INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE OBSERVANCE

at the United Nations Conference Centre( UNCC), 20TH SEPTEMBER 2002

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- The United Nations family in Bangkok will be observing the International Day of Peace at the UNCC from 9 to 12 noon on Friday 20th September. The public and students are invited to attend and particularly media with an interest in education, and non-violent conflict resolution.

Introduced by UNESCAP Executive Secretary, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, the programme highlights "global ceasefire and non-violence". It begins with a round table, the participants are Col. Nopadon Mungkalaton of the Peace Operations Centre, Royal Thai Armed Forces; Dr. Chaiwat Satha-anand of the Political Science Faculty, Thammasat University; Ms. Thelma Kay, Chief, Gender and Development Section, UNESCAP; and Mr. Gamini Abeysekera, UNICEF Representative Office for Thailand. The moderator is Dr. Apiwat Watanangura of JSL Co.Ltd., radio broadcaster, actor and TV presenter and former lecturer at the Bangkok University.

The importance of peace education will be addressed by this year's winner of UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, the City Montessori School in Lucknow India, represented by its founder and manager, Mr. Jagdish Gandhi, who is coming from India especially for the occasion.

In recognition of the contribution of the Royal Thai Armed Forces to the cause of peace, as evidenced by their successful service in the UN Peacekeeping Forces in Timor, and plans for further service, 77 Peace Poles with the message: May Peace Prevail on Earth will be donated for distribution to each province in Thailand. The presentation will be made on behalf of the donor by General Saiyud Kerdphol and received on behalf of Lt.General Boonsrang Niumpradit by Col. Nopapon Mungkalaton of the Peace Operations Centre, Royal Thai Armed Forces.

" This year every effort is being made by the United Nations to encourage worldwide observance of the International Day of Peace, Global Ceasefire and Non-violence, whether it be cessation of conflict on a battlefield, defusing personal anger and enmity or silent meditation and prayer" said the UN spokesman.
Heads of State, United Nations Ambassadors, international and national institutions, religious bodies and thousands of NGOs have been approached and committed to this observance on the actual fixed Day of 21st September (a Saturday).
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We would encourage the media to publicize the upcoming International Day of Peace to the extent possible. Useful UN web links are:
http://www.un.org/events/peaceday;
http://www.un.org/events/ref41.htm
http://www.un.org/Pubs/CyberSchoolBus

Non UN links are:
http://www.peaceoneday.org Main international coordinating and global events details
http://www.idpvigil.com Details of vigil and global committed participants.

The media will have an opportunity to interview Mr. Gandhi immediately after the conclusion of the meeting (programme attached)

For additional information regarding the City Montessori School see
http://www.unesco.org/bpl/eng/unescopress/2002/o2-41e.shtml

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