Peace For One Day – One Filmmaker’s Legacy

Source: http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/readers_blog/2431/peace_pioneer

Peace For One Day is a campaign to promote peace around the world. It’s objective is best defined by the organization’s Introduction to Peace One Day page as

to engage all sectors of society, including governments, organisations of the United Nations system, regional and non-governmental organisations and individuals in observance of 21 September, through the practical manifestation of non-violence and ceasefire in accordance with UN GA Resolution 55/282, and encourage action on Peace Day that creates a united and sustainable world.

I first became aware of this organization by an email from Coca-Cola offering me the incentive of a free “Peace For One Day” mp3 and the knowledge that they would donate $5 dollars for the cause if I redeemed 500 iCoke Points. After making my small contribution I immediately wanted to know more. I logged on to http://peaceoneday.org/en/welcome and navigated my way to their Introduction page, linked above. Established in 1999 by filmmaker Jeremy Gilley, Peace For One Day has been an international force aimed at promoting “conflict resolution, global citizenship, human rights and the link between sustainability and peace, using Peace Day 21 September as a focus” as written in a letter from Jeremy explaining his mission. Ultimately, the ambition of this group is to make a global impact.

We want to reach 3 billion people with the message of Peace Day by 2012, and we are working with governments, the UN system, non-governmental organisations, schools and corporations to achieve that; but ultimately it is your support that will help make it a reality. As Ahmad Fawzi (now Director of News Media at the UN) said at our launch in 1999, ‘It is the peoples of this world who can create peace.’

-Letter From Jeremy Excerpt

Using new platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter on the Internet, this quest for peace for one day will transcend political borders. If you are interested in learning more please visit the links embedded above or the icoke link here: http://www.icoke.ca/extras/entertainment/peace-one-day

 

Loaning Today, For A Better Tomorrow

Image via CrunchBase

If you have never heard of microloans or microcredit, then you likely have never heard of Kiva. While an average student may receive thousands of dollars to fund postsecondary education in parts of Canada like Ontario, Kiva connects those willing to loan as little as $25 dollars to those whose dependence on that loan can support activities like basket-weaving to repay that loan and sustain their family.

According to Kiva’s About Kiva page,

Kiva was born of the following beliefs:

• People are by nature generous, and will help others if given the opportunity to do so in a transparent, accountable way.
• The poor are highly motivated and can be very successful when given an opportunity.
• By connecting people we can create relationships beyond financial transactions, and build a global community expressing support and encouragement of one another.

Source: http://www.kiva.org/about/how

By partnering with companies and groups in 204 countries around the world who agree not to charge high interest rates, Kiva is able to loan money to those who need it most and it is that noble intention that makes a difference in the lives of ordinary civilians trying to survive.

*Note: 204 country fact derived from http://www.kiva.org/about/facts