Here’s a great model for URI CCs to look toward. The Interfaith Center at the Presidio sponsors a group called Friends in Faith, which “is an emerging group of Interfaith young adults, youth, and like minded supporters interested in spreading peace and understanding through the sharing of stories.” Read on for to see how they are going about inviting these young people to their upcoming events.
The International Day of Peace is on Friday, Sept 21. Thank you to all CCs who are planing to observe the day. I am including a copy of the statement from the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, for the International Day of Peace. You may use his statement as a reading at an event you are doing and to publicize the day in your area.
Please join us in a Minute of Silence at 12 noon your time to be part of the wave of prayer embracing the Earth to call for peace, justice and ceasefires. Your prayers are especially needed this year as the Secretary-General will be holding high level talks for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel-Palestine, and Darfur over the International Day of Peace weekend.
I encourage all of us to keep in mind the quote of Native American Elder, Grandfather Harry Bird. ed. His quote is a guiding force for the Prayer Vigil for the Earth and an inspiration for the IDP. "A heartfelt prayer is more powerful than an atom bomb." May our prayers assist the high level talks for peace and show the impact of people praying together around the world for peace on the International Day of Peace and throughout the following weekend.
The URI as an organization has used the IDP as a shared time to promote prayers, meditations and actions for peace around the world. May we all be linked together this week in this shared intention.
May Peace Prevail on Earth.
Love, Monica Willard
URI NGO Representative to the United Nations
URI supporter Beverley Britton writes, “May we of URI all come together to actualize the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ‘a living document for the common future of humanity.’ After a very long process of advocacy and debate, especially including agreeing on LANGUAGING, the Declaration was finally adopted on Sept. 13,2007 at 11:30AM EDT. Note that Oct.8 is Indigenous Peoples Day. Sept. 28 in Native American Day.” Read on for more information about this occurrence, which offers an excellent opportunity for CCs to learn more about the modern issues of indigenous rights in the U.S., Canada, and around the world.
Share your International Day of Peace stories on the radio with the Think Peace Hour.