United Nations' Call For Peace Resonates Across Asia

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- With memories of past wars still fresh in the minds of many, and amid increasing fears of future conflicts, the observance of this year's International Day of Peace has taken on even greater importance in Asia and the Pacific.

The United Nations Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan has called for combatants around the world to lay down their weapons in a show of solidarity for a global ceasefire and day of non-violence on Saturday, 21st September 2002.

"Twenty-four hours is not a long time, but enough for the world's leaders to begin to listen to their peoples. Some of those peoples want an end to repression and intolerance. Others want relief from poverty and despair," the Secretary General said in his message for International Day of Peace, which, from this year forward, will be officially observed on the 21st of September.

On Friday 20th September, the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok played host to an advanced observance of International Day of Peace.

Student singers from Bangkok, Buddhist Monks, members of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, and this year's winner of the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education were among those attending the event.

"Peace between nations, and within nations, harmony and an absence of strife - it is up to all of us," said UNESCAP Executive Secretary Mr. Kim Hak-Su.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces were presented with 77 "Peace Poles" which will be distributed throughout the Kingdom of Thailand. The text inscribed on each reads: 'May Peace Prevail on Earth'.

In receiving the poles, Colonel Nopadon Mungkataton said they were recognition of the Royal Thai Armed Forces' work in international peacekeeping. "We need to heed the lessons of the past and develop a deeper understanding of the way we can continue to develop our role in relation to civil society, hopefully to the extent that other Forces will follow suit," he said

Mr. Jagdish Gandhi, founder of the City Montessori School, in Lucknow, said the role of educating children about peace could not be over-emphasized. "It is only during childhood that a lasting commitment to peace can be inculcated in children - later it is often too late." Mr. Gandhi is this year's recipient of UNESCO's Prize for Peace Education.

The Observance concluded with the singing of peace songs by 18 Jeremiah Singers from Bangkok's Ruamrudee International School.

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