THE KENYA SCOUTS ASSOCIATION - MESSENGERS OF PEACE PRESS RLEASE Marking the International Day of Peace on 21st September 2014 by Scouts in Kenya Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. To mark the 30th anniversary of the General Assembly Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace, the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is the “Right of Peoples to Peace”. This anniversary offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm the United Nations commitment to the purposes and principles upon which the Organization was founded. The Declaration on the Right of Peoples to Peace recognizes that the promotion of peace is vital for the full enjoyment of all human rights. 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 United Nations invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day, and to otherwise commemorate the Day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace. As Scouts and Messengers of Peace in Kenya we have lined up several activities in which Scouts can take part in to mark this day in various parts of the country. These activities will run on the same theme as proposed by the United Nations and will focus on raising awareness on the contribution of the Scouting movement to peace in Africa. Please find below the details: • Messengers of Peace Main Event at the University of Nairobi • Sotik – Migori Peace Walk in collaboration with Peace Ambassadors Kenya (16-21 September) • Mt. Kilimanjaro Peace Expedition in collaboration with Tanzania Scouts Association (16-24 September) Scout Groups who have planned other events to mark the same day in their various counties are asked to register them on www.scout.org. For more information please call 0726951296/ 0729420478 or email nopany@scout.org. You can also connect with us on https://www.facebook.com/MoPKenya or our webpage http://scout.org/user/38608 We look forward to your support and participation. Nelson Ochieng Opany National Coordinator, Messengers of Peace Kenya Scouts Association