The International Day of Peace 2010
Youth for Peace and Development

"Peace = Future"

The International Day of Peace (IDP) was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people.” Twenty years later, the General Assembly decided that September 21 would be observed annually as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence" and invited all Member States, organizations and individuals to commemorate the day, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of a global ceasefire. (UN International Day of Peace)

"This year’s observance focuses on youth and development, under the slogan: Peace = Future.... This International Day comes with a challenge for young people everywhere: Expand on your work to build peace. Share your plans and ideas, with creativity and passion. The world's concerns will soon be in your hands." - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (100 Day Countdown).

The Universal Peace Federation and its Ambassadors for Peace supported the 2009 United Nations International Day of Peace with celebrations in over 40 nations, including disarmament seminars in Geneva, Kinshasa, London, and seven other cities.

UPF's Sports for Peace Day

With a shared interest in sports as an instrument for peace, the Universal Peace Federation designed a Sports for Peace project in conjunction with the UN International Day of Peace on September 21, 2010. These one-day programs integrate sports and education in order to promote peaceful communities. Such cooperation for a greater purpose demonstrates the culture of peace that is at the heart of the UN International Day of Peace. Read More...

• Calendar of upcoming events around the world compiled by the Culture of Peace Initiative
• Plans for live broadcast of upcoming events on PeaceDayTV.org

• PowerPoint about the UN's vision for a Culture of Peace.
• PDF report about celebrations organized by NGOs around the world in 2009.

Other Youth Activities for the UN International Day of Peace

Over the next 100 days, I urge young people to plan projects that can help create the conditions for peace in their communities, in their schools, in their countries. We need your voice and commitment, and we will share your stories with the world. As we start the countdown to the International Day of Peace, we recognize two truths: Only in a peaceful environment will young people realize their full potential - and young people have the potential to start building that peaceful world today. - Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Message for the 100-Day Countdown to the IDP, 13 June 2010

August 12 Launches the UN International Year of Youth!
This is the time for young people to make your voices heard! Launch your own project to get ready for the International Day of Peace. The General Assembly proclaimed the Year in recognition of the need for dialogue between youth and other generations as well as among youth in different parts of the world. Now that it has been proclaimed, it is up to you to make use of this opportunity and make your voices heard. http://social.un.org/youthyear

Worldwide Minute of Silence at 12:00 Noon
Ask your school to have everyone take the Minute of Silence together at 12:00 noon local time, joining with people of all nationalities and faiths taking this time to focus on peace together. Sign the Million Minutes for Peace pledge at http://www.amillionminutesforpeace.org

Plant a Peace Pole!
Make sure there is a perfect spot in your school or town to hold a Minute of Silence on September 21. Have your town or school plant a Peace Pole with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in different languages. http://www.peacepoleproject.org

Letters to UN Peacekeepers
On September 21, the UN Foundation wants to deliver 10,000 letters to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in support of UN peacekeeping. Send a message to a UN peacekeeper to honor their service and sacrifice today. http://www.unfoundation.org/your-role/take-action/

Declare the International Day of Peace!
All UN Member States agreed to this Day and endorsed a global ceasefire and observance by all people (see UN General Assembly Resolution 55/282). Ask your local or national government to issue a proclamation declaring the International Day of Peace. Find a sample proclamation here http://internationaldayofpeace.org/participate/download_materials.html

Stand Up Against Poverty
Support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to significantly reduce poverty by 2015. Plan a Stand Up event for the weekend of September 17-19 and then stand up for peace on the 21st. http://standagainstpoverty.org

Fly a Giant Peace Dove
Dr. Jane Goodall is a UN Messenger of Peace. Her Roots and Shoots program for young people encourages celebration of the International Day of Peace by making and flying giant Peace Doves. Instructions for making the Doves can be found at http://www.rootsandshoots.org.

Hold a World Peace Ceremony
Organize a ceremony to send your prayers or wishes for peace to every country of the world on the International Day of Peace—just as students do each year at the United Nations. You can find a list of all the countries here. Your class may want to make flags representing various nations, especially those of their own families. You can download a slide show to accompany your World Peace Ceremony.

Take Action for a Better World

• Join the WE Campaign.
• Create a Campus Peace Center.
• Take part in the Peace Jam Global Call to Action.
• Do One Thing for Peace Day!

Promote Interfaith Dialogue and Action

• Join the Global Youth Cooperation Circle of the United Religions Initiative.
• Organize an International Day of Peace Vigil.
• Support the Religions for Peace "Arms Down" Campaign.

Pinwheels for Peace
Create a visual public statement of peace at your school on the International Day of Peace with pinwheels fluttering in the breeze (perhaps around your Peace Pole!). Assemble your pinwheels and, "plant" them outside your school on September 21 as a public statement and art installation. The spinning of the pinwheels in the wind will spread thoughts and feelings about peace throughout the country, the world! http://www.pinwheelsforpeace.org

Collect Arms for Peace
The Peace Angels Project within the Art of Peace Charitable Trust wants destroyed weapons for the creation of two Peace Angel monuments in New York and Los Angeles. Contact your local government or law enforcement agency to schedule a weapons collection on September 21. All arms brought to safe spaces with an amnesty program will be melted down and transformed into Peace Angel monuments to herald a new era of peace. For instructions on how collected weapons may be received, go to http://www.aopct.org.