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Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
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16 September
2003
Press Release No: N/20/2003
Annual International Day of Peace observance
at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), 9 -12 am, 19
September 2003 (in lieu of the actual Day on Sunday 21 September
2003)
BANGKOK (United Nations Information Services)
-- The United Nations in Bangkok will be observing the International
Day of Peace on Friday, 19 September with an emphasis on peace
development and non-violence. The general public and media interested
in peace, non-violence and conflict resolution issues are invited
to attend this important event which is also opened to civil
societies including NGOs and students.
Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(UNESCAP), will introduce the United Nations Secretary-General
Mr. Kofi Annan's video message, stressing the importance of
the Day.
A special message will be delivered by Ms. Jody
Williams, co-winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Keynote address, "Peace and Development",
will be presented by former Rotary International President 2002-2003,
Mr Bhichai Rattakul.
The Public Service Announcements (PSAs), entitled
"One Day" feature world renowned personalities Muhammad
Ali and Luciano Pavarotti, who have been appointed "United
Nations Messengers of Peace" by Secretary-General Kofi
Annan. The PSAs were produced and created pro bono by the AETN
(The History Channel) and the New York Advertising Agency DCODE,
will be screened.
Panel discussion on "The UN Decade of the
Culture of Peace and None-violence for the Children of the World
2001-2010: Where Do We Go From Here? " will be participated
by Mr. Sheldon Shaeffeer, Director UNESCO/PROAP, Prof. Dr. Vithit
Muntarbhorn, Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, and Mr.
Bo Viktor Nylund, Regional Planning Officer for Emergency, UNICEF.
Two university teams will debate on the topic;
"Non-violence has powerful potential for personal and collective
action and is the path of choice in conflict prevention and
resolution". The debate will be chaired by:
- Dr. Xiomara de Arrocha, Ambassador of Panama and
- Dr. Malama Meleisa, Regional Advisor for Social and Human
Sciences in Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO, Bangkok
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 is cessation
of conflict on a battlefield, defusing personal anger and enmity,
or silent meditation and prayer.
Heads of State, United Nations Ambassadors, international
and national institutions, religious bodies and thousands of
NGOs have been approached and have committed to this observance
on the actual fixed Day of 21st September.
You or your representatives are cordially invited
to join this activity.
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We would highly appreciate it if the media could
publicize the upcoming International Day of Peace to the widest
possible audiences.
Useful UN web links are:
http://www.un.org/events/peaceday;
http://www.un.org/depts.dhl/peace;
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.
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