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 By Stephen Dinan, founder and CEO of The Shift Network
Today is the United Nations International Day of Peace!
It is estimated that over 500 million, possibly up to 1 billion, people will celebrate this day of peace!
Around the world at 12pm noon people will observe a minute of silence. Avon Mattison, one of the early supporters of the International Day of Peace, calls this moment of silence a peace wave that circles the world!
The Summer of Peace and all of its partners have been building towards this day! We are thrilled to be having two live calls today — 11 Days of Global Unity at 10am Pacific and the BeThePeace global meditation at 12pm Pacific! (Register free here)
I personally want to thank all of the amazing speakers in the telesummit, along with our friends, colleagues and partners around the world who have made the Summer of Peace an incredible experience. I want to give a special thanks to the Wisdom Council members who have advised the Summer of Peace and to all our hosts that co-created the telesummit: Rick Ulfik (11 Days of Global Unity); David Nicol, Myra Jackson and the Gaiafield Project (Spirituality and Peace series); Ben Hart, Yuka Saionji and Barbara Arredondo (The Next Generation of Solutions); Eleanor Tara (Peace Through Music); Jay Ponti (Mainstreaming Consciousness); Deborah Moldow (100 Day Countdown to the International Day of Peace); and of course, our Director of Peace, Philip Hellmich. The Summer of Peace, like all peacebuilding initiatives, is a collective effort — we each offer our individual gifts (our very hearts, minds and souls) and cooperatively work together for the greater good.
And now, together, we all can participate in making this International Day of Peace a truly global celebration, which includes you too!
In this edition, we loaded it with feature articles from thought leaders who highlight there is a growing wave of peacebuilding. Rev. Deborah Moldow and Monica Willard write about the International Day of Peace; the team at Peace One Day share their amazing global efforts; and, Ambassador John McDonald tells us about the creation of the International Day of Peace in 1981 (a story we published as part of the Summer of Peace). I also am sharing a heartfelt letter I wrote this week to President Obama, applying the first principle of medicine — to "do no harm" — to our actions in the Middle East.
Al Jubitz writes about how Rotary International can play a leading role in grassroots peacebuilding on a global scale. Patrick Hiller from the War Prevention Initiative tells us about the emerging Global Peace System; and, John Filson from the Alliance for Peacebuilding shares realities of making peacebuilding a global priority in 2015 and beyond. The National Peace Academy team offers a brilliant update about their incredible peacebuilding efforts.
Our profiles are from permaculture experts who have taken peacebuilding to their local communities — Rachel Kaplan and Mallika Nair. Several Shift Network team members are signed up for Rachel's upcoming Permaculture Design Certification training — Permaculture from the Inside Out. It's a great opportunity to join our team in deepening personal, home and community peace practices. (Mention "Shift Network" to receive an extension of the early bird special $200 discount – click here.)
Also, please take a look at the powerful 11 Days of Global Unity/Summer of Peace summit free recordings, including interviews with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Deepak Chopra, Amy Goodman and Foday Sajuma (Ebola special report). Also, our Featured Artist, Nahko Bear, is a talented multi-ethnic voice for peace!
Finally, I want to remind you to sign up for one of the exciting conferences we are co-sponsoring, especially the 10X Summit in Los Angeles where Congressman Tim Ryan and Philip Hellmich, our Director of Peace, will be presenting (see Movement News).
So, from my heart to yours, have a blessed International Day of Peace! Let us all join the BeThePeace meditation today and renew our commitment to being the change we want to see in the world!
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 The International Day of Peace
By Rev. Deborah Moldow and Monica Willard
News flash: something good is happening! All over the world, people of all nations, religions and cultures are taking time on September 21st to focus on peace on Earth . . . [read more]
 Peace One Day
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 . . . [read more]
 The Creation of The International Day of Peace – 1981
By Ambassador John W. McDonald (ret.)
During my 40-year career as a U.S. diplomat, I spent many years on UN economic and social issues, and was well known at the General Assembly of the United Nations in the 1970s and 80s . . . [read more]
President Obama: Do No Harm
By Stephen Dinan
In medicine, the first principle is to do no harm. That's because in the course of treating disease, there are many things that can go wrong. Over-treating disease can lead to more harm than good, even killing the patient . . . [read more]
 A World Beyond War Built by Rotarians
By Al Jubitz, Founding Chair, Rotarian Action Group for Peace
Imagine a world beyond war...built by Rotarians. I have been invited to speak at more than 80 Rotary clubs, conferences and community events over the last four years to share my vision of a world beyond war by 2030 . . . [read more]
 The Hopeful Alternative — A Global Peace System
By Patrick T. Hiller (republished from "Seeing Systems" by Northwest Earth Institute)
Let's face it. We screwed up. Humans screwed up. We are facing a planetary crisis which we created in a fragment of the earth's existence. Most of us are living and promoting lifestyles that are incompatible with sustainable life on earth for all living beings, we have built social systems where the status quo accepts social injustices, and, to top it off, we have invented the horrendous institution of war. Yes, we invented it. War is not part of human nature, nor is it inevitable . . . [read more]
 Getting to the Real Sticky Stuff: Peace and Politics in the Post-2015 Agenda
By John Filson
By now you have heard about the Post-2015 Agenda that will replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) next year. Through the United Nations, countries agreed on the eight MDGs in the year 2000, resolving to address the challenge of global poverty through a common set of goals. These included crucial areas such as hunger, child mortality, gender equality, HIV/AIDs, and others . . . [read more]
   The National Peace Academy, Where Peacebuilders Go to Grow: Entering Phase 3
By Dot Maver, Michael H. Abkin and Kristin Famula
The National Peace Academy stands at the leading edge of the long arc of the dream that there would someday be a national peace academy in this country and countries around the world. That arc stretches all the way back to the Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law of Peace in the 12th century and includes USA Founding Fathers George Washington, Benjamin Rush, and Benjamin Banneker. Since that time, there has been a consistent call, in government and civil society, for a government department or office of peace and for a peace academy . . . [read more]
For submissions and recommendations, email
editor@theshiftnetwork.com.
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 Permaculture — Peace with Creation
By Rachel Kaplan (photo by Liz Foote)
An act of war brought me to permaculture. On September 11, 2001, I had been a mother for little more than three weeks. I was immersed in the care and feeding of my tiny, vulnerable, perfect baby girl. There was milk dripping from my breasts and I was tender in all ways . . . [read more]
 Growing Together — 100 Fruit Trees for Peace
By Mallika Nair
When you envision a world of peace what do you see? I see green, lush landscapes buzzing with life. I hear the rush of water and the hum of creatures, food growing abundantly, birdsong in the morning, the moon at night. I envision that humans will meet our needs in ways that do not commit violence against earth and all her inhabitants, that our ways are regenerative, that we move in harmony with all of life, that we structure our systems to recycle all the needed inputs and outputs . . . [read more]
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Film premiere of Awake: The Life of Yogananda is opening in Theaters in October 2014 — including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boulder, Santa Fe, Tulsa and many more places. To find a showing near you or to arrange for a screening, click here. (The filmmakers were interviewed in the Summer of Peace, the recording is available for free.)
Join The Peace Alliance in urging President Obama and U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power to support passage of proposed United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the establishment of Infrastructures to Support the Culture of Peace – click here.
International Day of Peace Activities:
- JOIN BeThePeace
and The Peace Pole Project for synchronized meditations around Peace Poles on
the International Day of Peace (September 21, 2014)
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Peace Pole Project – where to order your Peace Pole, how to make one,
youth project, translations, etc. – click here.
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BeThePeace - Find or create a meditation – click here.
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The International Day of Peace – click here.
- JOIN the Compassion Games and make your community
safer, kinder, more just and a better place to live. By participating, players
are called upon to perform acts of service and kindness in our neighborhoods,
on the job, in service-providing agencies, and wherever their daily journey
takes them. The acts of service are organized projects or simple acts of
kindness to aid a neighbor in need or just for the pure joy of it! The 2014
Games will run from September 11 through September 21, 2014 and involves people
around the world. You can join now by clicking here!
- On SEPTEMBER 21, 2014, PEACECAST.TV is celebrating the United Nations International Day of Peace with a worldwide webcast, and we'd like you to be a part of it. Watch non-stop videos for 24 hours of music, dance, spoken word — from all over the world. PEACECAST.TV will host the best and stream them to thousands of people around the planet. PEACE IS REAL. PEACE IS POSSIBLE. PEACE IS WORTH IT. YOU’RE WORTH IT.
- JOIN the Peace Day Global Broadcast — September 20–21, 2014 — www.peaceday.tv Celebrate the International Day of Peace with the World Community — Featuring: Sustainable Solutions, Entertainment, Music, Festivals, Celebrities, Films, Awards, Peace Building Partners.
- Help your community become
an International City of Peace and together
we can reach the Goal 2020: 1000 Cities of Peace. For more information:
click here.
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The Facebook page: click here.
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The Global Feast for Peace: click here.
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The Eugene City of Peace organization has many resources for communities
working toward a culture of peace: click here.
Other Upcoming Global Peace Events
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Convening "A Meeting of Diverse Spiritual Traditions in India – Promoting Human Values and Inter-Religious Harmony" — September 20-21 — New Delhi, India — Live Webcasts, click here.
Join Campaign Nonviolence taking place September 21–27, 2014. Campaign Nonviolence is a long-term movement to build a culture of peace by mainstreaming active nonviolence and by joining the enduring, nonviolent struggle to abolish war, end poverty, reverse climate change, and challenge all violence. Campaign Nonviolence invites you to practice nonviolence toward yourself, toward all others, and toward the world! To learn more, click here.
2014 Common Ground Awards featuring inspiring peacebuilders from around the world – November 13, 2014 in Washington, DC and live streamed globally. To learn more, click here.
Special Training — Join Shift Network Team Members
Permaculture Design Certification training – Permaculture from the Inside Out — Join several Shift Network team/staff members who are taking this special permaculture design certificate training starting October 18, 2014 in Northern California. Mention "Shift Network" to receive an extension of the early bird special $200 discount. To learn more, click here.
Upcoming Conferences, Co-Sponsored by The Shift Network:
- THE ECONOMICS OF SUSTAINABILITY – Emerging Models for a Healthy Planet – October 6–9, 2014 – Fort Mason, SF, CA – The Economics of Sustainability conference is looking 50 years into the future. Our challenge is to bring forth a transformation of cultural and economic relationships so that environmental sustainability, social justice, and economic democracy become our way of life. Speakers include: David Korten, Michael Brune (Sierra Club Director), Osprey Orielle Lake, Randy Hayes, Lynne & Bill Twist, Ellen Brown, Randy Hayes and Georgia Kelly. To learn more, click here.
- 10XSummit – Igniting Change – Los Angeles – October 10–12, 2014, produced by PeaceLink Live. The 10X Summit is calling together like-minded leaders, organizations and celebrities from 10 social activist movements. For three days groups will unite causes and implement innovative solutions to global challenges and develop the sustainable systems, legislation and initiative that will actualize change. (Shift Network members receive a 40% discount when registering by August 18. To register click here and use this coupon code: Shift Network).
- Join the Shift Network in supporting the 25th Anniversary Bioneers Summit Conference this October 17, 18 & 19 in Marin, California! Practical solutions for the most urgent, paradigm-shifting issues of the day. (Shift Network members receive a 10% discount – use code "SNB14.") To learn more, click here.
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2014
Catalyst: (#19, 9/21) (#18, 9/14) (#17, 9/01) (#16, 8/17) (#15, 8/3) (#14, 7/20) (#13, 7/4) (#12, 6/15) (#11, 6/1) (#10, 5/18) (#9, 5/4) (#8, 4/20) (#7, 4/6) (#6, 3/23) (#5, 3/9) (#4, 2/22) (#3, 2/8) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/12)
2013 Catalyst: (#22, 12/14) (#21, 11/30) (#20, 11/16) (#19, 11/3) (#18, 10/20) (#17, 10/6) (#16, 9/21) (#15, 9/8) (#14, 8/25) (#13, 8/4) (#12, 7/21), (#11, 7/7), (#10, 6/16) (#9, 6/2) (#8, 5/12) (#7, 4/28) (#6, 4/14) (#5, 3/24) (#4, 2/24) (#3, 2/9) (#2, 1/26) (#1, 1/13)
Birth 2012 Catalyst: (#15, 12/9) (#14, 12/1) (#13, 11/22) (#12, 11/10) (#11, 11/3) (#10, 10/20) (#9, 10/6) (#8, 9/16) (#7, 9/8) (#6, 8/25) (#5, 8/16) (#4, 8/4) (#3, 7/28) (#2, 7/21) (#1, 7/14)
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Join the BeThePeace global meditation today – September 21 – at 12:00pm Pacific – click here.
Celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21 – see Movement News.
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 Transforming Your Inner Critic: How to Turn Your Greatest Internal Enemy into an Ally. A free teleseminar event for loving and aligning your internal parts.
Featuring Tim Kelley, Teacher, Author & Internationally-Respected Change Agent.
Wednesday, September 24, 5:30pm Pacific
 Manifesting A Dream Through Your Chakras: An Integrated Approach to Successful Creation with the #1 bestselling expert on the chakra system, Anodea Judith Ph.D.
Learn a clear, potent set of skills for creating your most heartfelt dreams with grace, mastery and beauty.
Wednesday, October 1, 5:30pm Pacific
 Relaxing into God: Awakening to Your Boundless Nature with spiritual teacher Miranda Macpherson.
Relax into a larger field of grace — feeling the healing balm of unconditional love AS yourself — and learn why so many of your efforts to improve, grow and evolve leave you unsatisfied.
New Live Video and Audio Training Starts Monday, September 22
 Living Your Soul's Calling: Manifesting Your Sacred Gifts in a Feminine Way with Devaa Haley Mitchell & Elayne Kalila Doughty,
Founders of The Inspiring Women Summit & Soulful Women Wisdom School.
Create a truly beautiful and life-affirming path that fulfills your soul's purpose in a way that doesn't lead to stress, rebellion or burnout.
September 17, 5:30pm Pacific
More Upcoming Events: (all subject to change)
September
• Lisa Schrader 9-month intensive
• Enneagram 9-month intensive
October
• Enlightened Business Summit
• Women's Wealth Revolution summit
• James O'Dea 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 7-week course
• Sally Kempton 7-week course
• Rev. Jim Lee 7-week course
• Enlightened Business Academy 6-month intensive
• Robert Moss 6-month intensive
November
• Sandra Ingerman 7-week course
• Chief Phil Lane, Jr. 9-week course
• Joan Borysenko 10-week course
• Mirabai Starr 7-month course
December
• Gangaji 7-week course
• Andrew Harvey 12-week course
• Peace Ambassador Training 14-week course
• Patricia Albere 4-month course |
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Nahko Bear
By Eleanor Tara
Nahko Bear was born into an unusual and challenging situation. A mix of Apache, Puerto Rican and Filipino origins, he was adopted and raised by a white American Family as a conservative Christian. As he became a teenager he got curious about his cultural identity and set out to discover his roots through music. He found his storytelling, folk style and began to heal his past and find a sense of oneness through song. He joined his group, Medicine for the People, and began recording music. In their most recent album, Dark as Night, they explore ideas about self-discovery and acceptance, and the album has an underlying theme of social and political change woven throughout. Nahko also bridges the music and activism worlds by promoting and raising awareness with organizations focused on everything from climate change to energy policies, environmental and social justice issues, teaching cultural respect and more.
In Nahko's words, "The oral tradition of storytelling is so important for our generation to bring with us. Part of what we try to convey is accountability and empowerment. These songs direct us to look at ourselves, whether it's about a social issue, environmental or a personal issue. They embrace Bob Marley's idea of world-bridging, bringing people together to resolve differences. For us, music is a tool to create healing and activate people to change things. I think our music promotes the bridging of all tribes. The lyrics and the stories and our energy as a group break down people's walls. You'll find us in the most unique places on earth because it's real, raw, and honest storytelling about what we've been through and what we believe in. And that's why people connect with it. I think that's the most important thing you can do with music." To listen to Nahko's music, click here.
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BeThePeace — September 21, 2014
