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Minute of Silence at 12 noon on Friday, 21 September | September 19, 2007

Dear Friends,

In his historic statement for the International Day of Peace, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for a Minute of Silence for world peace on 21 September at 12 noon. Please read the full text of his message and the press release below.

We encourage you to use the International Day of Peace to join in a global movement to pray and focus on peace. The press release below describes some of the important issues that the SG will address during the weekend following the International Day of Peace. Join the SG and people throughout the world with a Minute of Silence to support his work and to help build the Culture of Peace.

This Press Release has been reviewed and approved by the United Nations. Please help to spread this urgent message around the world, through your press contacts and email lists.

Let the prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth” echo in the hearts and on the lips of people everywhere to conclude the Minute of Silence at noon on the International Day of Peace!

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Love and gratitude,

Deborah Moldow
Monica Willard


For immediate release

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS FOR MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR PEACE ON 21 SEPTEMBER

International Day of Peace precedes UN high-level talks on Darfur, Israel/Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan

New York, 12 September 2007

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, has appealed to people around the world to join in a Minute of Silence at 12 noon on the International Day of Peace, observed on 21 September each year.

The International Day of Peace, designated by the UN General Assembly, has been growing in worldwide recognition since the date was fixed on 21 September in 2001 as an annual day of global cease-fire and non-violence. All governments, UN system agencies, non-governmental organizations and individuals are called upon to join in the observance. Civil society has added an International Day of Peace Vigil, including prayers and meditation for peace by people of all faiths.

This year, the International Day of Peace falls on a Friday, just before the start of the Secretary-General’s high-level meetings on four of the most sensitive areas of conflict in the world: Darfur, Israel/Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It also falls during both Ramadan and the Jewish High Holy Days.

Mr. Ban admits that, “...in countless communities across the globe, peace remains an elusive goal.” He urges “all countries and combatants to honour this cessation of hostilities” and asks “people everywhere to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon local time.”

“As the guns fall silent, we should use this opportunity to ponder the price we all pay due to conflict. And we should resolve to vigorously pursue ways to make permanent this day’s pause. On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion.”

The Secretary-General will back up his promise with the high-level talks at the United Nations, which will include the participation of several Foreign Ministers and the Presidents of Afghanistan and the Prime Minister of Iraq.

The International Day of Peace will be observed at UN headquarters on 21 September beginning with the Secretary-General ringing the Peace Bell at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Ban and the President of the General Assembly will then greet 700 middle school children attending the annual student observance. Also participating will be several Messengers of Peace, including Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall and Elie Wiesel. Three new Messengers of Peace will be introduced. The children will raise the flags of all nations with the theme, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

The public is urged to join in the Minute of Silence at 12 noon on Friday, 21 September, in support of a successful outcome to the peace talks and in a shared focus or prayer for peace on earth.

For information on how you can support the International Day of Peace, please visit

http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org and http://www.idpvigil.com

********************************************************************


UNITED NATIONS
NATIONS UNIES

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

--

MESSAGE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

New York, 21 September 2007

Dear friends,

Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs. It is also the UN’s highest calling.

It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our world wide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development.

This work for peace is vital. But it is not easy. Indeed, in countless communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal. From the displaced person camps of Chad and Darfur to the byways of Baghdad, the quest for peace is strewn with setbacks and suffering.

September 21, the International Day of Peace, is an occasion to take stock of our efforts to promote peace and well-being for all people everywhere.

It is an opportunity to appreciate what we have already accomplished, and to dedicate ourselves to all that remains to be done.

It is also meant to be a day of global cease-fire: a twenty-four hour respite from the fear and insecurity that plague so many places.

Today, I urge all countries and all combatants to honour this cessation of hostilities. And I ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon local time.

As the guns fall silent, we should use this opportunity to ponder the price we all pay due to conflict. And we should resolve to vigorously pursue ways to make permanent this day’s pause.

On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion. Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace.

Thank you.

Posted by admin at September 19, 2007 10:16 AM


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