Tbilisi, Georgia - The Universal Peace Federation of Georgia and its Ambassadors for Peace organized a series of intercultural events related to the International Day of Peace.

On September 19, UPF held a seminar for Ambassadors for Peace at the Foundation for Development of Human Resources headed by Ambassador for Peace Nodar Sarjveladze. The topic of the program was "Leadership at a Time of Crisis." The participants represented government institutions and NGOs of Georgia. Twelve participants in a round-table discussion exchanged ideas about a philosophy of peace and potential projects in Georgia. Mr. Zurab Lakerbaya, the State mediator between the Georgian government and Abkhasia, and Iya Maysaya, the Deputy Minister of Culture of Abkhazia, were appointed Ambassadors for Peace.

On September 20, UPF-Georgia and the Ministry of Health of Abkhazia held a program celebrating the International Day of Peace. The Central Palace of Youth located next to the Parliament of Georgia hosted 250 participants.

Among the dignitaries at the event were Manana Kutateladze, the Chief of Staff of the Deputy Head of the Georgian Parliament, and Vakhtang Kolbaia, the former Vice Speaker of the Georgian parliament. Dalila Khorava, the Minister of Health of Abkhazia, and Konstantin Krylov, Secretary General of UPF-Russia, lit torches of peace symbolizing the exchange of hearts between the peoples of Georgia and Russia. The Russian torch was brought from the Russian Urals region together with several hundred gifts and crafts made by the Russian children for the children of Georgia. Konstantin Krylov gave a speech in the Georgian language expressing the love of Russians towards the people of Georgia. The program ended with a beautiful concert by young singers and dancers. The event concluded with a ceremonial flight of doves into the sky and releasing of balloons with peace messages.

The program was reported by all five major TV channels, two newspapers, and news agencies.

On September 21, UPF-Georgia volunteers gave lectures on the significance of the International Day of Peace and a culture of peace for several hundred children at Public School number 136 in Tbilisi. They also delivered gifts of peace brought from Russia to the Georgia children.

To read UPF's Declaration on the International Day of Peace 2009, click here.
For more information about the South Caucasus Peace Initiative, click here.