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A Four Directions call for the International Day of Peace

On Sunday September 21 2008, the world will observe The International Day of Peace.

 This is a call to all people of spirit who wish to join in a global linkage for Peace as noon rolls across the planet on the vernal Equinox. We request that you add  to your observances a minute of chanting the sound of "MA" in appreciation for the Earth, her gifts and all her children.

 In all traditions, "MA" is the root sound for mother, "AH" is the sound of appreciation.

 The goal is to help create a wave of healing resonance that will sweep across the planet. It is a time of great peril and trauma on this fragile world. Can we, for a moment, come together with one heart, one mind, one voice and one intention in a tone of healing?

 Please in whatever spiritual tradition you are gathering for the International Day of Peace, please commit to a moment of global unity for all our relations.

 For more information on the International Day of Peace and portals for  this event, in the coming weeks, please go to www.internationaldayofpeace.org, www.idpvigil.com, www.uri.org, www.care2.com, www.TheTempleofSacredSound.org.

This is a co creative event. Your participation, networking and input are welcome.

"We are the ones we have waited for"

 May Peace Prevail on Earth

Rev Betsy Stang
The Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources
www.wittenbergcenter.org

bebird@aol.com

Annie B Bond, Executive Editor

Healthy & Green Living, Care2

 annie@earth.care2.com

Monica Willard

United Religions Initiative UN representative

Co- Chair International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the United Nations

Deborah Moldow

The World Peace Prayer Society

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International Day of Peace Vigil www.idpvigil.org

In 1981, the United Nations General Assembly established the International day of Peace (IDP). It was in 2001, that the GA modified the resolution (A/RES/55/282) and designated September 21st as the annual date of the International Day of Peace.

The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a day of peace and nonviolence. All peoples and organizations are invited to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner.

An ever-expanding number of people worldwide, representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, have committed to the task of working with other like-minded individuals and groups for an International Day of Peace Vigil with the following objective:

"To encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace and nonviolence on the International Day of Peace, 21 September in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals, and by all men, women and children who seek peace in the world."

This global 24-hour spiritual observation for peace is meant to demonstrate the power of prayer and other spiritual practices in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict. These worldwide spiritual observances will also help raise public awareness of the International Day of Peace and directly support the establishment of a global ceasefire. Individuals and groups are invited to support this worldwide initiative by committing to hold a 24-hour vigil on 21 September.  www.idpvigil.org

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Letter issued by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon regarding International Day of Peace

Dear friends,

Peace is one of humanity's most precious needs. It is also the United Nations' highest calling.

It defines our mission. It drives our discourse. And it draws together all of our worldwide work, from peacekeeping and preventive diplomacy to promoting human rights and development.

This work for peace is vital. But it is not easy. Indeed, in countless communities across the world, peace remains an elusive goal. From the displaced person camps of Chad and Darfur to the byways of Baghdad, the quest for peace is strewn with setbacks and suffering.

September 21, the International Day of Peace, is an occasion to take stock of our efforts to promote peace and well-being for all people everywhere.

It is an opportunity to appreciate what we have already accomplished, and to dedicate ourselves to all that remains to be done.

It is also meant to be a day of global ceasefire: a 24-hour respite from the fear and insecurity that plague so many places.

Today, I urge all countries and all combatants to honour this cessation of hostilities. And I ask people everywhere to observe a minute of silence at noon local time.

As the guns fall silent, we should use this opportunity to ponder the price we all pay due to conflict. And we should resolve to vigorously pursue ways to make permanent this day's pause.

On this International Day, let us promise to make peace not just a priority, but a passion. Let us pledge to do more, wherever we are in whatever way we can, to make every day a day of peace.

Thank you.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

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Note: If you would like to add your name and /or organization to this call, for now, please email bebird@aol.com. We will keep you updated as the websites are updated.