International Peace Day:

 
Peace One Day is committed to the creation of a united and sustainable world through the observance of one calendar day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Now recognized by the United Nations as International Day of Peace, September 21st is seen as an opportunity to promote peace and encourage action in the fight for non-violence in homes, communities and schools around the world.

Counterpart International (Counterpart) shares these values with Peace One Day and committed to Peace Day 2009. Through over 40 current programs in more than 25 countries, our dedicated and talented staff work to make peace every day. 

Counterpart offices in all corners of the world coordinated humanitarian aid distributions, football matches and film screenings in support of Peace One Day and Counterpart's joint goal to achieve international peace. Following are a few of our 2009 successes:

• At Counterpart headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, the office viewed The Day After Peace, a film that tells the story of Jeremy Gilley's arduous journey to have Peace Day recognized and observed worldwide. Our offices in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan also screened Gilley's film. 
  
  The Azerbaijan Office noted the incredible vision and drive of Jeremy Gilley, and asked what they could do at an individual and collective level to cherish and preserve the idea of peace not only on September 21st but year-round. One employee remarked, "We have to try our best just to not let the initiative of Jeremy Gilley perish."
  
  
• Counterpart's Community & Humanitarian Assistance Programs (CHAP) office in Georgia worked together with the Sighnaghi Town Municipality to arrange a joint charity event in support of disabled people of the Sighnaghi Region on September 21st. The distribution, dedicated to International Peace Day, provided 45 disabled residents with new wheelchairs, donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and worth $2,655.00. In addition, other U.S. Department of State Georgia-based Grantees – UMCOR and Hellenicare – provided the disabled and their families with hygiene and school kits. Counterpart has provided about 2,250 disabled people with wheelchairs worth over $100,000 primarily donated by the LDS and the US based Wheelchair Foundation. LDS in cooperation with Counterpart has already distributed $11 million humanitarian assistance in Georgia.
  
  
• Counterpart's Support to the Electoral Program in Afghanistan (STEP) dedicated their weekly staff discussion to the Peace One Day initiative.
  
  
• In Kabul, Afghanistan, near Counterpart's office, a Peace Day march took place in observance of Peace Day. While the crowd was not huge due to heightened security and recent bombings, the support of local Afghanis and international organizations based in the area was noted and celebrated in observance of Peace Day, especially in a place of extreme conflict.
  
  
• Counterpart's Tajikistan office arranged a distribution of humanitarian assistance to a Gissar District Republican Boarding School and also organized a football match in the Gissar District. September 21st coincided with Eid of Ramadan, marking the end of the month of fasting for Muslims, and only added to the excitement and celebration of the day.
  
  The Republican Boarding School of Gissar District is one of the largest boarding schools in Tajikistan. There are 260 students who live and study at this boarding school. These students are among the most vulnerable population of Tajikistan and range in ages from 7 to 16 years old.
  
  Counterpart, with the support of its long term partner, NGO Munis, distributed clothing, footwear, walkers and food to the boarding school on September 21, 2009. The relief supplies were donated by the US NGO, Global Aid Network (GAIN), based out of Texas.
  
  Counterpart joined forces with the NGO Munis and the local Hukumat to arrange a football match among the villagers in celebration of International Peace Day. Before the game began, Counterpart and Munis took the opportunity to reach out to the community and distributed humanitarian assistance – clothing and footwear - to the players and fans.
  
  
• Counterpart in Quang Binh, Vietnam organized a mixed football match to commemorate Peace Day that brought together staff from Germans GTZ, KfW (German Development Bank), Landmine Survivors Network, MAG (Mines Advisory Group), Plan International, Greater Mekong Subregion (an ADB-funded project) and the Quang Binh Provincial Department of Foreign Affairs. Quang Binh was a deadly battlefield site during the Vietnam War, and the entire city was flattened during the war.
  
  In addition to the football match, 56 of Counterpart's microfinance clients in Vietnam received loans for their farm and countryside enterprises in honor of Peace Day.

Photos (top to bottom):
peace doves in Afghanistan © Peace One Day; football match in Tajikistan © Counterpart International; distribution recepients in Gissar District, Tajikistan © Counterpart International; football match in Vietnam © H.J. Wiemer/Counterpart International.