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Organization: International Day of Peace in Australia
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
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Postal address of organization/institution

---

E-mail address of organization/institution

info@cultureofpeace.org

Website address of organization/institution

http://cultureofpeace.org

Telephone of organization/institution

1-413-329-7517

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS
WOMEN'S EQUALITY
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION
INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity


PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

See website

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

2009:

Brisbane: International Day of Peace Alliance Brisbane organized a series of events. An estimated 1000 attended Mt. Coot-tha Peace Fair. There was a live link to UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan via Skype. Funds were raised for Afghanistan and orphanages around the world. A 24 Hour Vigil was organized in the city center. 89 young people participated in the Youth Peace Parliament to debates issues of peace at Parliament House.

Sydney: Jack Tsonis and Lindsay Morrison broke the world record for the longest handshake (12:34:56) and used the day to raise money for charity. An estimated 800 attended "Think Peace Speak peace" at Oxford Falls Peace Park; events included live music, guest speakers, origami crane making & international food vendors. A few hundred attended a 14 hour peace vigil at Martin Place, which was telecast to Assisi Italy. Brotherhood Mission Sydney organized a blood drive.

New South Wales: A giant Peace sign and Peace dove was created at 'the skillion' at Terrigal. Paddington: 100+ attended a public screening of "Soldiers of Peace".

Melbourne: A world Peace walk was held on 9/13, organized by Universal Peace Society. Australian Peace Prize 2009 was awarded to Senator Bob Brown – it was followed by musical entertainment and a screening of "The Day After Peace".  embers of Sant Nirankari Mission (SNM) organized a Tree Plantation Drive and a congregation with talks on how to promote Peace, pictures and more.

Other Peace Day events held in: Maroochydore, Torquay, Adelaide, Box Hill (VIC), Brighton, Darlinghurst, Mt. Glorious, Rowville, Yandina Creek, Salzburg. Yoga events were held in: Annandale, Currumbin, Greenwich, Longueville, Melbourne, Oxford Falls, Vienna. An online state-wide video conference organized by Youth Peace Initiative took place between secondary students interested in promoting Peace and helping their communities and world.

2007:

The city of Adelaide raised the United Nations flag and sang "Heal the World." The day also marked the launch of an exhibition of peace artwork and a commemoration for peace activists. A stall selling coffee and embroidery raised funds for the developing world. As night fell, participants reveled in a multi-faith time of reflection, a universal display of inter-faith peace, and stood in solidarity for women peacemakers worldwide.

Bahai Community On September 16th in Adelaide, there was an hour of inspirational readings and music on peace and harmony.

Beautifulmind Beautifulworld, Adelaide, set up the sale of hand-made peace themed cards with Ethiopian coffee and snacks.

Belgrave Community Arts Partnership A group of 15 in Melbourne (Belgrave) participated in a meditation morning and afternoon ceremony with Peace art.

Benton Junior College About 580 youth in multi-age fellowship groups in Mornington stopped for a minute of silence at noon, which was followed by a peace pledge. The ceremony closed with the children singing "Under the Southern Sky".

Byron Peace Group: A Peace Pole gathering took place at noon in Byron Shire which included a Peace Flame, surfers which took the peace message to the waters of the bay and grandmothers brandishing pots, pans and drums for peace for one minute on September 23rd.

Cabrini Health An Interfaith service was held at Cabrini Health Malvern Chapel in Melbourne.

Devonport, Tasmania saw a series of Peace Day celebrations, such as the Aloha Vision Peace Celebration, Peace Pole ceremonies, Peace display at the library, Storytelling on themes of Peace and indigenous community celebrations.

Earthdance Prayer for Peace in Adelaide. This year, the “Prayer for Peace” was followed by a unified global OM, as people across the world synchronized their voices with the intention of healing Earth‟s waters. Then followed the recording of a fundamental tone which will serve as a foundation for people to tune into.

Flinders University Multi-Faith Centre set up a multi-faith display in the foyer from the perspective of many different faiths, beliefs and philosophies from September 17 – 27th.

Graham F. Smith Peace Trust Inc. & Psychologists and members from peace, human rights, environment and other solidarity organizations celebrated and networked, demonstrated solidarity, shared food, drink and hopes for the future in Adelaide.

Greens Western Australia organized a vegetarian buffet in Perth with music and speakers reflecting on peace and bridging cultural divides.

Hands of Help held a meditation event in Sydney with 45 people.

The International Day of Peace Alliance Brisbane organized a whole weekend of Peace Day celebrations. The program included “Speaker‟s Green Event – Queensland Youth Commemoration of the IDP”, CUA Peace Fair, a peace fire, prayer for peace, Indian bazaar, mass for peace with special intention for East Timor, universal prayer/meditation for peace, the Brisbane Peace Film Festival 2007, and a youth peace parliament.

International Presentation Association 2600 members across three countries participated in a circle of Prayer during the 24 hours of the 21st of September.

A small group held a "Let's Talk About Peace" quiz night in Adelaide.

Ministry for Peace Australia held a twelve hour continuous vigil in Sydney with more than 100 people with an Aboriginal Elder performing a smoking ceremony, the arrival of the World Peace Flame and presentations by Brahma Kumaris, SG Australia Buddhists, Bahai's, Uniting Church, Jewish Social Justice Committee, Quakers, Affinity Muslim Group, Sikh Community, Pax Christi and many more.

Multi-Faith Centre in Griffith University celebrated on September 17th in Brisbane with over 200 elementary and high school students and their teachers and 50 faith and community leaders with a program which included: a multi-faith prayer service, song and dance performances, peace messages written by students and an interfaith chant.

Save the Children Thebarton Senior College in Torrensville celebrated with peace-building activities, as the school will become an official UN Global Peace School.

Shri Ram Chandra Mission: Events with 150 people in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth participated in an event with a film, speakers, prayer and meditation for peace.

Sikh Kirtan Prachar Mission of Australia celebrated in Sydney with 250 people on September 23rd with peace prayers and performances by several youth choir groups.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom held a silent vigil on September 26th on the steps of Parliament House in Adelaide.

World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) – Interfaith Peace Ceremony in Bacchus Marsh.

YHA and TAFE SA Adelaide Centre for the Arts launched an exhibition of photographs in Adelaide.

2005:

Bahai Society of Flinders University For 9 days, starting on 21st September, there was a public display in the library foyer of Flinders University, Beadford park, South Australia, Australia. The display represented all the major faiths, and some other organisations interested in peace. Quotes and pictures of peace were displayed, and a flyer with the title “How to Achieve World Peace. 13 basic steps: a Baha’i perspective” was handed out to students and visitors. With all the major religions of the world represented, the display aimed to show the oneness of religion and through that the oneness of mankind, both of which are required for peace to be established.

Brahma Kumaris Youth in collaboration with Ashfield Council held Peace Day celebrations in Ashfield Park on September 24th. The Mayor, counselors and Youth Services were amongst the participants and the day included a music performance by international star Armando Hurley and an appearance by the Peace Angels. Also on the program was the launching of three projects funded by the Council: a Peace Point Sign, Self Empowerment Workshops for Young People and a Peace Park Project.

Macuarie Fields High School in Sydney themed their annual celebration day “Peace” in honor of International Day of Peace. As part of the day’s events, a traditional Aboriginal land ceremony was held and students were encouraged to wear clothing related to the theme of Peace.

World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) Cockburn, Western Australia International Day of Peace was celebrated by a gathering of community members and guest speakers, including WPPS representative Mr. PJ Mahuvawalla. Counselor Sue Limbert represented the City of Cockburn at the event that took place at Civic Centre in Cockburn. The program included presentations of WPPS, lighting of a Peace candle, singing of the Peace song (Let there be Peace on Earth) and the making of cardboard Peace poles. It also included a discussion on the theme “what can I do individually for Peace?”. All participants received bags containing information material as well as bumper stickers, pins and Peace candles.

Devonport Devonport City Council’s Bushland Coordinator conducted a community walk in the Kelcey Tier Greenbelt to mark International Day of Peace. Participants walked to see the city’s first permanent Peace pole, that was planted by the multicultural youth group Fresh Xpress in June 2005. After visiting the Peace pole, the group walked to the Allison Track lookout to view the giant lizard sculpture known as “Preeatenna” (lizard in Tasmanian Aboriginal language). Members of the public were given some background about the making of the Peace pole, and why the Kelcey Tier Greenbelt was chosen as the location for it.

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

On a global level, reported events for the International Day of Peace continue to grow year after year (see the website listed above):

In the 2005 Report, 155 Peace Day events in 47 countries are presented.

The 2007 records show that:
* We had 623 commitments across the world
* 70 countries
* 225 cities (outside of the USA)
* 42 US states
* An estimate of nearly 500,000 participants
* An average of 500 people per event

2009 annual report listed 700+ events

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

not reported

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

The International Day of Peace is an annual event.

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

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Organization: International Day of Peace in Australia

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