Special collaboration from Georgina Galanis (GMCoP)

The group, Global Movement for the Culture of Peace (GMCoP), has been diligently collaborating, planning and envisioning how in 2013 together we can expand channels of consciousness to create positive and impactful change, both individually and collectively.

To this aim, weare pleased to invite non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society and youth, all of whom are interested in the ways and means to promote the Culture of Peace, to the second UNITED NATIONS HIGH LEVEL FORUM ON THE CULTURE OF PEACE (HLF/CoP)!  

The Forum will be convened by H.E. MR.VUK JEREMIĆ,Presidentof the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in cooperation with Global Movement for the Culture of Peace.  It promises to be an enlivening and stimulating daylongevent, which will be held at United Nations-NYHeadquarters in the Trusteeship Council Chamber on Friday 6 September 2013 from 9:30a.m. to 6:00p.m.

At this year's HLF/CoP opening ceremony, UNGA President Jeremić and Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson will speak, along with a keynote speaker, special guest and foreign ministers.  The opening session will be followed by three panel discussions: 

1. "The role of interfaith cooperation in promoting a global Culture of Peace" in the morning,
2. "The Culture of Peace as the agenda for a new global civilization: Where are we now?"
3. "Strategies for advancing implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Culture of Peace: What we need." in the afternoon session.

Special focus of the High Level Forum will be on the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Culture of Peace adopted by the UN General Assembly 13 September 1999. (A/RES/53/243). 

The program is promised to deliver a line up of committed individuals, educators, UN member states and special guests.  We invite you to join our registration / or watch via the live webcast ---- 

Register Here, follow the Webcast LIVE, and read the full Media Release.

Make peace a prime reason for dialogue and youth engagement in family and community.  Educators are encouraged to ask the question: "What is it that you think the world needs more of to advance The Culture of Peace? " 

 Special collaboration from Edwin M John, Director, Neighbourhood Community Network (NCN)

Raising child peace activists through Neighbourhood Parliaments of Children.

During the session of the UN Commission on Women last March, in a mammoth gathering to mark International Women's Day at UN Headquarters, New York, a 13-year old visually impaired girl, got the floor and introduced herself: "I am Swarnalakshmi, the prime minster of the State Parliament of Children of Tamilnadu, India".

The movement of multi-tier federation of Neighbourhood Parliaments of Children (NPCs) that she represents promises to provide a massive network of child activists for peace. NCPs have been organized in thousands spreading over some 23 States of India and in some other countries.. www.childrenparliament.in;

NPCs are territorially organized forums in neighbourhoods of about thirty families/children. Each NCP has its own Child ministers for any concern of relevance like environment, human rights, justice, health, education, sports, cultural action etc. NPCs are federated at various levels of governance like village, sub-district, district, State etc., with child ministers at each of these levels.

"We build a culture of peace" says Muthu Selva Ganesh,18, a former State-level Child Prime minister, now promoting similar parliaments for youth. "We get children to work together, in inclusive forums irrespective of caste/race or creed, for common causes. Children who work together cannot grow up violent and divisive."

Tamilnadu-Pondicherry State Parliament of Children won the global UNICEF San Marino Alexander Bodini award in 2009 for the best child-led organization for child rights action.

"... With a child minister for peace in every child parliament, NPCs could offer the best child-led network for peace-action too..." says Lanita Charles of Neighbourhood Community Network that promotes children parliaments and a similar vision for a politics of peace.

 Special message received on our facebook page from: Mary Colborn

"... Hi, we are working on a project called the Love Letter Project, which is inspired by Global Love Letters, a movement that encourages people to write an anonymous love letter and leave it in a random place for anyone to find.  We are working on a project where people write anonymous love letters during the week of September 15th with the biggest push on Saturday, the International Day of Peace. It seems like the perfect day and time to spread unity, peace and love..."  

Visit the Love Letter Project facebook page

Love Letter Project

Visit our Culture of Peace store: Mugs, clocks, water bottles, coasters, magnets in 6 different designs adapted from our logo. Bring Peace home, to work, to school, to your friends and have the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI) logo be a reminder that you too are a Pathway To Peace! 

The logo was created by international artist, author and peace ambassador Irene Kai, and has inspired millions of people around the world. It is now available to you. By purchasing these products you will be supporting the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI), a United Nations Peace Messenger Initiative, and Pathways To Peace. Designs include: May Peace Reside in Your Heart; Going Green and more.

Please share any and all of this information on your web sites, in your newsletters, on your Facebook posts, or in other media.  Also please invite others to sign up for this newsletter so they can receive the information directly. You can forward with the button below. 

Thank you!

Building pathways to Peace toward a Culture of Peace for the Common Good. May Peace Prevail On Earth!