Invitation to Join to Express Solidarity and Celebrate Women's Struggle for Peace Globally

Dear friends

It is our great pleasure to inform you that the United Nations has designated "September 21" as the International Day of Peace, and calls for a global ceasefire on this special day.   Peace Women across the Globe support the call for a global ceasefire.

Peace is not attained with a ceasefire, but could be achieved only through building human security and justice. "We want every home to be a zone of peace. We want all forms of violence to cease. Most of all, we want an end to economic violence, exploitation and inequalities", says Ruth-Gaby Vermot-Mangold, co-chair of the Switzerland based Peace Women across the Globe. "Our network believes that with the extent of wars and violence, every day should be a peace day", says another India based co-chair Kamala Bhasin.

We are celebrating collectively the UN Day for peace on 21 September in Kathmandu, Nepal to expressing solidarity and commitment to work together for peace, putting out exhibits of 1000 Peace Women across the globe, demonstrating the rhythms of peace and drama, and organizing peace rally. This is a collaborative effort of several organizations working for peace in Nepal, the region and the globe. This collaborative effort itself is a symbol of act for peace.

This network believes to be looked at peace in a holistic approach and defining peace not just the absence of war but nurturing of life. Peace includes comprehensive human security, justice, transparency, human rights, compassion and love. A peaceful life also means access to food, health, education, shelter, employment and clean environment, etc. Therefore, peace should be engendered as part of everyone's daily life. We believe that peace is not just the work of individual leaders; it is a collective process involving million of women and men. Peace can't be achieved in a single day; it is a continuous process for which all of us need to work collectively.

On 21 September, the program starts with an exhibit of "1000 Peace Women Across the Globe," which will be inaugurated by peace women activists working at community level in Nepal in together with co-chair of Peace Women Across the Globe, Ms. Kamala Bhasin, women from South Asian countries and the Nepal's Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare Ms. Urmila Aryal by lighting the lamp at 2 p.m. at the Birendra International Convention Center.

The inauguration will be followed by the demonstration of peace documentary, rhythms of peace by Kutumba Band (Group of young artists, active during democratic movement of Nepal), and will be closed by vote of thanks by organizers.   These formal programs will be complemented by drama played by Gurukul (AAROHAN), working for social justice and sustainable peace. After the drama, the peace rally will be organized that will start from New Baneshwor and will be ended in Mandala, Maitighar. At Mandala, the peace lovers will light a diyo, traditional Nepali lamp, for peace and the program will be officially adjourned after lightning the lamp.

 We feel that International Day of Peace should receive official recognition to strengthen the peace movement globally that will also help us in conceptualizing and internalizing the importance of peace in holistic ways.

 We look forward to seeing you, your friends, family and colleagues at the event.

 In solidarity

Dr. Renu Rajbhandari
The Peace Day Team

 Co-organizers:
SANGAT, Peace Women Across the Globe (PWAG), Stri Shakti, WOREC, Youth Initiative, Youth Action, Blue Diamond Society, FEDO, AAROHAN (GURUKUL), and Defend Human Rights Movement- Nepal (DHRM-N)

 For Detail Please Contact:
Women Rehabilitation Center (WOREC)
Balkumari , Nepal
Tel: 2123124 , 2123136 Fax: 5544574
Email:    icsworecktm@gmail.com
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International Peace Day, 2006

21 - 23 September, 2006

 September 21, 2006 (5th Ashwin 2063) 

Venue: Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC), Nuptse hall, New Baneshwor
Exhibition of 1000 peace women from 12.00am -7.00 pm
Venue: Outside Nuptse hall, BICC
5.00-5.45 Drama by Aarohan
5.45-6.45 Peace rally
(Route- Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC), Maitidevi Mandala,
Lighting of the diyo's at Mandala at 7 p.m.) 

September 22, 2006 (6th Ashwin 2063)
Venue: Gurukul (Aarohan), Old Baneshwor
Exhibition of 1000 peace women from 11.00 am. onwards throughout the day

12.00-1.00      Documentary film show
1.00-2.00       Shantiko Bato ma- Documentary
2.00-4.00       Garunga Pailaharu-Documentary
4.00-6.00       "Doll's House" Drama by Aarohan
4.00-6.00        Shantiko Bato ma and Garunga Pailaharu-Documentary  

 September 23, 2006 (7th Ashwin 2063)
Venue: Gurukul (Aarohan), Baneshwor ? Open to all
Exhibition of 1000 peace women from 11.00 am. onwards throughout the day

12.00-1.00      Documentary film show
1.00-2.00        Shantiko Bato ma-Documentaries
2.00-4.00        Garunga Pailaharu-Documentary
4.00-6.00        "Doll's House" Drama by Aarohan
4.00-6.00         Shantiko Bato ma and Garunga Pailaharu-Documentary