| INDIA, Madras |
From Rashmi Ramakrishnan (student) |
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October 17, 1995 over 5,000 students participated in a rally. After an opening prayer for peace, Rashmi spoke about the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the World Summit of Children Projects. The students received sky blue ribbons to wear symbolizing peace and innocence and they marched through the streets of Madras carrying placards advocating peace. When they arrived at city hall there was a lively interaction between the young people and dignitaries from the fields of law, education, health, environment and entertainment. The interaction lasted much longer than planned. The closing of the building stopped the event. Supported by: Rotary Club, Chief of Police, Chief of State Education. V. Vaikunth, Madras Director General of Police, later wrote Rashmi, "The children came out with intelligent questions....which showed their concern not only for the future but for social issues agitating their minds. The concept on "HEAR THE CHILDREN DAY" itself is a noble concept, which analyses the importance of the children being heard, particularly on matters affecting their future. I wish the movement ALL SUCCESS, as this movement itself deserves all encouragement."
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| SIERRA LEONE, Freetown |
From PeaceLinks |
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September 17, 1996 hundreds of children marched from the City Hall to Victoria Park in the center of the city. There they heard PeaceLinks youths and the Director of UNICEF in Freetown talk about the importance of peace as a way of life. At 6:30 PM , just as dusk settled, the children began lighting candles and singing peace songs. At 7:00PM in Freetown, 3:00PM in New York when the UN General Assembly was having its minute of silence for peace, hundreds of Sierra Leoneans joined in silence to wish the UN General Assembly a successful year in furthering world peace. Supporters: UNICEF and UNDP. |
| REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON TAIWAN, Taipei |
From Nancy Lee, Richard Chien, Clare Huang (students) |
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September 28 & 29, 1996 HTC Day took the form of a 2 day children's conference. The children discussed education (public education, sex education, special education, private education and education improvement movements), productive children's leisure time , how students can have a more democratic role in education and children's social responsibilities.
The students were divided into groups according to school level. Approximately 150 students from all parts of Taiwan attended. The conference closed with a press conference. Supporters: Chinese Children's Fund, Taiwanese government.
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| USA 1997 |
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Fife Symington, Governor of Arizona, officially declared September 16, 1997 as Arizona International Day of Peace/Hear the Children Day.
Parris N. Glendening, Governor of Maryland, officially proclaimed September 16, 1997 as Hear the Children Day and urged the people of Maryland to observe it along with the 15th anniversary of the International Day of Peace.
Bob Miller, Governor of Nevada, proclaimed September 16, 1997 to be International Day of Peace/Hear the Children Day in Nevada.
Lincoln Almond, Governor of Rhode Island, officially proclaimed September 16, 1997 as International Day of Peace/Hear the Children Day.
Willie Lewis Brown, Jr., Mayor of the city and county of San Francisco, officially proclaimed September 16, 1997 as International Day of Peace/Hear the Children Day.
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| GRENADA, St. George's 1997 |
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Keith C. Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, officially proclaimed September 16, 1997 International Day of Peace/Hear the Children Day in Grenada saying, "Let us open our hearts to the messages of children as we prepare our Country for the coming millennium."
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| ITALY, Milan |
From Brigitte Beretta, International Children's Peace Council-Italia |
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In the spring of 1998 a competition was organized so schools studied the Convention on the Rights of the Child and selected a topic about which to make an original drama. The dramas were presented and a winner was selected.
On September 16th a large theater was rented and the winning drama was presented, child organizers spoke about the meaning of Hear the Children Day and an original ballet was performed around a myth created at the World Summit of Children International Summit in 1995. The performance was video taped.
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| ENGLAND, London |
From Pia Furtado (student) |
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September 15, 1999 a Hear the Children Day celebration was organized by 16 year old Pia Furtado and a committee of her peers. They have invited many schools to attend a performance of the play "A Child Can Save the World" written by the young delegates at the 1997 International Summit in Taipei, part of the World Summit of Children Projects. The play demonstrates how one child's idea and dedication to creating a brighter future CAN change the world. After the play there was a discussion about what children can do to further the United Nations and World Peace, including information about the international Young General Assembly.
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| BANGLADESH, Dhaka |
From Dulal Biswas, National Federation of Youth Organizations |
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In Bangladesh, the National Federation of Youth Organizations (NFYOB) is working together with 56 other youth and children organizations from around the country, including UNV, UNESCO Youth Clubs to organize a 3 days children festival for celebrating the Culture of Peace Week 2000 and to observe Hear the Children Day of Peace on September 18th . The festival will include cultural programs like street drama, cultural nights and child & youth fair. With the Guidance of NFYOB a PrepCom has been formed consisting of 31 members from various organizations. PrepCom is planning to organize a Children Art Competition and Essay Competition on Children's rights in the community. The Advisor for Youth and Sports and other Government and United Nations officials will be invited to attend as guests.
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| BANGLADESH, Dhaka |
From Md. Mohabubul Haque, Village Integrated Development Association ( VIDA). |
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An elaborate programme was organized to celebrate the " Hear the Children Day of Peace Celebration through a 3 day long programme 16-18, September 2001. September 16 will be a Children's gathering at the premises of VIDA Complex including an art competition, debate on children’s rights and privileges, and a discussion on children’s welfare issues. September 17 there will be a workshop on " Survival of the Children with due dignity and recognition" a Video film on burning children issue, and a Prize giving Ceremony for the children succeeded on various events organized during observation of the week. On September 18 there will be a colourful rally from Shaheed Menar to National Press Club ( National Memory Platform ) a press conference on " Help the Children Growing Healthy and Stop Violence by your active support and affiliation with Children issue. It is expected 500 or more children will participate.
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| GHANA, Accra |
From Mark Boiquaye, Springs Foundation |
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The Springs Foundation's celebration for the Culture of Peace Week in Accra, Ghana will begin on September 11, with the opening of the Culture of Peace Week 2002 in various schools and branches. Schools taking the lead in this opening are the Oral Roberts International School, the Gloria Mt. Sinai Bethel Academy, and the Rev. John Quartey Memorial, Grace Preparatory School. On September 13 there will be a Workshop on Conflict Resolution to take place at the Assembly Hall of Gloria Mt. Sinai Preparatory School. On September 16 there will be a Filling of a Trench at Lataterbiokoshie, a suburb in Accra, to make passable again a road damaged during recent heavy rain. On September 18, Hear the Children Day of Peace, there will be an assembly of students from many schools lighting candles for peace and singing peace songs.
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| HUNGARY, Ozd |
From Edina Papp, Teenager Parliament |
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The Teenager Parliament has sent a request to every school in Hungary for people to stand for one minute of silence at noon on Hear the Children Day of Peace September 18th and to declare their commitment for peace. The Teenager Parliament is also organizing a children’s poster contest for the Culture of Peace Week. This will take place in 25 schools. The aim of the poster contest is to make Culture of Peace Week well known among children.
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| IRAN, Tehran |
From Hamidreza Ghazi Zahedi, Peace Center of Iran |
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On the occasion of Hear the Children Day of Peace, the Peace Center of Iran will hold a big celebration. The Peace Center of Iran ceremony is a global celebration of the oneness of the humanity. The Peace Celebration in Iran brings together thousands of the people from the four corners of the earth in this global celebration. In this holy ceremony the voice of millions of children and youth can be heard and they can express their feelings and harmony throughout the world. All the children and youth really love to participate in this auspicious ceremony.
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| ITALY, Milan |
From Brigitte Beretta, International Children’s Peace Council-Italia |
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In Milan, Italy there will be 4 middle schools including about 1,000 students ages 12 –14 participating. There will be one minute of silence at noon, sending peace to all children in the world. This will be done at noon every day during the whole week. Each day during the Culture of Peace Week, the students will examine everyday language and remove all words and insults of violence etc. There will be a special event on the evening of Hear the Children Day of Peace, 18th September, involving the students and parents of all 4 schools coming together for a peace concert and art exhibition.
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| NETHERLANDS, Amsterdam |
From Irene van Schagen" irenevans@hetnet.nl
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We were there, at the foot of the Peace Palace, the seat of the Earth's International Court of Justice, We were there, together with all those that were with us in focus, in heartfelt effort to think, speak and act peace; peace for our future, our children.
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Thank you all, who helped sending the prayer for peace for the children of the world go up in the heavens. They will be heard.
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The international "Hear the Children "Day made us realise that we are ALL children, children of the Earth, Children of Life, and that the Earth herself needs all our efforts now, to save and preserve life on the surface of our beautiful home planet.
One voice, one plea went up to the heavens for help, for guidance, to overcome the crises humanity finds itself in today.
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Help to guide our judges and decision makers to be able to restore justice in our world by the force of law. Insight and strength for the international organs that already exist to be able to serve as the round table for humanity.
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The candles; the flowers; the silence, the singing. |
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We were there, connecting with all of you, wherever on earth, working and working for peace; working to distinguish real from illusory threats, real from imagined enemies, and stay as clear-thinking and focused as we can as we identify what is important in our lives and makes efforts to secure and defend what matters most : Respect, forgiveness, non-violence, peace peace…. peace. Soon the World Peace Flame will be lit here, but now it's presence is already tangible. Peace will prevail on Earth!!!!! |
| NEW ZEALAND, Auckland |
From Ikilifi Pope, To’utupu Tonga Trust
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Tongan youth living in New Zealand gathered on Hear the Children Day of Peace to sing traditional songs of peace, observe a traditional peace ceremony and hold a candlelight vigil for peace for the world’s children.
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| NIGER, Niamey |
From Djibrilla Aliou, The Nigerian Association of Environmental Scouts
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The Nigerian Association of Environmental Scouts will hold a tree planting in commemoration of Hear the Children Day of Peace involving 5 different schools (about 1,000 students) and to honor the right of children to have a clean and safe environment. There will be workshops throughout the day educating children about how to protect the environment and prevent desertification. In the evening there will be a cultural presentation of music and dance. |
| NIGERIA, Lagos |
From Nkem Oselloka-Orakwue, African Children Broadcasting Network
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The country office of UNESCO in collaboration with us (ACBN) would hold a "PEACE FORUM" which will involve children from embassies in Nigeria. At the event, the children will deliver peace messages of not more than 3 minutes. The children of the world will be blessed at the event. The media and members of African Children Broadcasting Network (ACBN) would cover the event. The event would form part of new items on electronic and print media. SUNDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER: Children of the world will be prayed for during church services. HEAR THE CHILDREN'S DAY- The package programme of the " PEACE FORUM" on the International Day of Peace, would be broadcast on TV and radio. At intervals on radio and TV individual peace messages would be aired.
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| NIGERIA, Lagos |
From Temidayo Israel-Abdulai, Nigerian National Children’s Parliament
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We held the program December 10 and the Lagos State Governor and the Minister for Women’s Affairs promised to work to get Hear the Children Day of Peace ratified for all Nigeria al large. We also observed Hear the Children Day of Peace at the Program. When thirteen year old girl, Wura Shodipo read Ellen Brogren’s speech, a very unusual thing happened. The First Lady of Nigeria remained standing until AFTER Wura sat down after the speech. It was so nice ! As a follow-up to the program, I was told to write a proposal to train children in human and child rights and sponsorship for it is guaranteed.
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| QATAR, Doha |
From Jackson Mendonsa, Eco-Youth
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Starting at 5:30PM the program is about Hear the Children Day of Peace. There will be 150 students in the school auditorium. Teachers will be attending. The chief guest is a representative of the Qatar government to the United Nations. The program will include peace songs and a skit and a tableau that shows how children are not given their rights. The main feature of the program will be a candle lighting ceremony and a pledge taking to make a change in the living of children and also to protect the Earth for future generations. After that there will be refreshments and the program will close at 9:00PM.
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| SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg |
From the National Advocacy Network for the African Child and Youth
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On Hear the Children Day of Peace the National Advocacy Network for the African Child and Youth will present “Don't Play with Your Rights” (a football match). The football match will attract especially youths and serve as a medium for the dissemination of information on their rights. The focus will be on drug abuse, HIV/AIDS and Racism. The Young participants will learn How to say "NO" because it is their right to say no to those enemies of humanity and unity. Over 500 youths are expected to attend.
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| USA, Pomona |
From Cathy Garcia, VOX –International Polytechnic High School
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We plan to wear black wristbands to show mourning for all the people who have lost their lives due to fighting for peace. We made banners and posters about peace (which we displayed around school) and to pass out fliers on injustices happening not only internationally but nationally as well. This way we hope to get more involvement not only from our school but other school's as well. We will have a candle lighting for peace on Hear the Children Day of Peace..
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| POLAND, Chorzów |
From Sweta and Guddu Sen, DELFIN
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Hear the Children Day of Peace was celebrated with a campaign “Children and Adults – Together for Peace” organized by Sweta and Guddu Sen of DELFIN in Chorzów, Poland. It was a very simple gesture. People were asked to pin a small bow, made of sky blue ribbon, to their clothes and to join to the wave of silence in the noon. They were asked to do this to support child rights and the participation child/adult partnerships in the peace workings of UN. This campaign was initiated mainly to inform and make people aware of Hear the Children Day of Peace. This campaign will help the organization in the future to take more actions and organise some bigger events and involve more children and adults.
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| POLAND, Chorzów |
From Sweta and Guddu Sen, DELFIN
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Hear the Children Day of Peace was celebrated with a campaign “Children and Adults – Together for Peace” organized by Sweta and Guddu Sen of DELFIN in Chorzów, Poland. It was a very simple gesture. People were asked to pin a small bow, made of sky blue ribbon, to their clothes and to join to the wave of silence in the noon. They were asked to do this to support child rights and the participation child/adult partnerships in the peace workings of UN. This campaign was initiated mainly to inform and make people aware of Hear the Children Day of Peace. This campaign will help the organization in the future to take more actions and organise some bigger events and involve more children and adults.
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E- mails were sent to everyone as well as letters by post to all the primary schools, gymnasiums, and some higher secondary schools in Chorzów. Apart from this also personal contact was made with some of the students and teachers. Posters, leaflets and a webpage were put out to announce the event. A workshop was presented with the students from Gymnasium no. 6 in Chorzów at which they learned about the HTC Day of Peace, the Young GA, DELFIN, and also discussed about how to bring peace into everyday life. Press releases were passed out to different newspapers. Two of them wrote about the campaign event.
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The institutions that confirmed taking part in this campaign are:
- two Gymnasiums
- three Primary Schools
- two Higher Secondary schools
- one Child Clinic
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It was DELFIN’s first big campaign. It was also the first time when people heard about DELFIN on a large scale. During this campaign many nice people willing to help and co-operate with DELFIN in future were attracted to the HTC Day of Peace event. Because of this campaign DELFIN has gained some new young members, full of enthusiasm and new ideas. Because of the success of the event, it is hoped that DELFIN’s future activities will receive even greater support from the community.
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| CANADA, Saskatoon |
From Michelle Gallucci, Canadian Red Cross
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Canadian Redcross and SaskEnergy joined efforts to present Saskatoon’s 4th Annual “Hear the Children” Peace Day in Rotary Park International Peace Plaza. The event was a huge success! More than 1300 school children, teachers, parents and volunteers participated. The Canadian Red Cross was invited by SaskEnergy, Title Sponsor, to organize the event and was extremely pleased with the overwhelming support from local schools, Saskatoon Police Services, suppliers, non-profit partner groups and sponsors. Event organizer, Michelle Gallucci, Financial Development Manager for the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatoon, has confirmed that Peace Day will be an ongoing venture for the Red Cross. This year's theme was creating a culture of peace through cooperation, mutual understanding and respect for each other. "Our children are global citizens", says Gallucci, "and we are responsible for teaching them how to be emissaries of peace and peaceful actions".
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The event had 20 activity stations organized into three themes. One theme was “Cooperative Games” that teach students about working together as a team. It included Parachuting, Three-legged Race and Peace Charge, Bucket Brigade (a fun water relay to test teamwork), Step Forward, Slooshing, Tops Trees and Trust (quiet activities that explore the trust of others), Web Weaving (students learn how small the world is), and Friendship Knot ( teamwork challenge to untangle the group).
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Another theme was “Creative Expression.” At these stations children shared their ideas about what peace means to them through stories, paint, chalk and other fun craft activities. The stations included Masterpeace! (a large white banner paper was painted and displayed), Trail Doodling ( the sidewalk in the park was decorated with peace messages and drawings), Origami, Face Painting, Making Rainbow for Peace Pins, and Friendship Bracelets.
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The third theme was “Peace Works” which included Peace Pledges (each participant wrote their own commitment to peace and the City Police fingerprinted those who pledged), the Prayers for Peace Scroll (prayers for peace were written on a scroll that will be delivered to war torn countries through the Red Cross), Wishes for Peace (young people shared their thoughts on peace), and Storytelling.
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There were also two Special Projects: (1) A Peace of Art, for which two students from each class painted a canvas square
and all the squares were sewn into a mural; and (2) Hear the Children, for which one student from each class spoke their wishes for peace which were videoed and forwarded to the Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and United Nations.
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The event closed with a Peace March followed by a program in which greetings and messages of peace were brought by Her Honour The Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Minister Judy Junor and His Worship Mayor Maddin.
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| HUNGARY, Ozd |
From Henriett Janosi, Teenager Parliament
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Hear the Children Day of Peace began with an opening ceremony, where people got information about Hear the Children Day of Peace and the head master gave a young colleague the key of the school. After the ceremony we planted a tree as a symbol of the respectful relationship between children and adults. Everybody pinned on a loop of sky blue ribbon to symbolize peace.
Before noon there were 3 special lessons, where the teachers will be students and students will be teachers. After the third lesson we talked about this event. At noon we stood up a minute of silence for peace and we recited this anthem translated from Hungarian:
We are One
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Children want to live in peace,
If they want to create this.
They must say YES to the Children Campaign now,
Because we are One and we can all be peace heroes.
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Stand up for a minute of silence for peace at noon,
We have to start this “war” with this .
Say YES to the Children Campaign now,
Because we are One and we can all be peace heroes.
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In the after noon some famous and successful people came to us and related the secrets of their success. The event closed with a tea party with children and adults.
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| POLAND, Chorzow |
From Iwona Haneczok and Richard Sierotnik, Association for the Rights and Dignity of the Child
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To prepare for Hear the Children Day of Peace there were special articles in the press. On HTC Day of Peace we had a happening in the centre of our town. Children painted things connected with peace in the street Everybody put their wishes for peace on a tree of dreams. There were workshops on the topic "What is the difference between us, what do we have in common?" A minute of silence at noon was observed in all schools and institutions in our town. The event concluded with a charity rock concert
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| ARMENIA, Yerevan |
From Federation of Youth Clubs of Armenia and Dignity of the Child
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At the Hear the Children Day of Peace event there were presentations of posters issuing Peace. More than 60 people were participating during that event, there were also people from media and that event was covered by media.
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| BANGLADESH, Dhaka |
From National Federation of Youth Organisations in Bangladesh
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National Federation of Youth Organisations in Bangladesh organised a child art competition at the Shishu Academy, Dhaka in observance of the Hear the Children Day of Peace in 2004. The theme of the competition was, "We Want Peace". About 200 Children took part in the competition.
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| CAMEROON, Yaounde |
From Cameroon Association for the Protection and Education of the Child (CAPEC)
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During a colourful march more than 100 children wore T-shirts and carried banners and posters for peace. A programme of poems and songs followed. Participants were urged to go out and promote peace in every way possible.
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| GEORGIA, Tblisi |
From International Union “ERTOBA”
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Fifteen child artists presented their works at a three day art exhibition called “No More Tears.” Around 300 children from different schools attended the event.
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| GHANA, Accra |
From Africa Youth Development Alliance
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The Africa Youth Development Alliance in partnership the Apeadu Peace Center and Global Citizens and organised the event attended by 60 people.
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| GHANA, Kumasi |
From Association of Global Citizens-Ghana
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A Peace workshop for 50 children was held in cooperation with UNICEF and the Apadeau Center.
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| HUNGARY, Ozd |
From the Teenager Parliament
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Over one thousand children and about 100 adults participated in Round-table conference discussing the cruelty to children and the future in EU. At noon there was 1 minute of silence to remember the children that suffer from HIV/AIDS and are victims of terrorism.
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| INDIA, New Delhi |
From India International Rural Cultural Centre
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A debate, “Man and Peace,” along with a variety of dance and music programmes were presented by 300 children in celebration of peace. About 700 parents and guests attended.
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| IRAN, Tehran |
From Peace Center of Iran
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On the occasion of the Hear the Children Day of Peace, The Peace Center of Iran held a Conference in Tehran “Creating a Culture of Peace, Love and Harmony Throughout the World.” About 150 diplomats, university professors, teachers, students, etc. attended this important seminar to discuss how to teach the Culture of Peace to students. It was decided that a culture of Peace can be created through many different ways by:
rendering great humanitarian services to homeless,refugees, elders;
supporting Peace Studies in schools;
being kind and compassionate with all the nations;
ringing the bell of peace; and
writing letters to the government officials to support the Hear the Children Day of Peace.
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| ITALY, Milan |
From International Children's Peace Council- Italia
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Twenty six International Children’s Peace Council-Italia member's took part in the 24 hour meditation for Peace organised by www.Intuition-in-service.org
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| LIBERIA, Monrovia |
From International Education And Resource Network Liberia
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Over 40 elected child representatives from Liberian children’s groups gathered together for five days to set their vision for Post-War Liberia. They consulted on 10 different national policies and programs affecting them. On the last day the children presented a Declaration and shared their views with key adult officials.
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| NIGERIA, Kano |
From Child Development Focus of Nigeria
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The Governor of Kano State, 230 people and 20 adults wore black arm bands on their left arms in remembrance of the school children who died in the terrorists raid in Russia. The Governor promised to send all street children to school and to make education free for them all. There was a 15 minute period of silence in memory of the world's children.
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| NIGERIA, Lagos |
From Theatre Centrik
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Over 2,000 people participated in a 3 day event which included a street rally, a dance for peace, and a play at the University of Lagos auditorium.
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| NIGERIA, Lagos |
From Young Minds Projects
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Volunteer Opportunities in cooperation with the Lagos State Ministry for Youths, Sport and Social Development held a round table discussion with 4 prominent officials, 1 parent and 2 children. About 500 students from 20 schools and 3 media bodies were present.
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| NIGERIA, Lagos |
From Man O War
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The event, attended by 245 people, opened with prayers and speeches from Christian and Muslim leaders. City officials addressed the crowd about the importance of a peaceful community. There was a march of 116 students during which participants handed out white handkerchiefs with the message " Make the peace." Placards were displayed at the council area office. Certificates were handed out to 116 peace-makers and the event ended with a drama about peace and non-violence, singing and prayers.
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| NIGERIA, Lagos State |
From Children to Children Peer Educators Club
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The Children to Children Peer Educators Club collaborated with the Child Rights Organisation and the local area government to organize a conference for 70 children to discuss how to improve the community. The press and government officials made up the 30 adults who were present Using the YGA meeting format, the discussions resulted in the establishment of permanent monthly children’s discussions with child facilitators.
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| NIGERIA, Ogun State |
From Child Rights Forum
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On “Youth Island”, a statewide television programme seen by over 5,000 people, members of the Young General Assembly Special Issue Committee were interviewed about Hear the Children Day of Peace. A poem and drama were presented expressing how children can be instruments of peace. Later that night 30 people came together and the youngest child started a candle lighting ceremony to remember the children killed by Russian terrorists. The following morning a presentation was made on national television about Hear the Children Day of Peace. This was repeated several times throughout the week It must have been viewed by at least 50,000 people.
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| PAKISTAN, Rawalpindi-Punjab |
From Hope Worldwide-Pakistan
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A seminar “Listen to Children and Ensure their Participation” was presented by 12 child members of HOPE and attended by over 50 people.
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| SIERRA LEONE, Freetown |
From Voice of Children
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There was a children’s march ending with a presentation by the President of Sierra Leone, other important personalities and children. Also, There was a football match at the national stadium.
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| SIERRA LEONE, Freetown |
From Peace Links
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The program was held at The British Council with the theme " Peace Through Sport " and consisted of prayers, speeches, drama, music, and poems.
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