m to 7pm Tuesday, September 21 – Martin Place, Sydney

“Peace is a Human Right”

• Opening: Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony; “World Peace Flame” ceremony
• Universal Peace Federation Choir
• Singing Bowls
• Marrickville Peace Group – Yoga Demonstration
• Pax Christi,  Pace e Bene
• Multi Faith Opening Prayer
• Masada College Year 10 Dance  & Song
• Official opening  with representatives of the Premier and political parties
• Knox Grammar Pipers
• Knox Grammar Brass Band
• Universal Dancers for Peace and participation in a Million Minutes of Peace
• Knox Grammar Pipers- will Pipe in the Consuls General
• Nations of the World Ceremony  – Consuls General and the 194 UN nation states’ flags.
• Diversity in Unity Segment. Balinese Dancers courtesy Indonesian Consul
• Diversity in Unity Segment. Bollywood Dancers courtesy Indian Consul
• Diversity in Unity Segment. Italian Folk Dancers
• 55 minute Documentary: “Soldiers of Peace”.
• Pop Concert:  Luke Watson & Band
• Tongan Dancers
• Sikh Community
• Baha’i Community Choir

6th July- MFPA Panel Presentation at IPRA Conference
12.30-1400 Footbridge Theatre University of Sydney. Topic- IS IT TIME TO INSTITUTIONALISE PEACE. Speakers Dr Keith Suter; Mr.Muhaned H. Alsemawee,Chair MfP -Iraq; Mr. Manish Thapa, Founder MfP- Nepal; Biannca Pace, Chair MfP-Australia. Conference Delegates Welcome.

7th July-  MFPA, CPACS (University of Sydney) and the Sydney Peace Foundation present: “Conflict Resolution in the Struggle for Self-Determination” – Western Sahara and Tamil (LTTE) Case Studies.
Workshop led by Prof. Johan Galtung, & Prof. Stephen Zunes Intro Prof. Stuart Rees.Venue: Barnet Long Room, Customs House Circular Quay Sydney.TIme: 1800 -2000- Fee $30 includes refreshments All welcome.

17 September- UN Int’l Day of Peace
Youth Peace Celebration Knox Grammar Wahroonga: Invitation Only

21 September- UN Int’l Day of Peace -Sydney Peace Festival
Martin Place Sydney CBD – 7am-7pm : All Welcome

N.B. 4pm AEST = 8am in Assisi

There are many ways you can help, from simply guiding & directing people to helping with set-up & pull-down of the event. Or maybe you have some specialist skills which you would like to offer for the event.

The programme for the day can be found here.

If you are interested in volunteering for the whole day or for a few hours, please fill in the form below so that a volunteer co-ordinator can contact you.

Directed by
TIM WISE
Executive Producer
Steve Killelea
Narrated by Actor & United Nations Messenger of Peace
MICHAEL DOUGLAS
Featuring interviews with
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Hans Blix
Prince Hussan of Jordan
Sir Bob Geldof
Sir Richard Branson
Scilla Elworthy

Running Time: 85 mins

Screening : 21st September 2009, 6:30pm – Martin Place, Sydney

Price : Free

A powerful documentary narrated by Michael Douglas, Soldiers of Peace travels around the globe revealing the inspiring every day people who are proving that peace is a more viable alternative to war in these turbulent times. Through tolerance and understanding, the film illustrates the connections between individual acts of enterprise and heroism, and the systemic changes we now need, if we are to survive the 21st Century. Featuring interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Hans Blix, Sir Bob Geldof and Sir Richard Branson amongst many others, Soldiers Of Peace takes us on an inspiring journey across 14 countries and shows us we really can make a difference. In a world dominated by the negative – this film offers the life affirmative message that peace can be achieved.

FREE SCREENING

TRAILER

On September 21, people from all around the world will stop at noon and pray or meditate for peace for one minute – each in their own way.  Odyssey Networks are seeking pledges from people to participate in this and have their name added to the Peace Pledge Book.  Sign up here to say you will stop for a minute at noon on the 21st.

Ms Biannca Pace, Chair of Ministry for Peace, said “On Monday 21 September, Sydneysiders, city workers, school children and tourists will come together to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

“It is the first year for the celebration to be held in Martin Place, starting at 6am through to 8pm. The theme this year is ‘Let Peace Prevail on Earth.’”

“Over the 14 hour period, Sydney will join the United Nations’ global call for ceasefire and non-violence. The event will be telecast for the first time to the city of Assisi, known worldwide as the City of Peace.”

Ms Pace said “People of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and religions will hear and talk about the ideals of peace, the cost of war and celebrate the benefits of resolving disputes peacefully.

“The celebration will look spectacular with 194 flags of every country in the world, peace presentations by leaders from all religions and consular generals, and performances by students representing more than 20 schools from around Sydney.”

Coordinated by the Ministry for Peace for the fourth year in a row, the celebration in Martin Place is expected to attract the biggest crowd yet in the event’s history.

“Martin Place is an ideal location to bring the people of the city together. It is the one day of the year that we can put our differences aside and focus on our similarities.

“The celebration will unify the city’s disparate voices into one voice for peace.

“We encourage all of Sydney to come to Martin Place on September 21 and join in the peace celebrations!” said Ms Pace.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

‘LET PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH’

Date:            Monday 21 September 2009

Time:           6am – 8pm (refer to page two for timetable)

Location:     Martin Place, Sydney CBD

Website:      www.ministryforpeace.org.au

Event images available on request. Refer to page two for pic/filming opportunities.

Media contact: Bernadette Rose – 0437 528 142, or Biannca Pace – 0401 753 790; bpace@ministryforpeace.org.au

Coordinated by the Ministry for Peace for the fourth year in a row, the vigil marks the United Nations’ global call for ceasefire and non-violence, with Sydney displaying the city’s desire for a peaceful existence on the day. The event will be telecast for the first time to the city of Assisi, known worldwide as the ‘city of peace.’

“We are expecting the biggest crowd yet to attend this year’s peace vigil as it is the only day on the calendar year that unifies the city’s disparate voices and different cultures into one voice for peace,” said Ms Biannca Pace, Chair of Ministry for Peace.

“The day is an opportunity for the people of Sydney to put differences aside that may normally exist in their day-to-day lives, and join forces in the global call for ceasefire and non-violence.”

“New this year is a live telecast to International Day of Peace celebrations in the city of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, the patron saint of Italy. People gathered in Martin Place will hear messages of peace from the Mayor of Assisi, the Bishop of Assisi, Franciscan Monks from each of the four Franciscan orders and children of Assisi. It will be a moving experience,” said Ms Pace.

Martin Place will be transformed for 14 hours into a place of reflection where people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and religions will hear and talk about the ideals of peace, the cost of war and celebrate the benefits of peacefully resolving disputes.

Ms Pace said, “The vigil will be spectacular with 194 flags of every country in the world, presentations by leaders from all religions and consular generals on what peace is to their country, and performances by students representing more than 40 schools from around Sydney.”

“There will be singing, dancing, story-telling, reading from sacred texts, yoga demonstrations plus more. We encourage all of Sydney to come and join in the peace celebrations!”

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
Date:             Monday 21 September 2009
Time:            6am – 8pm
Location:    Martin Place, Sydney CBD
Media contact: Bernadette Rose – 0437 528 142, or Biannca Pace – 0401 753 790

Wednesday, 12 August 2009

Around 100 young people from NSW have gathered at Parliament House today to debate peace in politics at the inaugural Youth Peace Parliament, said Acting Minister for Youth, Linda Burney.

Minister Burney officially opened the event that was organised by the Ministry for Peace, a non-profit organisation calling on the Australian Federal Government to establish a Department of Peace.

“Today’s marks the first time that the future generation of NSW have met at Parliament House to discuss the role of peace in democracy,” said Ms Burney.

“More than 90 young people were in attendance at the Youth Peace Parliament and they represented 23 schools from around NSW, including areas such as Broken Hill, Berrigan Shire, Dubbo and Wagga Wagga.

“The young people, from grades nine to 12, became members of parliament for the day, including splitting into political parties and electing leaders.

“Prior to the event, they studied how the parliamentary process worked so they could put what they learnt at school into practice at Parliament House,” said Ms Burney.

In addition to electing a leader, the young people elected a deputy leader and a party whip. They then held party meetings to decide on bills to put forward in Parliament. The three parties were named Blue Peace, White Peace and Aqua Peace.

“The Youth Peace Parliament was a great opportunity for young people to understand how parliament works, debate issues of concern to them, and understand how laws are passed in NSW,” said Ms Burney.

Ms Burney also presented 16 young people with Ministry for Peace ‘Youth Ambassador’ certificates.

“The Ministry for Peace now has 62 official youth ambassadors. They represent the ministry, and act as official ambassadors of peace in their schools and in their communities.

“The role of youth ambassador is an important responsibility, particularly leading up to and on the day of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, celebrated annually on September 21.”

Ministry for Peace Chair, Biannca Pace, said the Youth Peace Parliament was an opportunity for young people to review parliamentary procedures and processes.

“By being part of Youth Peace Parliament at Parliament House, young people had first-hand experience of parliamentary processes.”
“They provided feedback on how parliament can improve, which we will keep and present to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd next year, after the second Youth Peace Parliament.

“In addition, I gave out two awards to young people. The first was a ‘Peace Pioneer’ award given to the most original and applicable motion put forward. The second was the ‘Advocate of Peace’ award given to a young person who demonstrated passion and commitment to peace through their public speaking and actions throughout the day,” said Ms Pace.

Ms Burney said, “Youth Peace Parliament is a great program to engage young people in the state’s political system.

“I congratulate the Ministry for Peace for organising the event, and teachers and parents for supporting the program and actively educating young people on parliamentary processes.”