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UN Activities
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006

DAY OF PEACE 2011: Make Your Voice Heard

Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other, and rallying together, in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire.  

For this year's International Day of Peace observance on September 21, the UN chose the theme of "Make Your Voice Heard," under the overall idea of peace and democracy.  

Each year, the Universal Peace Federation and its Ambassadors for Peace around the world organize commemorations of the International Day of Peace. Programs were organized in about 70 nations this year.

Read the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's statement for the International Day of Peace [English, French, Spanish] and UPF's statement [English, French].

UPF PROGRAMS

Afghanistan - A program of speeches and sharing personal experiences, music, and poetry in Kabul
Albania - Giving school supplies to Roma orphans in Tirana and Shkodra
Argentina - A cultural program and awarding prizes in a poetry competition in Buenos Aires
Australia - A program in Melbourne
Austria - An interreligious service in Vienna
Barbados - A week of peace education seminars in Bridgetown
Belarus - Conference in Vitebsk on "May the Tragedy of Katyn Never Be Repeated"
Benin - Conferences on leadership and good governance in Cotonou
Brazil - Celebrations in Sao Paulo included dedicating a new Peace Monument and an International Festival
Burkina Faso - Program and tree-planting in Nangreongo
Cambodia - Youth visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh
Cameroon - Programs in Yaounde and Buea

Canada - A program in Montreal
Central African Republic - Peace conferences in Bangui, Bimba, and Gababja
Colombia - Three programs in Bogota promoting interreligious understanding and cooperation
Congo - A program in Brazzaville at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Dominican Republic - A program at the Regional University Center in Barahona
Ecuador - A forum on peace and democracy in Quito
Estonia - A program at a school in Torva
Finland - A seminar in Helsinki
France - A forum in Paris on "Does Multiculturalism Still Contribute to Peace?"
Gabon - A program in Libreville
Georgia - A program in a Tbilisi park featuring speeches, arts, crafts, music, and dancing
Germany - Programs in Bonn, Dusseldorf, Munich, and Stuttgart
Ghana - Seminars in Accra for Ambassadors for Peace and youth leaders, including a service program
Guyana - A program in Georgetown with the Prime Minister as keynote speaker
Honduras - A meeting in Tegucigalpa
India - Athletic competitions in New Delhi, Lucknow, and Gangtok and a conference in New Delhi
Indonesia - A program at the Islamic State University in Jakarta
Ireland - A discussion evening at the Lantern Interfaith Center in Dublin
Israel - A Jewish-Christian dialogue at the Dormition Church in Jerusalem
Italy - Interfaith prayers in Bergamo and Monza
Japan - A program hosted by the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo and a beach clean up on the Miura Peninsula
Kenya - A celebration of the International Day of Peace and Eid ul-Fitr in Nairobi
Latvia - A program at the Peace Embassy in Riga
Liberia - Planting a tree of peace at the Monroe City Hall in Maryland County
Marshall Islands - A program at the Peace Embassy in Majuro
Mauritius - A program in Quatre-Bornes for foster children and those caring for them
Mexico - A program in Mexico City with the NGO Vivir en Paz
Moldova - A seminar, conference, and several presentations at universities in Chisinau
Nepal - Programs in Kathmandu, Kaski, Morang, Jhapa, Sunsari, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Banke, and Rupandehi
Netherlands - Programs at the Dialogue Center in Amsterdam and Christus Triumfator Church in The Hague
New Zealand - A program at the Maori Anglican Church meeting hall in Auckland
Nicaragua - A program at the Martin Luther King Evangelical Nicaraguan University in Managua
Nigeria - Programs in Abuja, Jos, and Port Harcourt
Norway - An interfaith program at the Oslo Central Mosque
Paraguay - A program on Democracy and Good Governance at the Gran Hotel Paraguay in Asuncion
Peru - A conference hosted by the Peruvian Congress and a peace march in the Comas district of Lima
Russia - Conferences and forums, school programs, sports events, and women's projects in 14 cities
Rwanda - A program at the New Hope Technical Institute in Kigali
Scotland - A program in Perth reporting on interfaith initiatives in East Africa
Senegal - A program in Casamance on the theme "Let's Unite in Heart"
Seychelles - A program at the National Theater in Victoria
Sierra Leone - An environmental cleanup at the Connaught Teaching Hospital in Freetown.
Slovakia - Programs with students in two schools in Nitra
Slovenia - A program in Ljubljana-Kofljica
Solomon Islands - Programs at two schools in Honiara
Spain - A forum in Barcelona on the theme of Libya: Present and Future
Sri Lanka - A workshop on character education and peacebuilding at the Central College in Negambo
Switzerland - A symposium on multiculturalism at the UN office in Geneva
Taiwan - A seminar in Taipei on the proposal for an interreligious peace council
Thailand - Schools throughout the nation observing a minute of silence, a video clip contest on the theme of peace, and inaugurating a national Interreligious Peace Council in Bangkok

Below, winner of the Thailand video contest:

Togo - Programs in Lome and Kara
United Kingdom - Three forums in the London area on peacebuilding in various regions of the world
United States - Events in various states throughout the nation
Uruguay - An interreligious peace summit in Montevideo
Venezuela - A peace walk in Caracas
Washington DC USA - A "Make Your Voice Heard" luncheon at The Washington Times Foundation 

FOR OTHER EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD, SEE THE CULTURE OF PEACE INITIATIVE.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE OF AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE OBSERVANCE

• Read statements about the International Day of Peace (for example, by the UN Secretary-General, by UPF)
• One minute of silence
• Representatives of various religions offer prayers (for sample readings and prayers, click here)
• A ceremony of reconciliation (for examples, click here)
• Greetings by a public official
• A forum on an issue of local concern
• Music

IDEAS FOR ACTIVITIES TO ORGANIZE

• Hold a Sports for Peace competition.
• Organize a Peace Vigil.
  
• Plant a Peace Pole with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth."

BE PART OF AN ONGOING PROGRAM

• Cooperation Circles of the United Religions Initiative
• Campus Peace Centers
• Peace Jam Global Call to Action

Ask a local or national government official to issue a proclamation declaring the International Day of Peace. For a sample proclamation, click here.