Emerging evidence of group service
The 25th Annual Observance of The International Day of Peace (Peace Day) takes place on September 21st 2006. In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly, unanimously declared that the opening of its regular annual session in September, should be officially dedicated and observed as the International Day of Peace and should be devoted "to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples." Therefore, every year on September 21st individuals, communities and organizations worldwide celebrate Peace Day by organizing local events or simply by lighting a candle or meditating on Peace. Peace Day is a unique opportunity to bring attention to the millions of little and big things that individuals and organizations around the world are doing all year long to make this world a better place. It is a catalyzing event that is helping to unite the many diverse movements for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. This year, events and activities include concerts, parades, conferences, festivals, gatherings, service projects, ceremonies, children's activities such as peace art & essay contests and pinwheels for peace, Peace Day parties and peace vigils that are being planned by more than 1000 organizations in over 100 nations. Highlighted Peace Day events and local listings can be found at www.internationaldayofpeace.org; these include: United Nations Observance at UN headquarters including the ringing of the Peace Bell by the Secretary-General and celebrity Peace Messengers, commencing a Minute of Silence for peace; a satellite-linked event with hundreds of children; and a high level interfaith conference for peace attended by National Ministers, religious NGOs and UN agencies; the award of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education to Sri Lankan judge Christopher Gregory Weeramantry; Thousands of Peace Vigils, big and small; Noon Minute of Silence around one of the more than 200,000 Peace Poles found in every nation that express the wish, “May Peace Prevail On Earth”; Music for Peace – dedications to Peace Day by musicians and performers around the world; Volunteering Service for Peace in the community; Comedy For Peace – events in 28 cities worldwide; The 4th Annual Global PeaceFilm Festival; The International Day of Peace Concert – a two-hour taped television event; Peace in School – showing children the pathways to peace; Flying Peace Doves - an initiative by Dr. Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace where Giant Peace Dove puppets fly in countries around the globe. For more information on these and other Peace Day activities visit www.InternationalDayOfPeace.org and www.CultureOfPeace.org
