21 Days Until Sydney Celebrates International Day of Peace

Only 21 days left until Martin Place in Sydney’s central business district becomes one of the most peaceful places in the world, as Sydneysiders gather for a 14 hour peace celebration marking the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Ms Biannca Pace, Chair of Ministry for Peace, said “On Monday 21 September, Sydneysiders, city workers, school children and tourists will come together to celebrate the International Day of Peace.

“It is the first year for the celebration to be held in Martin Place, starting at 6am through to 8pm. The theme this year is ‘Let Peace Prevail on Earth.’”

“Over the 14 hour period, Sydney will join the United Nations’ global call for ceasefire and non-violence. The event will be telecast for the first time to the city of Assisi, known worldwide as the City of Peace.”

Ms Pace said “People of all ages, backgrounds, cultures and religions will hear and talk about the ideals of peace, the cost of war and celebrate the benefits of resolving disputes peacefully.

“The celebration will look spectacular with 194 flags of every country in the world, peace presentations by leaders from all religions and consular generals, and performances by students representing more than 20 schools from around Sydney.”

Coordinated by the Ministry for Peace for the fourth year in a row, the celebration in Martin Place is expected to attract the biggest crowd yet in the event’s history.

“Martin Place is an ideal location to bring the people of the city together. It is the one day of the year that we can put our differences aside and focus on our similarities.

“The celebration will unify the city’s disparate voices into one voice for peace.

“We encourage all of Sydney to come to Martin Place on September 21 and join in the peace celebrations!” said Ms Pace.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

‘LET PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH’

Date:            Monday 21 September 2009

Time:           6am – 8pm (refer to page two for timetable)

Location:     Martin Place, Sydney CBD

Website:      www.ministryforpeace.org.au

Event images available on request. Refer to page two for pic/filming opportunities.

Media contact: Bernadette Rose – 0437 528 142, or Biannca Pace – 0401 753 790; bpace@ministryforpeace.org.au

6am	Spiritual Opening: Welcome to Country by Biannca Pace and smoking ceremony by Uncle Max Eulo, an Indigenous Elder from the Gadigal Tribe of the Eora Nation accompanied by Turtle on the didgeridoo. Violinist Roslyn Strekfuss then performs followed by the arrival of the World Peace Flame, carried by Victoria Sharp and accompanied by an entourage of people from the Southern Highlands. Seven flames are lit representing the seven continents of the world.
7am	Presentation by the Universal Peace Federation.
7:30am	Yoga demonstration by the Marrickville Peace Group.
8am	Singing Bowls – Susie Nelson- Smith
10am	Official opening
12pm	Open Space Theatre, consisting of 50 children and adults dancing with the flags of the world.
1pm	Nations of the World ceremony – the recognition of all the countries of the world, with 194 students and people presenting each country’s flag to Consul Generals of Argentina, Italy, Lebanon, Romania, Ecuador, India, China and Czechoslovakia.
1:30pm	Folkloric dancers in national costumes from various countries.
2:30pm	Gandhi Peace Centre-40 Children aged from 4 years- Perform on violin & other instruments
3:30pm	Live telecast to International Day of Peace celebrations in the city of Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, the patron saint of Italy. There will be an exchange of peace messages from the Deputy Mayor of Assisi to Deputy Mayor of City of Sydney; the Bishop of Assisi to Sydney’s Bishop Anthony Fisher; and Franciscan Monks to Sydney’s religious leaders representing a range of denominations.
4:30pm	Children and adults from Sydney’s Sikh community
5:30pm	95 Buddhists from the Amitabha Buddhist Association of NSW perform a one hour walking meditation
6.30pm	Viewing of Soldiers of Peace introduced by the film’s Director Tim Wise. www.soldiersofpeacemovie.com