Dear Friends:

On 7 September 2001, the United Nations adopted a resolution designating 21 September of each year as an "International Day of Peace." The intention of the resolution is to have the entire world observe a full day of "global cease fire and nonviolence."

All peoples and organizations are invited to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner. In 2002, IIFWP along with a number of other NGOs and individuals representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions, initiated an "International Day of Peace Vigil" with the following objective: "To encourage worldwide, 24-hour spiritual observations for peace, nonviolence and global cease fire on the International Day of Peace, Tuesday, 21 September 2004 in every house of worship and place of spiritual practice, by all religious and spiritually based groups and individuals and by all men women and children who seek peace in the world."

These global 24-hour spiritual observations for peace are meant to demonstrate the power of the "liberated human heart", prayer, reconciliation and other spiritual observations in promoting peace and preventing violent conflict. They also help raise public awareness of the International Day of Peace and can directly support the establishment of a global cease fire. There are many ways to mark this day. It may be a simple as lighting a candle and saying a prayer as a family, rededicating your family to the work of peace, inviting friends around for a "peace meal," fasting for the day, gathering your community to read the Resolution and other "teachings of peace," and so on. However you decide to support this worldwide initiative, please also help to promote the Vigil idea among religious and peace-based groups in your community.

You can register your commitment to participate in a spiritual observation on the International Day of Peace Vigil web site at: www.idpvigil.com, or mail it to: International Day of Peace Vigil, 866 UN Plaza, Suite 575, New York, NY 10017. Indicate the name of the individual or group participating, a contact person and the number of people participating in the Vigil. All commitments will be posted on the web site.

Your participation in this worthwhile effort is most appreciated. Please assist by passing this on to other individuals and groups that might be interested in co-joining their spiritual observations and efforts of the heart with others around the world.

Sincerely,

Karen Judd Smith
Director
IIFWP Office of UN Relations

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