Peace Day - September 21, 2008 - 17
SurpriSeAnnouncement! Marketing for a large calendar publisher. I am known as an idealistic person, who lived in a commune for 11 years. In business dealings I often hug instead of shaking hands. Last year on the International Day of Peace 2007, I asked myself what I could do to make the world a better place. A light bulb went off – and it hasn’t dimmed since! I contacted friends who work for some of the largest calendar publishers in the U.S. and discovered that most had never heard of the International Day of Peace. I explained its relevance and scope, and asked if they would include this occasion on their calendars going forward. I framed the request by saying that everyone wants peace – people of all cultures, races, religions, nationalities, political parties, belief systems, abilities, families, ages, genders and walks of life. The response was immediate and enthusiastic. By the end of the day I had 20 of the largest calendar publishers in the U.S. ‘on board’. The next day I realized that The International Day of Peace would be reaching hundreds of millions of people – and the huge significance of this. I started making a list of ideas and ways to build peace; it was long. That was the beginning… A week later a friend introduced me to Avon Mattison, the founder of Pathways to Peace. By phone, Avon told me they had been trying to get the International Day of Peace onto calendars for years. I told her about my list and what this meant for the world. It was like two people, three thousand miles apart, sharing the same vision. Over the next few months, I contacted distributors, publishers, industry associations and trade publications all over the world about adding the International Day of Peace to calendars. People everywhere supported this idea. I can now safely say that hundreds of calendar publishers all over the world are involved; and that we will reach a billion people in 2009; these calendars are in stores now. We may even reach 2 billion people for 2010. Peace Day will be on 2009 calendars worldwide! 1) Governance/Law/Security, 2) Education/Media, 3) Economics/Business, 4) Health/Relationships, 5) Science/Technology, 6) Religion/Spiritual Teachings, 7) Environment/Habitat and 8) Culture. The last few years, Pathways To Peace has expanded its role as a peacebuilding advocate. In 2007, observation of International Day of Peace was extended to cover a 30 day period, from September 11 to October 10. This was a project in partnership with Earthdance International called “30 Days of Peace”. Also in 2007, steps were taken to start estimating the effects of Peace Day celebrations and other peacebuilding activities by looking at immediate impacts on crime and other factors. In 2008, Pathways To Peace is relaunching the two websites, www. internationaldayofpeace.org and www. cultureofpeace.org, to include more extensive databases of events and participants, and to provide tools for peacebuilding such as “Peace Media”, “Peace Music” and “Peace Education”. These sites, and the online CPI Group, offer several ways for individuals and organizations to come together and work toward building a culture of peace. ••••••••••••••• Hundreds of calendar publishers all over the world are involved; and we will reach a billion people in 2009 With the International Day of Peace on everybody’s calendars the doors are wide open for an annual, worldwide observance of peace. The International Day of Peace will have the support of governments, religions, businesses, professionals, public service organizations, educational institutions and media outlets all over the world. Thousands of cultural, humanitarian, social justice, environmental and volunteer organizations will be involved; the United Nations will step up its programs; and there will be opportunities for people and families everywhere to participate. The ongoing impact will be of historical significance, and our children will grow up observing ‘Peace Day’ and incorporating its meaning and potential into their lives. I continue to work with Pathways to Peace; my focus is to bring the observance of the International Day of Peace more into mainstream society. There will be efforts involving manufacturers, publishers, retailers, business people, professionals, and the media. I have been to the UN with Michael Johnson and have also met with people from some of the NGO’s involved in this observance. Everyone will be focusing on the International Day of Peace as a way to bring understanding and cooperation into our world, and to create a worldwide culture of peace. ••••••••••••••• Pathways To Peace uses a model for peacebuilding called the Peace Wheel. This model contains eight “pathways”, or sections of life, through which Peace can be built. The message is that you don’t need to sign petitions or participate in rallies to work for peace. You can make changes in your everyday life that will increase harmony and decrease conflict. The eight pathways are: Pathways To Peace (PTP) is a pioneering Peacebuilding organization in Consultative status with the United Nations, and designated a Peace Messenger Organization by the UN. Pathways To Peace has been involved with the inauguration of, and the expanding worldwide participation in, the International Day of Peace. For more information on how to support Pathways to Peace or this initiative, please visit the following websites: www.pathwaystopeace.org ; www.cultureofpeace.org or www.internationaldayofpeace.org www.worldpeaceemerging.com 17