Happy International Peace Day!
NYCWE have one whole day, September 21st—a full 24 hours!—that the UN has officially declared be devoted to promoting peace UN Peace Day. During these war-obsessed times with the US's occupation of Iraq, it’s important to keep in mind how imperative the issue of peace is.
To encourage people to think along those lines Ploughshares is sponsoring the Peace Primary to determine which of the 12 organizations nominated will ultimately win a $100,000 grant for furthering the peace movement.
The idea of attaining world peace is NOT a hopeless cause. Virtually anything you can do will make a difference—like eating a bowl of cereal! That’s right. Peace Cereals donates 10% of their profits to peace building organizations. Bonus: They're delicious!
Technology allows us to more easily connect and weave our webs of solidarity. An initiative like Peace X Peace is a shining example of a small group of women who created an international coalition.
People of the peace persuasion are often accused of being unrealistic, eccentric dreamers like Dennis Kucinich. But as the Iraq war claims more and more lives and maims more and more others the 'Strength for Peace' presidential candidate's idea about appointing a Secretary of Peace doesn’t seem all that farfetched.
Another worthy goal: To have a day when everyone in the whole world stops fighting. Jeremy Gille’s dream is to have Peace One Day. His POD documentary shows how he’s going about his peace mission.
For those with more of a theatrical bent there is Code Pink the group of unruly activists who engage in street theater, civil disobedience and a feet-to-the-fire style of protest that gives one hope for a war-free future.
There is of course always the power of prayer and with that in mind the Prayer Wheels Project is dedicated to harnessing that power on a global scale with the never-ending determination to bring peace on earth for all beings.
Last, but certainly not least: Never underestimate pussy power! As the eponymous heroine of Aristophanes's classical Greek play, Lysistrata, goes to show: when it comes down to a hard choice wise men will always choose to make love not war.
You CAN make a difference and it’s vital that we all take an active role in creating a peaceful world in which we can all live together in harmony. Please make peace a part of your life so that every day is a Peace Day. It’s up to all of us.
Love & Peace
