PEACE CELEBRATIONS ACROSS EUROPE

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006

The World Flag Ceremony, in celebration of the International Day of Peace in Salzburg, Austria

This year, WFWP, Europe focused on creating several events across Europe to commemorate the United Nations' International Day of Peace. The United Nations declared, on Thursday, September 21, a day of global ceasefire, a day of peace and non-violence. United Nations member countries held events to celebrate the International Day of Peace: one minute of silence was observed at noon, some schools focused their attention on peace through special assemblies or discussions, and prayer vigils and peace concerts were organized. Below are summaries of the activities sponsored by WFWP, Europe in several countries.

AUSTRIA

Vienna:
The event in Vienna was organized by The Austrian Network for Peace and Non-violence. This coalition was formed by thirty-five groups in 2000, in response to UNESCO's call for an 'International Decade of a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World', from 2001 to 2010, which was the result of an appeal to the UN by several Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. For the event, there was an Information Mile, lined with information tables, near St. Stephan's Cathedral, the most famous cathedral in Vienna. WFWP members gave out information leaflets.

Salzburg:
This year marks the second commemoration of the International Day of Peace by the Peace Network of Salzburg, held at the UNESCO high school in Elsbethen. WFWP members were among the more than 100 participants who shared their wishes for peace. During the celebration,

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's message (see below) was read, as well as a message from the Mayor, Dr. Schaden.

Activities included an "Art for Peace" painting session by the LOSITO African-European Arts Exchange; a drumming session by the Peace Pole Project; a project initiated by the World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS); greetings from representatives of the world's religions and civil society, including Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Baha'i; Caritas overseas assistance (Lebanon) Attic, Intersol, and the World Prayer Peace Society; and a World Flag ceremony.

The World Flag ceremony included the reading of a peace message as each of the religious and civil society representatives lit a candle. The candles were placed on a circle of flags. A beautiful stillness came as all observed this ceremony with the lights flickering on the globe in the dark room.

Cutting the 'Peace Cake'

UNITED KINGDOM

In the communities of Watford, women met at the Multi Racial Community Centre for a cup of tea and a piece of a 'Peace Cake'. There were around 50 women: 25 to 30 Muslim and around 15 to 20 Christian.

In Watford, the ladies of the local WFWP chapter baked cakes and decorated an especially large cake with the word Peace, which was shared with their sisters from the Watford Muslim Women's Organisation. The cake was cut together by 4 women from different racial backgrounds.

International Day of Peace celebration in Slovakia

SLOVAKIA

This year, WFWP organized a celebration in Dunajska Luzna, close to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Thirty participants gathered for a program which began with a short meditation and prayer for peace.

The president of WFWP, Slovakia, Ester Calovkova, wrote a beautiful poem about peace that brought many to tears. All were deeply touched by her inspired words. Peter Badac from Kosice contributed to the program with a delicious meal, as well as with guitar and songs. The songs created an atmosphere of substantial peace and friendship.

SWITZERLAND

Panel members for the "Peace, Gender Equality and Development" panel

A program was held in Geneva. The Working Groups on Peace and on Women's Employment and Economic Development, of the Geneva NGO Committee on the Status of Women of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO), organized a panel on "Peace, Gender Equality and Development," to mark the International Day of Peace and to mobilize action in relation to the work of the Human Rights Council.

Some of the key issues highlighted by the Panel as needing immediate attention included:

• The massive violation of women's human rights in war-torn areas such as Darfur, Sri Lanka, Colombia and the Middle East regions which necessitates not only compassion but most urgently "passion" and decisive action.

• The question was raised about the misuse of security budgets allocated for human security and development by UN Member States in order to maintain anxiety and a culture of fear and violence for the vested interest of a few.

• Attention was called to the obvious gaps in the integration of women in the UN Reform, notably the Peace Building Commission and the Human Rights Council. Participants called for re-emphasizing the importance of gender equality perspectives and women's right to development and, in this regard, the issue of the need for a UN women's specialized agency was raised.

Participants were struck by the exemplary efforts of a young woman from Kosovar who, after experiencing the atrocities of war in her own family and country, decided against hatred and created her own peace movement, "Kids for Peace", at the age of twelve.