international day of peace 2012

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

September 21, 2012

“Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future”Commemorations organized by

Universal Peace Federation chapters in

AfghanistanArgentinaAustraliaBrazilCambodiaCzech RepublicDominican RepublicEcuadorEstoniaEthiopiaGeorgia

GermanyIndiaIsraelItalyJapanLatviaMacedoniaMalaysiaMoldovaNepalNew ZealandNigeriaNorway

PeruRussiaScotlandSpainSri LankaTaiwanUkraineUnited StatesZambia

KABUL: Speeches, poetry, and drama at the Ghargistan Institute of Higher Education offered a respite from three decades of conflict.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Afghanistan

BUENOS AIRES: Prizes were awarded in the annual poetry contest with this year’s theme: “Words of Meeting and Universal Consciousness.”

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Argentina

VICTORIA: A seminar at Monash University focused on the principles of peacebuilding and strategies for implementing them.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Australia

SAO PAULO: A program at the City Hall included an interfaith water ceremony that included representatives of various religions.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Brazil

SAO PAULO: The Sao Paulo Commercial Association hosted an interfaith program featuring speeches, music, and awards.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Brazil

CHAMBOK: University students traveled to the Kirirom National Park to learn about sustainable development and help plant trees.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Cambodia

PRAGUE: A conference in the European House featured various speakers on the theme of “Sustainable Peace for the Future.”

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Czech Republic

SAN JUAN DE LA MAGUANA: The Santo Domingo State University Branch at San Juan hosted a program of music and speeches.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Dominican Republic

QUITO: A representative of UN Women addressed an observance in the Hall of the National Union of Journalists.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Ecuador

GUAYAQUIL: A program took place in the Simon Bolivar Hall of the Government of Guayas.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Ecuador

TOILA: A presentation to students about the International Day of Peace stimulated discussions about peacebuilding.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Estonia

VÄIKE-MAARJA: A presentation to students about the International Day of Peace stimulated discussions about peacebuilding.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Estonia

ADDIS ABABA: Literature about the role of families in peacebuilding was distributed during a forum at the African Union headquarters.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Ethiopia

TBILISI: A conference at the David Aghmashenebeli University explored the potential for peacebuilding in the South Caucasus.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Georgia

AKHALTSIKHE: A gathering at the Rabat fortress, a historic multi-religious site, promoted tolerance and interreligious cooperation.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Georgia

International Day of PeaceWeltfriedenstag 2012

Wildeshausen: Auch der dreijährige Mekke Karaca hatte anlässlich des Friedenstages eine Papiertaube gestaltet. Bild: Olaf Blume

BONN: Peacemaking activities for young and old included songs, poems, prayers, and creating messages of good will.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Germany

NEW DELHI: Inauguration of a peace club at Jamia Millia Islamia university and an intercollegiate football tournament

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012India

JERUSALEM: An information table on a pedestrian street during the Sukkot festival promoted messages of peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Israel

MONZA: Participants in an interfaith vigil in front of the Town Hall offered reflections, prayers, and music in support of peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Italy

TOKYO: Families attended a teach-in about the key role of families in building sustainable peace and then worked together to clean streets.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Japan

RIGA: A professor from the military academy addressed a forum on “Prospects for Peace and Security for a Sustainable Future.”

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Latvia

SKOPJE: A forum at FON University on Principles and Practices for Lasting Peace and Security in Macedonia and the Wider Balkans

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Macedonia

IPOH: A program at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel included speeches, cultural performances, prayers, and an interfaith water ceremony.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Malaysia

CHISINAU: A training program in the principles of peacebuilding and their application included lectures, discussions, and role playing.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Moldova

KATHMANDU: Religious leaders lit lamps at the Buddha Dharma Center, opening a program of speeches and prayers for peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

BIRATNAGAR: Ambassadors for Peace, women, and youth participated in an interactive program about peacebuilding.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

CHITWAN: Food was distributed to senior citizens.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

POKHARA: A speech contest on the theme of “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future” took place at the Social Public English School.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

DHARAN: Community leaders helped plant trees.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

NEPALGUNJ: Students joined a street-cleaning program to raise awareness about the link between peace and a sustainable future.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

BHAKTAPUR: Students and Girl Scouts helped clean a park.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

JHAPA: Students cleaned a nursery.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

HETUADA: Former MP Hon. Prahalad Lamichhane initiated a program of cleaning the streets and walkways.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nepal

AUCKLAND: A forum about ways people of different religions can cooperate for peace concluded with an interfaith water ceremony.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012New Zealand

Abuja: A two-day conference on Marriage and Family as Instruments for Sustainable Peace, National Development, and Sustainable Future

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Nigeria

OSLO: The documentary “Within the Eye of the Storm” featured Palestinians and Israelis from the Parents Circle/Families Forum.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Norway

LIMA: A forum in the Peruvian Congress and a march in Tumbes.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Peru

KHABAROVSK: At a program in the city’s gymnasium, students made doves to symbolize peace, stability, and prosperity.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

KONDOPOGA: Members of the Young Ambassadors for Peace Club and local activists joined students in a rally for peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

KOSTOMUKSHA: In a week of peacebuilding activities, students drew their visions of peace and distributed paper doves to passersby.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

MOSCOW: The Lyublino Children’s Sports Center team won a Play Football for Peace tournament, which promotes a culture of peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

MOSCOW: Organizers shared stories of peacebuilding during the 100-day campaign that led up to the UN International Day of Peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

NOVOSIBIRSK: People were given cards with the Day of Peace symbol and encouraged to add a message and send it to relatives or friends.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

PERM: Students at the Perm Pedagogical College made paper doves.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

RYAZAN: Activists distributed leaflets with information about the International Day of Peace and made plans for future programs.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

ST. PETERSBURG: Balloons with messages of peace were released at the close of a program about ways of celebrating the Day of Peace.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

YEKATERINBURG: Teaching lessons on peace in schools No. 43 and 163

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Russia

EDINBURGH: Speakers at a conference in the Scottish Parliament addressed the topic: “The Way of Permanent Peace.”

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Scotland

MADRID: An interreligious and international forum concluded with a presentation of the annual “Helping Your Neighbor” awards.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Spain

COLOMBO: A program at 8th session of the national Youth Parliament focused on “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future.”

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Sri Lanka

TAIPEI: Scholars and religious leaders participated in a consultation about a proposed interreligious peace council.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Taiwan

KIEV: Students at a boarding school heard a presentation about the Day of Peace, joined in peace-building games, and enjoyed presents.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC: Speakers at a forum about peace prospects included diplomats and social activists.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012United States

LUSAKA: Religious leaders, students, and Ambassadors for Peace attended a program at the Peace Embassy.

UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2012Zambia