UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
MESSAGE FOR "PEACE ONE DAY" London, 21 March 2002
Why do we have an International Day of Peace? It is a day on which we to try to imagine a world quite different from the one we know. We try to picture those who wage war laying down their arms and talking out their differences. We try to picture all governments listening to -- and acting on — the will of the people. We try to picture hatred turning into respect, bigotry into understanding, and ignorance into knowledge. And we try to picture the very root causes of conflict -- poverty, marginalization and greed -- giving way to development and justice.
We do this because progress in our world does not happen without someone first having a vision or a dream. The International Day of Peace started with such a dream. It was proclaimed more than 20 years ago by the United Nations General Assembly, at the initiative of Costa Rica. Last year, at the initiative of Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, the Assembly decided to go one step further. It declared that the International Day of Peace should be observed on 21 September as a day of global cease-fire and non-violence.
This step can be more than symbolic. Where respected, it can have practical effect. A ceasefire gives humanitarian agencies the chance to provide vital services to civilian victims. And even a one-day pause in the fighting gives us something to build on in the work to end conflict.
I commend Peace One Day for its commitment to this endeavour, and hope that the International Day of Peace will serve as an occasion for peace to take hold, day by day, year by year, until every day is a day of peace.
Kofi A. Annan
UEJ 1
JUL 2 9 2002 Edward Mortimer To: "Ahmad Fawzi"
I have told Jeremy Gilley umpteen times that we will do a written message but NOT a video for this event. "Ahmad Fawzi"
"Ahmad Fawzi" To: "Edward Mortimer"
Dear Edward
On another matter altogether (!!) I wonder whether it will be possible to have a message from the SG regarding the now-fixed date of 21 September as INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY, to be transmitted during the press conference in London on 21 March, which we are holding to promote awareness of the Day. It will be a high profile event with a Messenger of Peace (Gillian working on this: we hope we can get Muhamed Ali or Michael Douglas), a Foreign Office Minister and others.
It would be great if the message could be video taped for presentation on a big screen during the proceedings. I know you now have a policy of limiting the SG's video tapings, but this could be used again and again throughout the world. We are trying to get as many UNICs as possible on board, as you will see from the letter and background material which I am sending under separate cover.
Look forward to seeing you tomorrow. All the best, Ahmad To engage governments, organizations of the United Nations system, regional and non- governmental organizations to initiate and support life-saving, educational and public awareness activities on the Day
Peace One Day Block D, The Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, El 6QL, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 207 456 9180 Fax: +44 (0) 207 375 2007 Email: [email protected] www.peaceonedav.ora Peace One Day
"You have proved that individuals can make a difference and if each of us does our bit collectively we will make a major contribution." UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan
Three years ago filmmaker Jeremy Gilley began an experiment to find out if an individual could create the first Global Cease-Fire Day in the recorded history of humankind. In September 1999, at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, Peace One Day was launched. Since its inception, Peace One Day has lobbied Heads of State and other key individuals around the world, building the case for the Global Cease-Fire Day.
On 7 September 2001, Peace One Day achieved its objective. A resolution, put forward by the UK and Costa Rican governments, was unanimously adopted by UN member states formally establishing an annual Global Cease- Fire Day on the United Nations international Day of Peace, forever fixed in the global calendar on 21 September.
Having established a Global Cease-Fire Day, Peace One Day has now embarked on a worldwide networking exercise, to transform the Day into one of global unity. Peace One Day is asking all sectors of society to honour the Day, in the home, the workplace, in our daily lives. Peace One Day is communicating with other organisations, governmental and non-governmental, to promote the Day as an opportunity to reach people otherwise isolated as a result of conflict, military or domestic. Peace One Day continues to document the entire journey on film, the full-length version of which will encompass the first ever Global Cease-Fire Day, 21 September 2002; this will become a key tool in reaching people of all nations.
Peace One Day has come so far in such a short space of time. What began as an idea now has the active support of governments, UN agencies, NGOs, Nobel Peace Laureates, religious organisations, corporations, universities, schools, key individuals, adults and young people alike.
Everything that has been achieved so far has come about as the result of individuals and organisations that have taken the time to consider the potential of this initiative and to become active in our mission. Now more than ever before, the Global Cease-Fire Day represents an opportunity for people to co-ordinate their efforts for peace in a focused way. If you require further information or would like to become involved please contact Peace One Day on the details below or visit our website. Whatever the nature and scale of your commitment, your efforts will inspire others to become involved. We are now asking the entire world to prepare for 21 September 2002. If you build a house you start with one brick, if we want peace we must start with one day.
Objectives of the Campaign
• To raise global awareness of the United Nations International Day of Peace, now a Global Cease-Fire Day, 21st September annually
• To engage civil society in the peaceful observance of the Global Cease-Fire Day, transforming the Day into one of global unity