[dropcap]P[/dropcap]eace One Day is a non-profit organisation that campaigns for an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence. Peace One Day’s objective is to institutionalize Peace Day September 21, making it a day that is self-sustaining, an annual day of global unity , a day of inter-cultural cooperation on a scale that humanity has never known
It was conceived by actor turned filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley. He became pre-occupied with questions about the fundamental nature of humanity and the issue of peace. He decided to explore these through the medium of film, and specifically, to create a documentary following his campaign to establish an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence.Since its inception in 1999 member states of the United Nations in 2001 unanimously adopted the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence and observe the third Tuesday of September (which this year is today) the 21st UN International Day of Peace.
In response, throughout the years, millions have been active on Peace Day in every country in the world. Hundreds of leading humanitarian organisations have carried out life-saving activities in areas of conflict. There was 70 percent reduction in violent incidents in Afghanistan on Peace Day according to the United Nations Development of Safety and Security.
According to the Peace One Day annual report of 2012, approximately 280 million people in 128 countries were aware of Peace Day. The figure was 4% of the world’s population of which 2% or 5.6 million behaved more peacefully as a result. Peace Day 2013 which begins today is expected to double the figure by 2016.
Jeremy also launched the Global Truce Campaign. This involved the creation of Peace One Day coalitions, each with a lead partner, the BGO Coalition, the Reducing Domestic Violence Coalition, the Student Coalition and the Schools’ Network.
In its global endeavours, Peace One Day as an organisation contacted His former Nobel Peace Laureates such as Holiness the Dalai Lama, former Israeli President Shimon Peres, former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez and former South African President, Nelson Mandela and former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan
A second feature documentary film in 2008 titled “The Day After Peace” includes footage of the visit to Afghanistan. It won numerous international film awards. In 2010 a third feature film, “Peace One Day Part Three, received its premiere broadcasts on BBC worldwide reaching out to 306 million households in 200 countries.
The point where are concerned is how does such a peace campaign affect us in Nagaland in particular and, by extension, the entire N-E Region in general and so on? Here in our very land, somebody or the other talks and even writes proposing peace. Even Governor Dr Ashwini Kumar himself in these five months of taking over has observed that the average Naga wants PEACE.
The NSF Martyrs Memorial Trophy which kicks off (September 20 to October 19, 2013) has as its motto “God for Peace.” The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) periodically meets and advocates reconciliation, the prelude to peace, and yet their cadres continue to clash with each other every other day.
The ruling NPF-DAN Government is seemingly hampered by what it has been described as “parallel governments” while the average citizens who comprise the majority are ensnared in the throes of excessive and continuous taxations from numerous quarters, overground or underground and some organisations of government employees as well.
The Church has expressed concerns but it too must take into account the reasons/causes that have resulted in such an impasse in our society. It must yet introspect its role as being a very influential factor in the life and times of the citizens of Nagaland and with what further measures it can motivate them.
As things are, as of now, a few organisations are on the move and many are writing in the newspapers their concerns. And yet, the elusive peace can hardly be seen on the horizon. Glimmers of it will appear only when leaders walk the talk and lead by example and not only pontificate.
As the saying goes, Vox Populi, Vox Dei—the voice of the people is the voice of God. And as Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio himself said: “The voice of the people is supreme.”
But what ‘Peace One Day’ is really addressing is what will you do for ‘peace’?
A question like that can evoke a set of ‘Do’s’ as many as there are individuals who will take a moment to reflect on the theme of the day.
