Peace Day Celebrations at the United Nations

On Friday, September 16 the Brahma Kumaris attended a number of events to mark the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 21, held at the UNHQ, NY. The three Nobel Peace Laureates were in the courtyard of the UNHQ meeting and greeting friends and visitors before they were rushed off to the Ringing of the Peace Bell in the gardens!!

The celebrations continued in the General Assembly Hall where we had the pleasure and honor of listening to the Secretary General, H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon; President of the 71st. Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson; four of the United Nations Messengers of Peace – Mr. Michael Douglas, Dr. Jane Goodall, Mr. Stevie Wonder, and Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio; three of the Nobel Peace Laureates – Ms. Tawakkol Karman, Ms. Leymah Gbowee, and Ms. Shirin Ebadi; and Global Teacher Award winner, Ms. Hanan Al Hroub.

They each shared their deep concern for peace to be restored in our beautiful world, stating we have the gift of the 2030 Agenda to help us get there.  As Mr. Stevie Wonder said, the song he wrote 40 years ago,  Love’s in need of love today is still needed today!

What I admired was the humility and love these Peacekeepers have for us and the world, knowing that without God and our determination to bring about Peace, it is not possible. They reminded everyone present how we all live as one united world under God and we can live well in this world if we use our God-given talents to do good. We were encouraged to raise our voices to put an end to the suffering of women and men, especially children, and not to take peace for granted. We need to learn to live in peace with each other, with nations, with animals, and with Mother Nature!!

Such words of power, commitment, courage, and motivation were spoken that I can go on and on. However, I invite you to watch the webcast

The entertainment provided lifted the spirits of everyone which made the feelings of commitment to peace very strong: peace hip hop, which had us all dancing and clapping our hands:

a moving violin solo by United Nations Messenger of Peace, Ms. Midori Goto

 

and the magnificent Rainbow Choir (of mainly children) coming all the way from Korea!!

 

This was followed by the students presenting their Peace Projects.

This stimulating morning was concluded with a minute of silence and the ringing of the Peace Bell.