ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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For Progress and Obstacles, see international report by Pathways to Peace which makes an annual report of Peace Day activities, from which the following is taken:
The
Children’s Peace Movement International, (WHEDA) for the promotion of
the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World,
was inaugurated on the eve of IDP 2003. At the IDP event in Uyo, Akwa
Ibom, there was also an Interdenominational Prayer Congress for World
Peace. On the day itself, a special church service was held followed by
a peace rally and procession around the city of Oyu, the Akwa Ibom
State capital, to proclaim, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." A special
letter from the children was delivered to the President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, calling on government to evolve a political
culture that is based on transparency, fairness, accountability and the
rule of law as a way to promote peaceful co-existence among the diverse
ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria. (2003)
Nigerian Group
For Goodwill: A press release and article about the International Day
of Peace was placed in "PUNCH", one of the most influential and widely
distributed newspapers in Nigeria, on the eve of the IDP. It included
notice of the Peace Day Essay project initiated by the Nigerian Group
for Goodwill, calling for essays and poems on the topic of "Building a
Culture of Peace for the Present and Future Generations" from
interested co-workers. The aim is to compile the essays and poems
received into a booklet on peace building for wide circulation. The
compilation will be similar to that on "Tolerance, Goodwill and Peace"
produced by World Goodwill in 1995. (2004)
Religious Youth
Service held a service for Peace as part of "World Peace through
Inter-religious Actions and Dialogue," and other International Day of
Peace observances. (2003) In 2004, the International Day of Peace Vigil
held a 3-day programme, well-covered by media, that included: 1)
Inducting 3 institutions representing media, educational, and religion
into the Guild Of Peace; 2) March Of Peace and rally by different youth
groups and a coalition of NGOs from different religions; 3) Bridge of
Peace Ceremony; 4) Peace Education by volunteers to various polarized
areas; 5) Songs of Peace. (2004)
Teachers Without
Borders-Nigeria utilized the IDP (2004) to thank all the people of the
world who are making efforts to bring about a world of peace, and
dedicate their own work toward the goal of establishing a West African
peace College, and sponsoring the All Nigeria Peace Soccer Tournament.
(2004)
World Peace Prayer Society
Agenda for Community
Development (AFCODE) marked IDP as a member of World Prayer for Peace,
by dedicating a Peace Pole mounted at Kidsland Nursery and Primary
School, Lagos. There was a brief drama performance by AFCODE theatre
factory and poem recitation by pupils of Kidsland School. The program
started with a peace prayer, and a keynote address for over 100
students gathered, who were reminded of the need to be tolerant of one
another. Other parts of the world where war is still going on were
mentioned, and the children were asked to pray for peace in those
countries, like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Bosnia, and other parts of the
world that are just recovering from war. The children learned a simple
peace song, and at the conclusion, launched a Kids for Peace Club with
30 students from ages 6-12 being the pioneer members. (2004)
Lagos
Peace Walk: The International Day of Peace was marked with a walk and a
visit to two of the local governments in Lagos State, Yaba local
government and the Mainland local government, by WPPA representatives.
(2004)
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