Observing the Eve of the International Day of Peace: An Interfaith Roundtable Discussion Inroads Ministry and the Interfaith Awareness Week in Wisconsin is observing the UN International Day of Peace, September 21, and the Week of Global Interreligious Dialogue, on SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 in Middleton, Wisconsin.
MIDDLETON, WI – This year much of humanity will conduct the largest global observance of the International Day of Peace ever on or around Sept. 21st. Thousands of organizations and hundreds of millions of people worldwide observe this occasion. Many events last for several days. Some will start on this year's 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001; others will continue through Oct. 2, Gandhi's birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence. One focal point across the entire planet will be the minute of silence at 12:00 noon, in all time zones worldwide, on Sept. 21 - as requested by Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations.
2011 marks the Ninth Annual Week of Global Interreligious Dialogue. During the week of September 15-21, individuals and organizations around the world are encouraged to share their religious, spiritual, and cultural values and traditions in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace: “… a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities.” In previous years the Week of Global Interreligious Dialogue has been celebrated in communities in Iran, India, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Australia, Taiwan, Finland, the Philippines, the UK, and the United States. www.internationaldayofpeace.org , www.cultureofpeace.org , and www.pathwaystopeace.org .
Here is a link to a 3 minute informative and entertaining video about the International Day of Peace.
Although Interfaith Awareness Week in Wisconsin will be December 4-10, 2011, having events and exhibits throughout that week at the state capitol and other locations, it was deemed important to join in this international effort, even in a small way. Inroads Ministry, a pastoral ministry directed by Rev. Fr. John-Brian Paprock, has been the primary sponsor of Interfaith Awareness Week since 1998. The week is co-sponsored by the Greater Madison Area Interreligious Association.
Observing the Eve of the International Day of Peace
An Interfaith Roundtable Discussion
September 20, 2011
6:30 pm to 8:00pm
Middleton Public Library - Archer Room
7425 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, Wisconsin
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The International Day of Peace was established by a unanimous resolution of the United Nations in 1981. Its mission is to provide a common time period for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on or near a shared date, and to bring together efforts from around the world whose ultimate focus is to promote peace and sustainability. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. In recent years, this observance has included significant portions of humanity due to the proliferation of wireless technology, computers and cell phones,
The United Nations announced earlier this year that the theme for this year's International Day of Peace 2011 is 'Make Your Voice Heard'. In doing so it thanked the thousands of organizations who have 'institutionalized' this observance worldwide.
Peace Day saves lives. Nations and governing bodies the world over are joining the call for peace through a range of activities including ceasefires, proclamations, and pledges for humanitarian aid. Religious groups and educational institutions across the planet are conducting both educational and community service programs. Many non-government organizations use this occasion as an opportunity to promote their year round efforts, whether their focus is on human rights, the environment, humanitarian relief, poverty, health care, disarmament or international cooperation. World leaders and public figures call for participation; businesses and professionals create various types of promotions; individuals can participate in many ways - even privately, or with friends and family. The combination of all of these activities creates long term impact, beyond the annual observance.
One such peace building effort, that Inroads Ministry participates with, is the Culture of Peace Initiative (CPI), which is a UN-designated Peace Messenger program established by Pathways To Peace that includes thousands of organizations from around the world. Pathways To Peace has been working with the United Nations to promote the observance of the International Day of Peace since its inception in 1981. The Culture of Peace Initiative has promoted peace by bringing together previously unseen and unheard voices working towards peace, as well as uniting the strengths of established organizations to help create a worldwide 'culture of peace' for future generations. For more information about Pathways To Peace, the Culture of Peace Initiative, and the International Day of Peace as well as listings of thousands of events worldwide, please visit
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