September 24, 2011
The Fund Forum, the Women`s Council, Kelajak ovozi (Voice of the future) YIC, Special Olympics Uzbekistan, UNESCO Tashkent Office, the UN Office in Uzbekistan, UN Women, Civil Initiatives Support Center (CISC), the National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan, the Committee of Women and Uzbekistan Football Federation have launched a series of events commemorating the International Day of Peace marked worldwide on September 21. Around 500 people participated in the events honoring World Peace Day.
The Peace Bell was rung in Tashkent`s Bobur Park in what was a call for non-violence and cease-fire as well as a commitment to the ideals of friendship and concord. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the UN agencies in Uzbekistan, members of the diplomatic corps and national culture centers as well as students. The event started with a concert featuring performances by children`s music and dance groups. Greeting speeches were made by Michel Tailhades, WHO Representative in Uzbekistan, Rupert Joy, the Ambassador of the UK to Uzbekistan and Jorge Espinal, head of the UNESCO Tashkent Office.
The next day, on September 22, the Youth Creativity Center opened its doors to welcome the public to an exhibition titled “The World in the Eyes of the Youth”, offering works by young artists who present their vision of a world without war and violence. The artworks on display at the exhibition convey a world of peace and comfort while honoring the past and expressing hope for a better future. The photos are of children and elderly people, national holidays, family feasts, views of cities and scenery in Uzbekistan. The interesting topics, unusual angles of view, candid moments from people`s lives captured on film… all these are imbued with ideas of peace, tranquility and goodwill.
On September 24, Tashkent`s Pakhtakor Stadium featured a series of friendly football matches played by teams of UN agencies in Uzbekistan, diplomatic missions, and public and governmental entities, Avangard team of the Center for Political Studies, “Champions Forum” Sports Complex and ministries. For the first time, the tournament also featured women`s football teams.
Note: The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session, which was held annually on the third Tuesday of September. The first Peace Day was observed in September 1982. In 2001, the General Assembly by unanimous vote adopted resolution 55/282, which established 21 September as an annual day of non-violence and cease-fire. The UN invites all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.
The Peace Bell at the UN headquarters was presented by the United Nations Association of Japan in 1954. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from around 60 countries and is referred to as “a reminder of the human cost of war”. Traditionally, the bell is rung twice a year. It is tolled on the first day of spring during the vernal equinox and on September 21, the International Day of Peace.
By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. In Uzbekistan this day has been celebrated since 2007. The annual events related to Peace Day in Uzbekistan have been overseen by the Fund Forum and the Women`s Council since 2008.
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