Dear Editor:
This September my friend Rick Ulfick, director of “We, the world” – a Manhattan based non-profit affiliated with the United Nations – is sponsoring a groundbreaking international series of concerts, festivals, broadcasts and art projects dedicated to advancing the cause of world peace and sustainability. The event will run from Sept. 11 thru Sept. 21 – the official day aside by the U.N. to honor world peace. It will take place in over 100 countries around the world.
This project will allow the United States to play a greater role in the world peace movement. I understand that it’s a dangerous world, and we must still use all the military means at our disposal to protect ourselves from terrorists. But at the same time, in addition to protecting ourselves militarily, we can also devote some energy to bolstering our image in the world as peacemakers. At the very least, this will help defuse some of the intense hatred against the U.S. in the world right now – a hatred that produces terrorists who, let’s face it, are difficult to defend against. Canada, a country with a relatively peaceful image, doesn’t have much of a terrorism problem.
The list of supporters for the “11 days” project is impressive and growing. It includes the human rights group Amnesty International; Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & United Nations Messenger of Peace; Marshall Rosenberg, originator of the non-violent communication movement; Robert Thurman, founder of Tibet House and advisor to the Dali Lama; Daniel Ellsberg, author who released the Pentagon Papers during the Vietnam War; Sally Fisher, initiator of V-Day, a worldwide campaign to prevent violence against women and girls; Dr. Patch Adams, who Robin Williams played in the film and downtown NYC Councilman Alan J. Gerson.
As Education coordinator and director of New Jersey operations for this project, I’d like to invite any forward-thinking artists, teachers, government officials, activists and others who would like to participate to contact me. We’re building a curriculum of questions such as “How do we depend on each other and the web of life for our survival?” and “What actions are you willing to take to make a positive contribution to all life on our planet?” to discuss in schools, churches, community centers and public parks. In addition to producing concrete strategies to advance the cause of world peace, such discussions will create energy to raise the level of our planetary peace-consciousness.
“11 Days of Global Unity” is tailor-made to counter the negativity and cynicism of the many who say that world peace can never be achieved. It will refresh our optimism and renew our hope for the creation of a better world for all.
The official launch of the project will be an event at Webster Hall in NYC (E. 11th at 34th Ave.) on Saturday night, June 26th at 6 p.m. Anyone interested in more details or who would like to help can call me at 201-792-0085, or email:jfbredin@hotmail.com. Thank you for your time.
John Bredin Education Coordinator & Director of NJ Operations
11 Days of Global Unity