URI calls on its CCs, its partners and its affiliates to mark International Day of Peace with an event or activity of their choosing.
URI CALLS ON GLOBAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE PART IN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
San Francisco, CA, August 21, 2014 – On Sunday, September 21, 2014, exactly one month from today, the United Religions Initiative (URI) will celebrate International Day of Peace. URI calls on its member groups (known as Cooperation Circles or “CCs”), its partners and its affiliates to mark International Day of Peace with an event or activity of their choosing. URI also invites its global community to take part in a Minute of Silence at 12pm on September 21st, joining people of different faiths and spiritual traditions in prayers for peace around the world.
“The global grassroots interfaith network that is the United Religions Initiative proudly supports the International Day of Peace,” says The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian, Jr., URI Executive Director. “International Day of Peace holds special meaning for more than 640 Cooperation Circles in 84 countries that comprise URI. It is an occasion for communities around the world to come together and celebrate our work in bringing peace, justice and healing to the Earth and all living beings.”
Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, International Day of Peace – or “Peace Day” – was declared as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.
This year’s theme is the “Right of Peoples to Peace.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon explains: “The theme for the Day this year acknowledges the 30th anniversary of the General Assembly Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, with its central message that humanity’s sustainable progress and the realization of fundamental rights and freedoms depend on peace and security. It is central to the Rights up Front approach, which calls upon the international community to act earlier and more concertedly in the face of human rights violations, which are often the precursors of worse to come.”
International Day of Peace at URI promises to be marked by several unique activities and events, ranging from peace walks to concerts, as well as art showcases, community outreach and peace education programs. URI-UN Representative Monica Willard will be among those celebrating International Day of Peace, taking part in the annual Commemoration at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Ms. Willard and the rest of the team at the URI At The UN Cooperation Circle will help coordinate a peace gathering of more than 400 high school and college students who have made a commitment to work on peace projects in the coming year. They will be joined by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN Messengers of Peace and other dignitaries.
For more information on previous International Day of Peace activities organized by URI Cooperation Circles, visit uri.org.
For URI Cooperation Circles or URI partners who are interested in submitting a planned event for International Day of Peace, please fill out this online form or send an outline of your planned activities to [email protected].
