For the first time in the UAE, support for global Peace Day was successfully launched when The Scene Club hosted a special screening of Peace One Day.
For the first time in the UAE, support for global Peace Day was successfully launched when The Scene Club hosted a special screening of Peace One Day. Directed by Jeremy Gilley, the documentary charts Jeremy's personal bid to instigate a global day of peace and convince the UN General Assembly to unanimously adopt an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on 21st September.
The inspiring story illustrates the difference one individual can make. Since the Peace One Day initiative started 10 years ago, over 100 million people in 200 countries are now supporting the cause. And its having an affect; last year the UN reported a 70 percent reduction in violence on 21st September and a ceasefire in 11 war-torn countries. One of those countries was Afghanistan, where a peace campaign over the set date allowed aid agencies into remote regions of the country enabling them to vaccinate over 1.6 million children against polio.
The documentary was shown to an audience of 500 captivated guests who also enjoyed a message of solidarity to the initiative given by H.H Sheikh Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The guests were also joined by numerous Ambassadors and dignities to the UAE.
Founder of The Scene Club and spokesperson for the volunteers promoting Peace Day in the UAE, Nayla Al Khaja, said: "This is an historic project, rooted in film, which is a medium very close to my heart and I am immensely proud to be a part of it. This process is about creating an annual moment of global unity; it can only work if we all become involved and it's essential that we do. That is why we are working so hard to raise the awareness of Peace Day in the UAE"
Chiara Maioni, who began the project in the UAE added: "When I was first shown the film it was incredibly inspiring to the point where I just had to give my contribution and do something in the UAE. Some friends and I began discussing what we could do to create awareness of Peace Day in the region and since then the help we have received has been phenomenal and overwhelming, not least from Nayla and The Scene Club. We were only aiming to begin the ball rolling this year, but already the message is getting out there faster than expected - 21st September is a global day of ceasefire and non violence, not just in war but also in our homes, at work and in everyday life. We really hope that we have managed to plant the seed for what 21st Of September stands for and to set the ground for a much bigger event next year."
Founder of Peace One Day, Jeremy Gilley also said: "We aim to introduce 3 billion people to Peace One Day by 2012. So I invite individuals everywhere to join us by making their own commitment for Peace Day 21 September because if we are to move from a culture of war to a culture of peace, then we have to unite, and Peace Day 21 September is the starting point."
The organisers of Peace Day in the UAE have also produced their own films, which ask children their views on peace and war. Directed by Ali Mostafa, Winner of Best Emirates Film in 2006 and director of ‘Under the Sun' the short films will be shown on 21st September courtesy of Cinestar. There will also be a giant candle at the Mall of Emirates that organisers are asking people to sign and show the world that the people of the UAE are also supporting a day for global ceasefire and non-violence.
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Chiara Maioni and Nayla Al Khaja are available for interviews and media appearances. For more information please contact:
James Holmes: james.holmes@dubai.leoburnett.com or on 043676235
Sheerin Dariani: sheerin.dariani@dubai.mslpr.com or on 043676155
