9/17/2007 - September 21 is the International Day of Peace
Friday, September 21 is the International Day of Peace. On this day, millions of people worldwide will in some way recognize the need to continue working towards peace. It represents a wonderful opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of Peace on a shared date. For AFS volunteers, staff and students around the world it provides a good occasion to reflect on the AFS mission.
In 1981, on the 20th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly, a UN resolution declared that the International Day of Peace “will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our Organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the Organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace. May this Peace Day indeed be a day of peace.”
Every day, AFS strives to make the world a more peaceful place by fostering intercultural understanding. I hope that you will take some time on September 21 to make an extra contribution to our mission. For creative ideas you can visit the International Day of Peace website (www.cultureofpeace.org) and encourage people you know to go to www.exchanges4peace.org and sign the petition in support of a global expansion of youth exchange programs.Francisco “Tachi” Cazal
President and CEO
AFS International
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