peace one day
it was global day of peace and ceasefire last wednesday, the 21st.
the idea for setting aside that one day for peace and ceasefire all started with a question. is it possible to have a day of peace? that question turned into a journey. an ordinary man's quest for establishing world peace.
with the support of countless individuals and organizations, jeremy gilley, a young british filmmaker, launched Peace One Day in 1999. its aim, to establish september 21st as a UN-sanctioned International Day of Peace. he roamed the world— seeing first-hand the war-stricken grounds of africa, costa rica and meeting with heads of state and nobel peace prize laureates, pursuing his vision of a day of ceasefire and non-violence. in 2002, ironically a few days before 9-11, the united nations approved of such a fixed day of peace and ceasefire.
for the past 4 years, the day has been celebrated worldwide. not as much actual practice yet but it is slowly but surely gaining ground. from as "small" a gesture as burning toy guns in the philippines to as "big" as 2 warring african factions stopping their age-old killings and sharing a meal on that day. and the commitments for the 2006 celebration are growing. 20 thousand plus schools in london promising to join together in singing a peace song, interfaith prayer gatherings from all over the world, the list goes on and on. and it all started with one question. from one man.
the cessation of violent conflict and the creation of a moment of global unity is definitely far from being a reality. may happen in the next generation. or the one after. or may happen never. but if in the quest for it, we are able to save one life, as gilley would say, then all this is worthwhile.
"individuals can make a difference and if each of us did our bit together, collectively, we'll make a greater contribution" —kofi annan, UN secretary-general
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on the day of the celebration, an idea had struck me. to spread the word about the day throughout the world, why not have a google peace-themed logo for the day (for google does have those special edition logos for special days). i asked the help of a friend from manila and an officemate here in new york and within a few hours (and after several fax and voice messages and bounced back emails) i was talking to some google folks. the idea was well-received. BUT unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to execute. well, at least, something to do for next year. so mark your calendars. SEPT 21 2006, check google. and of course, celebrate the world day of peace. it doesnt have to be big big. it can be as "small" as making peace with a friend or having a nice dinner with friends. click here for a few more suggestions.
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on thursday, i had a lunch meeting with melissa green. she works for nyu and wanted me to renew my membership to the young alumni leadership circle (and of course donate some money to the school). it was an interesting meeting. we talked about the various programs and projects of the club. and what i like about it is that the group crosses alumni from various generations and various fields (and of course it helps that i automatically become a part of the princeton club with it, but that's of course just for the "oh-im-part-of-some-ivy-league-club" bs). was a great thai lunch paid for by the school (wow, didnt know that was coming). and im looking forward to the upcoming club event—wine tasting on tuesday with some muckety-mucks at the torch club in nyu. (hmm, i wonder if wearing my sneakers is too dressed down?)
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friday was a great treat. gave my small presentation to the office creative department. showed advertising works from all over the world. felt a bit nervous at the beginning giving a presentation to a room full of people (and 2 dogs, cricket and i forget the other), but by the moment they started really cracking up, i was actually enjoying being infront of people mostly older than i am. of course, it helped a lot that i was poking fun at the agency ceo (which hopefully wouldnt lead to a "ya fired, eh" memo on monday. yep, he's canadian.) the "very professional," "i liked your presentation," "thanks for sharing us those pieces" comments i received after made my day. well, partly. coz the free food and the monthly office happy hour after made it too.
but enough office crap. was able to watch drumstruck at night, an off-broadway show. it was absolutely amazing. drums on each seat in the theater. and the audience participated in creating the african beats and chants. lots of energy and very engaging. was like being literally taken to a different world and hearing and seeing it for real. only regret now is that i think i was too much into it coz my fingers are aching from too much enthusiastic tapping and beating.
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the small lunch get-together ive been arranging finally happened this afternoon. amazing what drawing power kuya germs has in bringing together the pinoy community. 20 people attended. not bad for a week's notice for a party. it was good sending out an invite from kuya germs coz people thought it was hilarious and were quite intrigued (although some were scared away, of course, not knowing who "kuya germs" really is). and it was just as i had wanted it to be. filipinos from different backgrounds—filipinos born and raised here, those only 6 weeks here, those here for study, those for work, those who already knew each other, those who didnt know anyone at all, and best of all those who brought friends from other countries (there was an american and a frenchman based in egypt). kuya germs even raffled off a "that's entertainment" package, a pair of movie passes. to join the raffle, you had to give your contact info. brilliant idea from kuya germs. now, he's got his contacts and is all set in organizing his next party. although i think its melanie marquez organizing an improv comedy get together next. (hahaha. world domination, here i come.)
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it's amazing being exposed to people like jeremy gilley. people with passion and who are very driven. people who are very idealistic but who are very grounded in action. when i grow up, i wanna be just like him. might take a while before i actually start dreaming of world peace though, but for now im quite happy with my little "trying to get different people to get together and hopefully get along" goal. that and finally doing my laundry.
"the world needs less cynics." —ahmad fawzi, director UN information centre in london, at the Peace One Day screening
posted by jason pacheco @ 17:13
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