Peace Day - September 21, 2008 - (Page 9)

Letter from the Editor PEacE Day 2008 We are no longer the people we once were. Something fresh has appeared, a goodness that is taking root and growing stronger. We no longer tolerate injustice, war, poverty and needless suffering like we once did. We are fast becoming a global village of people caring for one another and the planet. The word Peace itself is shifting and Saphir Lewis, expanding. What once Editor-in-chief meant disarmament or an end to war, now spans a much larger scope. A new understanding of Peace, one that describes a whole and healthy society, is emerging. Mike Abkins, of Peace Partnership International notes, “The idea of sustainability and the idea of a culture of peace are really two sides of the same coin – we aren’t going to have peace unless we are at one with our ecology and we’re not going to be sustainable ecologically unless we have peace.” The new human story tells of a global community that is rapidly growing and linking up, a network of enthusiasts sharing a vision for a better world, a world where everyone has access to food, water, healthcare, education; a world that is clean, safe and healthy as well as free of wars and violence. Paul Hawken, best selling author and founder of the Natural Capital Institute, in his recent effort to tally “the movement” as he calls it, estimates that there may be as many as 2 million organizations worldwide working toward these goals. Some organizations are small, yes, but others are growing in leaps and bounds. For example, • There are now groups in 35 countries working for Departments of Peace in their governments. • The United Religions Initiative for interfaith cooperation to end religious based violence, has grown to include over 100 religions, spiritual walks and indigenous traditions in 65 countries. • The World Peace Prayer Society, who co-produces the UN's International Day of Peace activities, now has branches in over 180 countries. • Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall's organization for youth activism is now in nearly 100 countries. T he Human Story is changing . . . • Earthdance, the Peace Day Music Festival, holds a synchronized prayer for peace in over 300 locations in 65 countries. • Over 1 billion people participate in Peace Day each year, nearly 20% of our global population. • These are just a few! Most exciting of all is the collaboration we are seeing. While peace organizations are growing in size and scope, they are also finding one another, combining resources, convening for conferences and uniting to become stronger and more effective. More than three thousand of these groups put on events to celebrate the United Nation's International Day of Peace (IDP), fondly dubbed "Peace Day". With all of this activity, the United Nation's International Day of Peace grows bigger and better each year. Avon Mattison, of Pathways To Peace, IDP visionary, has worked for 27 years to make this holiday one that includes all people of all nations, and her efforts are reaping fruit! Though "Peace Day" is officially on September 21st, events are held all month long, in every major city, in every country on earth. Estimating numbers is very difficult as most groups do not keep statistics, but "back of a napkin" estimates easily show participation as over 1 billion. This September, people around the world will gather in their homes, their schools, their meeting halls, their churches, their streets and their festival grounds to celebrate Peace. The UN, with partners Care and UNICEF, will call ceasefires that enable them to rush aid in to those who can't be reached otherwise. Inter-religious vigils will call peace talks between enemies that will win steps toward reconciliation. Some will fast and pray and march for peace. And thousands of others will hold music festivals, film festivals, comedy and poetry slams, and school parades. The variety of activities is endless. Peace Day has become more than just a time of fun events and celebration, though it's all of that too. It has grown into a meeting place that allows for groups to form collaborations that are becoming human super machines, forces for positive change. We've come to understand that peace isn't going to happen by waving a flag and holding two fingers in the air, Peace is only a word until it's put into action. Social and political infrastructures that create inequity and poverty play vital roles as causes of conflict. Together we are brainstorming new models and testing new approaches to create different results than we've seen before. And it's working. The largest global social movement in Continued on next page www.worldpeaceemerging.com http://www.worldpeaceemerging.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Peace Day - September 21, 2008

Peace Day - September 21, 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor The United Nations International Day of Peace Avon Mattison, IDP Visionary Surprise Announcement What You Can Do EarthDance International Earthdance International Events 11 Days of Global Unity Peace Day Central Event Pages Ari Lesser Peace One Day Peace Day Ceasefires IDP Vigils World Peace Starts From Within The Peace Film Festival Events Jazz for Peace Jazz for Peace Concerts Peace Partnership International Be Part of A Global Mastermind Mr. Peace VZones.com The US Peace Alliance A Pyramid of Light Comedy for Peace Comedy for Peace Club Events The Peace Dome World Peace Prayer Society Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots Jane Goodall’s Children’s Events Sydney’s Triple Event Peace Day Chicago Other Global Peace Days

Peace Day - September 21, 2008

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