Peace Pole will be presented on the 21st on behalf of the people of Costa Rica.http://www.globalwalk.cc

Jane Goodall will host a Town Meeting in Washington, DC on the International Day of Peace. Dr. Goodall, will preside over this one-of-a-kind event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace resolution and the annual Roots & Shoots observances of this occasion.http://www.rootsandshoots.org/

The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflictfocuses on the role of civil society in creating peace. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, it is an umbrella group for over 1,000 peacebuilding organizations worldwide. It’sPeople Building Peaceprogram encourages annual observances of the International Day of Peace worldwide.www.gppac.netandhttp://www.peoplebuildingpeace.org/

Here’s an idea that many people can do.Have a peace party! The ingredients are simple, meaningful and easy to remember: 3 F’s and 3 M’s. Friends, Family and Food; Meditation, Meaningful discussion and Monetary contributions. We call it FUNdraising; and we suggest you raise money for 2 causes - one local and one global.

Organize a Free Hugs for World Peaceevent in your city. There are already over 40 cities in 21 countries doing it on Sep 21. A compilation video will be made and put to a “peace” song. Sign up athttps://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=170526556349255 Here’s the promo video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk1JfPNAQYU

The Peace International Foundationwill launch the Hong Kong Peace Festival 2011 from September 18-23rd, including a UN International Day of Peace Ceremony, the Peace International Youth Choir D颵t, a 3-day Peace International Youth Conference, a UN Peace Day Benefit Gala Dinner/Music & Arts Performances/Auction, and an International Cultural Show & Ethnic Food Fair. <http://peace-intl.org>

The Peace Service Center in Nepalhas planned a 5-day long program from Sept. 19-23 to enable and energize all people to plant the seeds of peace for a better and more peaceful world. Events range from a childrens art competition and youth conference with various schools participating to a Peace Prayer and Peace Lamp Lighting in Sacred Places in three different temples on 21 September, then special interfaith prayers in Kathmandu.http://www.globalpeacelight.org/peace-service-center.html

From Argentina:Let the Bells Ring for Peace- and let peace prevail in the whole world and in every person’s heart. We love this one minute youtube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Q4m8C4z5Q&feature=youtu.be

The Peace One Day Celebrationon Sept. 21st at the O2 Arena in London will launch the 365-day countdown to aGlobal Truce on Peace Day 2012. The first of a series of three concerts will feature artists Yusuf (Cat Stevens), Eliza Doolittle, Youssou NDour, Afroreggae, Flawless and the English National Ballet. Speakers will include Jude Law and Peace One Day founder and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley.www.peaceoneday.org

Instruments of Peaceis hosting the “PEACE is the ground we share” International Peace Conference at the Convention Centre in Dublin, Ireland on 21st September 2011, featuring international speakers, music, youth and an open forum.http://www.peacebeginswithme.eu

Peace DayPhilly 2011, Sept. 21, sponsored by the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia, will be the first ever citywide observance of Peace Day for this ‘city of brotherly love’. Mayor Michael A. Nutter said, “As we look forward to the United Nations International Day of Peace, we must focus on creating a unified community where people feel safe. Peace Day is an opportunity to participate in events across the city that promote peace and non-violence.”http://www.una-gp.org/peacedayphilly2011.htm

The 5th Annual Peace Day Parade and Festivalin Honokaa has become a symbol of the fact that the state of Hawaii officially recognizes the International Day of Peace.http://www.peacedayparade.org/

The World Peace Film FestivalSept 20th - 25th in Central Florida is a celebratory event and a place to honor those who promote global and community awareness of peace and environmental sustainability.http://www.peacefilmfest.org/

The Universal Peace Federationlists events in Ghana, Japan, Gabon, Ireland, Peru, Norway, Ecuador, Latvia, Barbados, Thailand, Germany, Argentina, Switzerland and more. The International Day of Peace 2011 comes at a time when peoples and nations around the world are facing challenges of dramatic proportion.www.upf.org/international-day-of-peace-2011

Rotary International, with 34,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, have embraced the call for peace at the grass-roots level by addressing the underlying causes of conflict and violence through thousands of community-based service projects around the world. They are calling for more participation during the period from 9/11 to 9/21, the International Day of Peacewww.rotary.org Here’s an example from Winnipeg, Canada.http://www.rotarywppd5550.org/index.php/blog

International Day of Peace / Peace Pals Art Exhibition / Ambassador of Peace Collection: The Peace Pals Ambassador of Peace collection features artwork of youth between the ages of 5 and 16 representing over 60 countries. Each artwork is a masterpiece giving expression to the inner beauty inherent within the hearts of youth everywhere. Included on each artwork is the message, “May Peace Prevail On Earth”. The Exhibition is made possible through a joint collaboration between theCulture of Peace InitiativeandPeace Pals International. To organize your International Day of Peace Peace Pals Art Exhibition go to:http://www.wppspeacepals.org/idp

Peace X Peacelifts and multiplies women’s voices, strengthens women’s capacity to connect across divides and promotes leadership and gender equality through their global network of peacebuilders in 120 countries. One example is their fundraising to donate wireless computers to women in villages throughout Africa.www.peacexpeace.org Here is their recent newsletter dedicated to the International Day of Peace.PeaceTimes Edition 115: Collaborating for Peace | Peace X Peace

There is an expression in Africa:“Peace Begins with Breakfast.” We dedicate this issue to the millions facing basic survival there - and elsewhere. For many people peace begins with food & water, shelter, clothing and health care. For some people, peace begins with the end of torture, slavery, and other forms of oppression. For some people peace begins with the freedom of speech, education, a job or a creative outlet. For some people peace begins with trust and values, family safety, neighborhood and government cooperation, or a clean environment. For all people peace comprises our hopes and dreams and aspirations.

In closing we present the song“Let There Be Peace On Earth and Let It Begin With Me”, recorded by Vince Gill and accompanied by captivating images and inspirational quotes from Peacebuilders throughout the ages.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPH4LRASWbo&NR=1

May Peace Prevail On Earth

This newsletter is offered by Pathways To Peace, International Secretariat of theCulture of Peace Initiative, and a UN Peace Messenger organization. Pathways To Peace has been involved with the International Day of Peace since it’s inception in 1981 and has nurtured this occasion from a single event of a few hundred people into an annual global observance that is inter-cultural and inter-generational in nature, and that reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Pathways To Peace has created and maintained the dedicated websites for the International Day of Peace and theCulture of Peace Initiative;we produce and distribute this newsletter; we held a successful campaign to have the International Day of Peace listed on most calendars across the globe; we are continually involved with communications and planning about this annual event both inside and beyond UN circles. To learn more about our programs, networks, campaigns and support materials please see our websites.

Pathways ToPeaceis a nonprofit organization, whose work would not be possible without our volunteers and your support. Please click here to donate.

CPICoordinator Michael Johnson
CPI Contributing Writer - Melvin Weiner
CPI Outreach Coordinators - Jordan Loder & Michael Kwan
Pathways ToPeaceis the International Secretariat for theCultureofPeaceInitiative

Dear Culture of Peace Initiative Participants and Supporters,

The International Day of Peace is one month away.  Many observances will start sooner.  One focus of this issue is to help organizations create and disseminate press releases to raise awareness of your Peace Day events - and your year round peacebuilding practices.  Below that is information on some new or significant events - as well as ways to network and promote your organization or efforts for this year’s global observance.

Press Release Tips:
It is important to obtain local media coverage to promote your event for the International Day of Peace.  In fact for many events, local coverage may be the most likely to occur.  Go to the websites of the top newspapers and TV and radio stations in your area to a link that says “Contact Us”, “News Tips” or “Press Releases”.  You should be able to e-mail or paste your press release into a form and submit it. 

The following link may be of assistance to you.  http://www.developer-resource.com/how-to-send-press-releases.htm Sending press releases to on-line newsletters and organizations that have such newsletters, or Facebook pages, or blogs, may also help to promote your event and / or organization.  If your NGO has many local branches (and some of you have hundreds), you may wish to forward your Press Release to these various locations for their own use.

Here is a Press Release Template - that you can use or adapt:

YOUR ORGANIZATION is…  Observing the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21

YOUR CITY / TOWN / LOCATION – This year much of humanity will conduct the largest global observance of the International Day of Peace ever on or around Sept. 21st.  Thousands of organizations and hundreds of millions of people worldwide observe this occasion.  Many events last for several days.  Some will start on this year’s 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001; others will continue through Oct. 2, Gandhi’s birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence.  One focal point across the entire planet will be the minute of silence at 12:00 noon, in all time zones worldwide, on Sept. 21 - as requested by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations.

(DESCRIPTION OF YOUR LOCAL, REGIONAL OR GLOBAL - EVENTS HERE.  POSSIBLY WITH A PHOTO / IMAGE FROM LAST YEAR OR ELSEWHERE.)

(NOTE, PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE WILL HELP EDITORS TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THIS OCCASION AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR EVENTS & ACTIONS - AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO WRITE ABOUT THEM & YOU.)

The International Day of Peace was established by a unanimous resolution of the United Nations in 1981. Its mission is to provide a common time period for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on or near a shared date, and to bring together efforts from around the world whose ultimate focus is to promote peace and sustainability.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.  In recent years, this observance has included significant portions of humanity due to the proliferation of wireless technology, computers and cell phones,

The United Nations announced earlier this year that the theme for this year’s International Day of Peace 2011 is ‘Make Your Voice Heard’.  In doing so it thanked the thousands of organizations who have ‘institutionalized’ this observance worldwide.

Peace Day saves lives.  Nations and governing bodies the world over are joining the call for peace through a range of activities including ceasefires, proclamations, and pledges for humanitarian aid.  Religious groups and educational institutions across the planet are conducting both educational and community service programs.  Many non-government organizations use this occasion as an opportunity to promote their year round efforts, whether their focus is on human rights, the environment, humanitarian relief, poverty, health care, disarmament or international cooperation.  World leaders and public figures call for participation; businesses and professionals create various types of promotions; individuals can participate in many ways - even privately, or with friends and family.  The combination of all of these activities creates long term impact, beyond the annual observance.

One such peacebuilding effort, that (YOUR ORGANIZATION”S NAME) participates with, is the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI), which is a UN-designated Peace Messenger program established by Pathways To Peace that includes thousands of organizations from around the world.  Pathways To Peace has been working with the United Nations to promote the observance of the International Day of Peace since its inception in 1981.  The Culture of Peace Initiative has promoted peace by bringing together previously unseen and unheard voices working towards peace, as well as uniting the strengths of established organizations to help create a worldwide ‘culture of peace’ for future generations.  For more information about Pathways To Peace, the Culture of Peace Initiative, and the International Day of Peace as well as listings of thousands of events worldwide, please visit www.internationaldayofpeace.org ,  www.cultureofpeace.org , andwww.pathwaystopeace.org .

Here is a link to a 3 minute informative and entertaining video about the International Day of Peace.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSr2gBsg9dI

(ADD YOUR ORGANIZATION’S LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION HERE AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR PRESS RELEASE)

####

Updates of significant programs and promotional opportunities:

The EVENT LOCATOR on our websites for 2011 is open for all to use.  Please post your events on our websites www.internationaldayofpeace.org and / or www.cultureofpeace.org .  Events posted on either site automatically show up on the other site.  This will give your event the widest possible global exposure.  Events listed will also be included in our annual Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI) report to the United Nations.  Thank you.

The Peace Wave: There will be a Minute of Silence at Noon in All Time Zones Worldwide, as requested by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN and sponsored by Pathways To Peace on behalf of the Culture of Peace Initiative.  We are a network of thousands of groups working year round to produce and promote practical peacebuilding activities.  Many groups are actively promoting this ‘Minute of Silence’ and tens of millions of people will be doing this.  Together we can envelope the world with a ‘Wave of Peace’.

For those who don’t know, Pathways To Peace initiated this program over 20 years ago - and even called it The Peace Wave back then.  In fact, the idea for the Secretary General’s annual request for the minute of silence at noon in all time zones actually stemmed from this program.  Of course, global technology wasn’t what it is today.  In more ways than one, this is an idea whose time has come.  Peace begins within - but extends to wherever we take it.

Our FACEBOOK PAGE has 35,000 members! People and organizations from all over the world post there - and learn about, and network with, each other.  Check it out.www.facebook.com/peaceday

You CAN NOW SHARE this newsletter on Facebook, Twitter, and Linked In by clicking on the icons at the top of this page - above our logo.

Peace Wave Facebook event: In keeping with the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s request for a Minute of Silence at Noon in All Time Zones Worldwide, we have created a Facebook event for this.  Please invite your Facebook friends to participate and share this.  Together, we can take this ‘viral’ and create a ‘wave’ of peaceful energies surrounding the planet and encompassing all of humanity.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/140189526027805/?id=218384681541622#!/event.php?eid=184359108294303

Peace Day TV will be promoting The Peace Wave: The Minute of Silence at Noon In All Time Zones Worldwide during their Global Peace Day Broadcast.  Every hour throughout the International Day of Peace, their broadcast will issue a reminder for people to do this in their particular time zone.  These reminders will include lists of countries and major cities in the time zone for each hour, as well as public service announcements by world leaders and public figures reminding people to do this.  They will also list organizations that will be promoting this observance to their members.  If you would like your organization listed there, as well as on the International Day of Peace Facebook page, please send the name of your organization topeaceday@comcast.net and melvin@pathwaystopeace.org .  Thank you.

CPI participant: Peace Day TV’s Global Broadcast: The two hour preview show is now available to embed on your website at this link  http://www.livestream.com/peacedaytv/share .  You can also watch the preview at  www.peaceday.tv or at the UN site located at:http://www.un.org/en/events/peaceday/2010/broadcast.shtml .  For more information on this 5 day long broadcast, which will run from Sept. 17 to Sept. 21, please contactunityfoundation1@aol.com .  This broadcast will feature films about people and organizations around the world that are doing something good for humanity, whether it’s about hunger, poverty, humanitarian aid, human rights, the environment, disarmament or international cooperation.

CPI participant:‎ 11 Days of Global Unity: From the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/01 to the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, 9/21, there is a global coalition promoting solutions with 11 themes of change to create a more peaceful, sustainable world.  These are: Unity, Interdependence, Environment, Economic Justice, Health, Children & Youth, Women, Human Rights, Freedom, Disarmament and The International Day of Peace.  Activities will range from volunteer and service programs to educational and interfaith forums.  Organizations can use this opportunity to promote their year round focus and / or particular aspect of the worldwide shift toward a ‘culture of peace’.   http://we.net/11days Also, here is a link to their press release, in case this is of interest.  11 Days of Global Unity Press Release June 20, 2011

A Special CPI Program!  International Day of Peace / Peace Pals Art Exhibition / Ambassador of Peace Collection: As we approach the International Day of Peace, tens of thousands of events are being planned worldwide to focus on, educate and celebrate the theme of Peacebuilding.  The Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI) is especially pleased this year to offer you the opportunity to host and exhibit the artwork of youth from around the world as part of your International Day of Peace program.  The Peace Pals Ambassador of Peace collection features artwork of youth between the ages of 5 and 16 representing 63 countries of the world.  Each artwork is a masterpiece giving expression to the hope, aspirations and inner beauty inherent within the hearts of youth everywhere. Included on each artwork is the message, “May Peace Prevail On Earth”. The Exhibition is made possible through a joint collaboration between theCulture of Peace Initiative (CPI) and Peace Pals International. To read more about how to organize your International Day of Peace -  Peace Pals Art Exhibition go to: http://www.wppspeacepals.org/idp

Our PROMOTIONAL VIDEO for the International Day of Peace has been updated to reflectthis year’s 30th anniversary.  Feel free to circulate it in - and to - all forms of media.  After all, The International Day of Peace is just a few weeks away.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSr2gBsg9dI

Dedication: We dedicate this issue to Grandfather William Commanda, the Algonquin spiritual leader, who passed away recently at the age of 97.  Elder Commanda was honored at the International Day of Peace ceremonies in Montreal, as “Pacifist of the Year” on September 21, 2006.  An Algonquin Elder from Kitigan Zibi Reserve, the great, great grandson of Pakinawatik, the hereditary Anishinabe chief who led his people to settle in their traditional hunting and trapping grounds in the Ottawa River area in the mid eighteen hundreds, Elder Commanda was also Keeper of three Wampum Belts of sacred and historic importance: the Seven Fires Prophecy Belt about choice, the 1700’s Belt about sharing, and the 1793 Jay Treaty Border Crossing Belt about borderlessness.

More recently, Elder Commanda worked with Cercle de Paix – Circle of Peace, which represents Pathways To Peace and The Culture of Peace Initiative in Canada.www.circleofpeace.ca He actively promoted a “Culture of Peace” as he pursued his Vision for the Development of A Healing and Peace Building Centre on the traditional Spiritual Meeting Grounds of the Anishnabec People until the very end.  Migwetch for your teachings Grandfather and for being such an example to us all. http://www.angelfire.com/ns/circleofallnations/page2.html  

May Peace Prevail On Earth

This newsletter is offered by Pathways To Peace, International Secretariat of the Culture of Peace Initiative, and a UN Peace Messenger organization. Pathways To Peace has been involved with the International Day of Peace since it’s inception in 1981 and has nurtured this occasion from a single event of a few hundred people into an annual global observance that is inter-cultural and inter-generational in nature, and that reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Pathways To Peace has created and maintained the dedicated websites for the International Day of Peace and the Culture of Peace Initiative; we produce and distribute this newsletter; we held a successful campaign to have the International Day of Peace listed on most calendars across the globe; we are continually involved with communications and planning about this annual event both inside and beyond UN circles. To learn more about our programs, networks, campaigns and support materials please see our websites.

Pathways To Peace is a nonprofit organization, whose work would not be possible without our volunteers and your support.   Please click here to donate.

CPI Coordinator Michael Johnson
CPI Contributing Writer - Melvin Weiner
CPI Outreach Coordinators - Jordan Loder & Michael Kwan
Pathways To Peace is the International Secretariat for the Culture of Peace Initiative