Have you made plans for an event in your community? Please share your event, no matter how small.  Let’s make Peace Day, September 21, a day to remember for future generations.

Share your event on our 2010 calendar or find an event nearby!
For inspiration, see our 2009 CPI Report!

This year, the Culture of Peace Initiative’s (CPI) special 2010 project is “International Positive Week” (September 20 - 26), a celebration and global initiative in conjunction with Celebrate Positive, the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI) and the United Nation’s International Day of Peace.

This special program focuses on the 2010 UN NGO Positive Peace Awards (The Voting Academy includes Pathways To Peace, Rotary International and Sister Cities International).  The goal of this week is to celebrate and shine the light on the world’s most positive Communities, Athletes, Entertainers, Schools, and Businesses, while promoting the message of World Peace.

Please take a minute to share your nomination for most Positive Community or Business. We invite you to nominate your own!

During International Positive Week, different categories of “Positive Peace” will be highlighted each day during the week-long celebration.

• September 20 (Monday):  Positive Business Day:
• September 21 (Tuesday):  Positive Entertainer Day (International Day of Peace)
• September 22 (Wednesday):  Positive Community Day
• September 23 (Thursday):  Positive School Day
• September 24 - 26 (Friday - Sunday):  Positive Sports Weekend

Want to learn more? Explore the Celebrate Positive website!

Thank you for being a pathway to Peace,
Your dedicated Team at CPI

All works of love are works of peace. — Mother Theresa
________________

The Joan Kenley show’s latest radio program is called Avatar:  The Meaning and the Message.  The story has so many implications for our world right now. Beyond the issues of right and wrong, good and evil, and choices of all kinds - Avatar also looks at what the deep connection to nature, plants, animals, and one another can mean for mankind.  We encourage you to listen to it!

Volunteers For Peace (VFP) provides an opportunity to hundreds of people every year, to work for peace throughout the year.

I participated in my first voluntary service project in 1990 in Rutland, Vermont. We were a microcosm of the world; 12 volunteers from 8 countries living together for three weeks while renovating a huge house into a half-way house. The frequent  conversations with Russians, Czechs, Germans, Slovaks, Italians and others about our dreams for the future, the environment, the cold war, the purpose of religion, and life provided a unique perspective for viewing local and international events throughout my life.

VFP offers over 3000 international voluntary service projects in more than 100 countries each year. Many of these take place in the summer months and all of them offer affordable opportunities to learn about other cultures and places while working together on a common project. Fast and deep friendships are also a part of every program and the result is a world without borders. VFP projects build a world where there is no “us” and “them” because you become one. They make it impossible to hear about a natural disaster in Thailand, or an overthrow of the President in Kazakistan, or what the French think of Americans and not wonder if your friends are involved. International programs and friendships change lives.

These international projects (you can view them at www.vfp.org) also enhance peace by attacking poverty, one of the fundamental causes of distress and violence. Programs often have participants helping provide services and structures that simply would not be possible without the time and energy of dedicated volunteers. What could be more powerful than building a school in Ghana, or helping with relief work in Haiti, building AIDS awareness in Vietnam, or helping with a drama camp for less advantaged kids in Italy?

As we move toward another International Day of Peace I am eagerly awaiting my next group of volunteers who will descend on Shelburne, Vermont for three weeks this summer. I can’t wait for the conversations, shared meals, common dreams and friendships that will grow as we work together and discover or common desires. Having organized and participated in many projects I can say it is true; wherever you are and whoever you are the most basic dream is to live in peace.

Megan Brook

Volunteers of Shanti Fund and school administrators from Long Island collaborated to carry out Peace programs in their schools, with each school representing a unique theme from the Peace Wheel!

We would love to hear of your Peace practices! Will you share your “Peace Practice” with us on our online community?  We’ll post some of our favorites on this blog!

Activities being suggested/planned are interconnected pathways that transcend nationality, ethnicity, race, religion, age or gender.  This may be reflected in any of the following sub-themes:

1.  Peace through Culture and Diversity

2.  Peace through Economy and Business

3.  Peace through Education

4.  Peace through Environment and Habitat

5.  Peace through Governance/Law/Security

6.  Peace through Health and Relationships

7.  Peace through Literacy

8.  Peace through Media

9.  Peace through Music

10.  Peace through Religions and Spiritual Teachings

11.  Peace through Science and Technology

Read more!

U N I T E D N A T I O N S
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

One hundred days from today, the world will mark the International Day of Peace – a day on which armed conflict is meant to be stilled… a day on which we appeal to combatants to observe a ceasefire… a day on which we reaffirm commitment to non-violence and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

This year’s observance, which takes place on 21 September, focuses on youth and development, under the slogan: “Peace = Future.”

Young people already play a crucial role in working for peace. Yet I know they can do even more. So this International Day comes with a challenge for young people everywhere: Expand on your work to build peace. Share your plans and ideas, with creativity and passion. The world’s concerns will soon be in your hands.

This year, the International Day of Peace coincides with the Summit I am convening to boost progress towards the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Achieving the goals is essential for ending armed conflict and building sustainable peace. I hope the voices of young people will be heard at the Summit and in the run-up to it.

Over the next 100 days, I urge young people to plan projects that can help create the conditions for peace in their communities, in their schools, in their countries. We need your voice and commitment, and we will share your stories with the world.

As we start the countdown to the International Day of Peace, we recognize two truths: Only in a peaceful environment will young people realize their full potential – and young people have the potential to start building that peaceful world today.

Every year, youth from around the world celebrate the International Day of Peace at the UN.

Dear Culture of Peace Initiative Participants (CPI),

The UN Department of Public Information, along with a number of NGOs around the world, have chosen the theme Youth, Peace and Development for this year’s observance of the International Day of Peace.  The concept behind this is to connect the Millennium Development Goals and the UN International Year of Youth with the International Day of Peace.  The Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are based upon the premise that development must be for peace.  A summit on the Millennium Development Goals will be held at UN headquarters Sept. 20 - 22; www.un.org/millenniumgoals .  As part of this, the Stand Up Campaign has shifted its three day worldwide mobilization to Sept. 17-19; last year over 100 million people participated in this event. www.standagainstpoverty.org

Due to the MDG summit, the UN ceremonies for the International Day of Peace will take place on Friday, Sept. 17th.  These will include the annual ringing of the Peace Bell by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the student observance, and possibly student participation in the Stand Up Campaign.

100-Day Countdown

The UN’s 100-Day Countdown to the IDP begins on June 13th.  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver a message about the International Day of Peace, during which he will ask all nations and people to prepare for this year’s observance.  Some of the UN Messengers of Peace - celebrities and world leaders - will also be involved.

Will you join us in the 100 Day Countdown?

We are asking member organizations of the Culture of Peace Initiative to conduct their own 100-Day Countdowns in order to engage your networks to also make plans for this occasion.  Among us, all segments of civil society will be involved in this process, including: religious and volunteer groups; NGO’s representating many aspects of Peacebuilding - from care of the environment to promoting human rights; educational institutions; local and grassroots organizations; families and private citizens; businesses and professionals; and the media.

This year marks the close of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace.  Let us use this occasion to set the stage for a more widespread and universal observance of the International Day of Peace in future years - observances that showcase sustainable solutions and create practical acts of Peacebuilding.

2010:  Africa’s Year of Peace and Security

The African Union has asked it’s 53 nation members to observe the International Day of Peace this year - among all nations, cultures and families.  The African Union expects that a day of ceasefire in conflict zones will allow for humanitarian relief, such as vital food, water, mosquito nets and other emergency supplies to be provided to people in those areas.  2010 is Africa’s “Year of Peace and Security” which will culminate on the International Day of Peace, and enable Africans to continue making Peace through education, awareness-raising and empowerment.

Presenting…  the CPI Report on Peace Day 2009!

Michael Johnson of Pathways To Peace presented the 2009 annual report of the Culture of Peace Initiative on the International Day of Peace to the UN in April.  This report is available at www.internationaldayofpeace.org and www.cultureofpeace.org. View the report by regions around the world! http://bit.ly/cpi_reports

CPI Online Community

In the run up to the 100 day countdown, we encourage you to make connections through the CPI online community: http://bit.ly/cpi_group.  The group includes an ever-growing list of more than 500 organization profiles and peacebuilding resources and solutions.  The group map can show you Peacebuilders and organizations from around the world, who are part of the CPI network!  Our community is hosted on WiserEarth.org, now available in French, Spanish and Portuguese!

Please join and make your presence known on - the International Day of Peace Facebook page. Can you help us reach 20,000 people this week?

Michael Johnson represented Pathways To Peace at the recent UN Summit of Indigenous Peoples on April 20 and plans to encourage indigenous cultures worldwide to observe the International Day of Peace.

You are a pathway to Peace!

We recycle and have a compost pile for our garden. We use less and less plastic. & the plastic we get from out shopping is reused before it is recycled. We buy less and less and live more simply. We will not put chemicals on our lawn. - Dana Meckstroth-Brown

Although we live in London we have created our nature garden with a pond, bird feeders/animal homes etc and planted nothing but wild flowers to encourage the cycle. My grandchildren love it as I try to pass on the message about protecting our Earth for the future generations…. My biggest concession? I gave up my car and now we only use public transport or our bikes! Earth day should not be just one day but EVERY DAY! - Nicky Harwood Ditto Dana

In addition to my own recycling and personal shrinking footprint, we have created a Green Committee at the school where I teach. Over this school year, we have raised awareness of the elementary students there. We will hold a campus clean up on Earth day, but recycle and conserve everyday! - Esta Levine

Now, if we could only get all the businesses to get pollution under control and to recycle, we might have this thing licked! We’ve been recycling for many years, but more action is needed. - Marie Zarankevich

We have a recycling effort through our church. We have a newspaper collection every week, from the congregation and from the church office. Even picking up from a nearby nursing home, we collect printer ink cartridges for recycling. At home I use green cleaning products and learning to use Insects to keep my gardens healthy. Every little bit helps, and no matter how much you do, you can always do more. Challenge yourself to find a new green way everyday! - Bette-Jo Fordham

When I walk my dog, I (sometimes) take a trash picker thing with me and a bag to pick up the litter.. its always full before I get home! - Eva Maria Caraher

It is important to have respect for and build peace with all parts of our environment - earth, water, air, plants, animals, people and systems. To be conscious of and present in our relations with all of these….. On Earth Day I will be at the UN attending planning meetings for Peace Day - Melvin Weiner

Share your commitments for our 1 planet. Tell us where you’re from - we’ll feature some of your comments on an Earth Day blog post on the International Day of Peace & Culture of Peace Initiative website! Check out Earth Day Network to get involved!

We are at the 6 month countdown to Peace Day 2010!

Here is our idea to help you start thinking about Peace Day in your community! On the weekend of May 1-2, let’s begin by simply connecting with local neighbors and residents, to prepare for Peace Day on the week of September 21. Start meeting new people who are interested in Peace issues, by organizing a group meeting or event.  Ask friends or fellow co-workers to help.  Here are 9 ways to get the ball rolling:

1.  Have coffee… or tea.
2.  Host a film screening.
3.  Invite a guest speaker.
4.  Setup a volunteer event.
5.  Pass around a contact sheet for those interested in Peace Day, at events, crowds or classrooms.
6.  Invite local nonprofits who work on “Peace” issues in your community.
7.  Meet at a home, school, office, church, bookstore, bar, yoga studio or cafe!
8.  Call the event/meet-up “Peace in (your city/town)”.
9.  Organize a monthly “Peace” themed event.

Suggestion:  Create a new Facebook page to promote meeting(s) and the build-up to Peace Day 2010.  For example:  ”Peace Day in (city/town)“.  Share with us your page if you do!  We’ll link to your page, to help others find you!

CPI will continue to share ideas, updates and highlights of the build-up to Peace Day online and through our newsletters.  By the way, our Facebook page has nearly 19,000 participants! www.facebook.com/peaceday.

UN Observances and theme:  Representatives from organizations within CPI are working with the United Nations Deptartment of Public Information on this year’s theme for the International Day of Peace.  Human rights, environmental sustainability and the Millennium Development Goals are all being considered.  We will keep everyone informed when a theme is announced.

Peace Day Global Broadcast:  The Unity Foundation is seeking submissions for the 2nd annual Peace Day Global Broadcast, subtitled: Building Peace Through Sustainability.  This year’s focus will be on the Millennium Development Goals.  To learn more go to www.peaceday.tv.

The Music4Peace Initiative and Tour aims to educate, empower, and improve the world, by striving to eradicate hunger and violence while providing clean water.  The first events announced for the 2010 tour include: a Hip Hop Summit in South Africa during the FIFA World Cup in June, and the Gandhi Tour in Brazil on the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21st.  Music4Peace has also announced the launch of a Film 4 Peace Contest.  Visit www.music4peacetour.com for more details.

You are a pathway to Peace,
Your dedicated Team at CPI

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” - Gandhi

The tour is a “global Initiative created with the intent to arise social change by uniting people through the universal language of music.” See Music4Peace Lounge flyer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Juliette Harris

310-577-1122

THE GANDHI LEGACY IS ALIVE AND PERPETUATING WITH RUSSELL SIMMONS, DR. BEN CHAVIS, SMI/SWAGGMEDIA.COM AND MUSIC 4 PEACE AS THEY ANNOUNCE ALIGNMENT WITH SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT FOR THE WORLD CUP, AND TOURING INDIA AND BRAZIL

Music4Peace Tour is Comprised of Four Nonprofits; Music 4 Peace, Hip Hop Summit/Action Network, Gandhi Tour & Tribes of the World

(Los Angeles, CA) Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – “The way to create change is to empower,” stated civil rights leader Dr. Ben Chavis, at the launch of the Music 4 Peace Initiative and Tour (www.music4peacetour.com <http://www.music4peacetour.com> <http://www.music4peacetour.com/> ) which held a press conference at the Miners Building on Main Street at the Sundance Film Festival. The purpose of the press conference was to introduce the Music 4 Peace Initiative and Tour, introduce its collaborative partners, the goals of the Tour and the first tour stops in 2010.

The Music 4 Peace Initiative and Tour is a collaborative initiative that aims to educate, empower, and improve the world beginning with the universal language of music. The collaborating charities include: Hip Hop Summit/Action Network, Tribes of the Worlds, Music4Peace Foundation and The Gandhi Tour. These non profits have banded together to promote a global message of peace and harmony utilizing music, artists and global resources to inspire humans across the globe to mobilize for change. Music and humanitarian charities across the globe will be 2010 campaign recipients.

Russell Simmons commented, “Hip-Hop music artists are leaders in the youth movement.  We’re excited about the potential these diverse organizations have in coming together to harness music as a transformative and unifying power to promote peace throughout the world.”

Music 4 Peace has adopted the mantra of “Peace, Water and Wisdom” and strive to eradicate world hunger and violence while providing clean water and teaching empowerment.

The first events announced for the 2010 tour include:

A Hip Hop Summit in South Africa with the World Cup and FIFA in June

A Hip Hop Summit in India in November

Gandhi Tour International day of peace in Brazil

SMI/SwaggMedia has partnered with The Music 4 Peace Tour and Initiative to co-produce the tour and as a media partner presenting the messages to the world while connecting viewers and inspiring them to donate or contribute to those in need.  Professional basketball player David West, co- founder of SwaggMedia also sent a video message supporting his participation with the World 4 Peace Tour.

Press conference participants included: Dr. Arun Gandhi, (via telephone due to a health issue) Entrepreneur, social activist, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Russell Simmons, legendary civil rights leader Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., SMI/SwaggMedia CEO Craig Nobles, Music 4 Peace co founder and founder of The Gandhi Tour, Tobias Huber, Tribes of The World founder Wayne Warwick Williams, Goodwill Ambassador to the United States Baroness Kimberly Moore, and a video message from The Dalai Lama. Internationally celebrated artist LEBO joined the Music 4 Peace Conference to share his blend of visual storytelling and global consciousness through his live performance painting. He painted an original painting entitled “Peace 4 Play” and donated it to the tour to raise awareness and funds.

Music4Peace also announced the launch of the Film 4 Peace Contest to raise funds for the Millennium Development Goals, The Hip Hop Summit and aid to Haiti. The winning filmmaker will be awarded a trip for two to South Africa in June 2010 to attend The Music 4 Peace Tour “Hip-Hop Summit South Africa’s” inaugural concert event and two tickets to the United State’s opening match against England at the World Cup! Visit www.music4peacetour.com <http://www.music4peacetour.com> <http://www.music4peacetour.com> for more details.

-End-

For photography, product samples and talent information please contact “it” girl public relations on (310) 577 1122 Juliette Harris: Juliette@itgirlpublicrelations.com or Annie@itgirlpublicrelations.com.

Video:  Message from Jean Shinoda Bolen on 5th World Conference on Women

We, the undersigned, call on the UN, 192 member-states & affiliated NGOs to support a 5th World Conference on Women. Sign the Petition to support this Conference!

The 4th conference was held in Beijing in 1995, drew over 40,000 participants, and led to the Beijing Platform for Action, which if implemented would have created a world where women’s rights and human rights were one in the same. The empowerment of women changes priorities: safety for women and children, nutrition, health and education, and concern for the environment are women’s concerns.

With the creation of a UN women’s super agency equivalent to UNICEF for children, authorized by the UN General Assembly in September 2009, it is possible that this new entity could organize a 5th world conference on women in 2015 (instead of a Beijing +20 review). The effect could be synergistic in advancing a women’s agenda. Because this would not be an official UN conference of governments — but rather a UN -sponsored conference of non-governmental organizations in civil society — it could not re-open the many excellent official documents already produced by the UN, but would focus on turning them into reality in the lives of women and girls globally.

The 21st century is an era of communication: networking via emails, cellphones and websites, information through youtube and live-stream coverage, simultaneous regional conferences via satellite broadcasting could reach people all over the world. The event would raise consciousness about unconscionable conditions as well as solutions that could focus on the work of NGOs. It would encourage the formation of women’s circles and mobilize a new wave of women’s movement activism. It would inform the world that the Beijing Platform for Action and UN Security Council Resolutions #1325 and its amendments on Women, Peace, & Security–if implemented, would bring about gender equality, end violence toward women and lead to peaceful solutions to conflicts.

A UN 5th women’s conference and the events preceding and following it would create a critical mass, a tipping point of aware and involved women and men.

Information on website: www.5wcw.org.
and in Urgent Message From Mother: Gather the Women, Save the World. www.jeanbolen.com

Signatories: (http://www.5wcw.org/who.html)
Isabel Allende, author, activist
Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD, author Urgent Message From Mother, Jungian analyst,
Marilyn Fowler, founder US Women-Connect, Women’s Intercultural Network
Carol Hansen Grey, author, activist
Dr. Patricia Licuanan, President Miriam College, Philippines, Chair of prepatory meetings for Beijing conference
Susan Collin Marks, Search for Common Ground, Leadership Wisdom Initiative.
Patricia Smith Melton, founder PeaceXPeace
Joyce Oneko, founder Mama na Dada-Africa
Elly Pradervand, founder Women’s World Summit Foundation, Geneva
Zainab Salbi, president Women for Women International
Leticia Shahani, Secretary-General 3rd UN World Conference on Women (Nairobi)
Gloria Steinem, founder Ms. Magazine, author, activist
Alice Walker, author, activist
Rosemary Williams, founder Women’s Perspective
Lea Wyler, co-founder ROKPA International