September 21st marks Peace Day, a day which has been widely observed across the world for the last two years.
The day gained recognition in Afghanistan in 2007, following a campaign led by documentary film-maker Jeremy Gilley and his organisation, Peace One Day.
The efforts of Mr Gilley led to a unanimous adoption by UN member states of an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence on September 21st.
In 2007 and 2008 Mr Gilley visited Afghanistan with Peace One Day ambassador Jude Law, leading to Peace Day agreements by the Afghan government, NATO and the Taliban. Last year the UN recorded a 70 per cent reduction in violence on Peace Day, and aid workers were able to vaccinate three million children against polio on Peace Day 2007 and 2008.
Peace One Day organisers said this year the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) will be calling for ceasefire once again, to allow vital medical work and community projects to take place.
'If these events can happen in Afghanistan they can happen anywhere. It's been amazing how organisations like UNICEF and UNAMA have made it even more successful every year,' Mr Gilley said.
'There's a real thirst for peace in Afghanistan and that's why the day is so successful. People who deal with conflict on a daily basis really understand the importance of peace.'
'It just proves to the cynic this day is way beyond symbolism. It saves lives.'
Non-governmental organisation across the world have also organised events to mark Peace day.
In Afghanistan the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF will be carrying out polio vaccinations on the border areas of Pakistan, and in normally difficult to access areas, a two day cricket camp will be organised by UNICEF, and Child Rights Consortium kite competitions will be held in Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar e Sharif and Kandahar, there will be a painting workshop for street children and a month-long advertising campaign with the slogan: 'What are you doing for peace?'
In northern Uganda War Child will be working to help former child soldiers and other children whose lives have been torn apart by war to get access to education and rebuild their lives. The charity will also be calling on the public to help raise awareness of the 300,000 child soldiers around the world by adding a photo of their salute to their Facebook gallery and joining thousands of others supporting the 'I got Soul, but I'm not a soldier' campaign.
In Botswana, Malawi, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, Habitat for Humanity will be organising housing projects to assist families in need. In Kenya Camps International Trust will organise a human wildlife peace day to bring communities and wildlife together to prevent conflict between species and celebrate a shared environment. This work is to help people living in areas which encroach on traditional wildlife habitats.
The charity will also be working in where they will hold the Peace Day 'Borneo Tour'. Gap year students will tour conservation areas including the Sepilok Orang-utan Sanctuary and then put on a show to visitors about forest regeneration work.
No comments:
Post a Comment