SEPT 21 UN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE WORLDWIDE PRAYERS FOR PEACE. LIVE! via Ustream

LIVE! VIA USTREAM: https://www.facebook.com/sailingforpeace/app_196506863720166. JOIN US IN PRAYING WHEREVER YOU ARE 12:00 NOON PST & 7:00 PM GMT. FOR A MOMENT OF PRAYER, WE ARE ALL CONNECTED GLOBALLY AS ONE ON SEPT 21. PRAYER HEALS & UNITES. BELIEVE! INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL INTERCULTURAL PRAYER FOR PEACE: "God bless your day whatever your mood maybe May the angels guide you and protect you from harm If you are travelling, may you find the road and arrive at your destinations safely If trouble comes along the way, may it turn into blessings favorable to all May you meet new friends and may the old ones stay May the love of our Divine Creator fill your emptiness... ...and may you feel it in the vastness of the universe If u get so tired today, may you find time to look up at the sky, feel the air, recharge and rejuvenate. And in all the things you did today, may your faith increase May you be inspired by the diversity of people's personalities, and be grateful that you were granted the chance to lead them And at the end of the day tonight as you rest, may you be thankful for all the blessings that this day had. and pray to forgive those who offended you. Amen." Thank you for saying the "PRAYER FOR PEACE" to someone. Please feel free to share... Let’s provide a way for peace to come……in rough waves…or still waters……hop in… trust me…let’s sail for peace." Sailing for Peace Worldwide Peace Vigil 2011-2015.

SEPT 21 FREE! WELLNESS FOR PEACE LEADERSHIP GUIDELINES & WORKSHOP BY AMB ZARA JANE JUAN. LIVE! via Ustream

LIVE! via Ustream: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessforpeace/app_196506863720166 SAILING FOR PEACE FOR UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE CELEBRATION. Penned by Ambassador Zara from her remarkable experiences as an Ambassador of Goodwill since 2003, Wellness for Peace® is a Modular Program on Nation Building implemented through seminars and workshops meant to achieve peace at home, at school and at the workplaces through the Author’s peace formula of wellness in mind, body, spirit, environment & economics. As Philippine Contribution to UN International Day of Peace, it consists of yoga for stress management, wellness food tips, and practical peace leadership guidelines needed for Climate Change Peace Building Campaign worldwide. Share! Learn! Celebrate! Rejuvenate and Bring Peace to our home, schools and workplaces! See you! SEPT 21, 2014 SUNDAY VENUE IN THE PHILIPPINES: UNO International Main Office 355 Ortigas Ave., Brgy. Wack-Wack, Mandaluyong City, 1555 Manila, Philippines TIME: 8AM-12:30PM PROGRAM: 8AM-8:30AM SINGING OF OUR COUNTRY'S NATIONAL ANTHEM OPENING PRAYERS & WELCOME REMARKS BY UNO 8:30-8:45 ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS OF PEACE IN MUSIC, DANCE, VISUALS ARTS 8:45AM-9:45AM SHARING OF PEACE MESSAGES FROM PEOPLE IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE.PLEASE SHARE YOUR PEACE MESSAGE DURING THE EVENT 9:45AM-10:30AM MESSAGE OF PEACE FROM UNITED NATIONS PEACE LEADERSHIP EDUCATION GUIDELINES WELLNESS FOR PEACE EDUCATION WORKSHOP 10:30AM-11:30AM "WE INNOVATE PEACE!" PEACE FORUM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PEACE BUILDING PROGRAM GUIDE QUESTIONS: 1. HOW WILL YOU WORK FOR PEACE? 2. CAN YOU BE A PEACE LEADER @HOME WORKPLACE? NOTE: SHARE YOUR PEACE THOUGHTS. ALL PEACE CONCERNS AND OPINIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO UNITED NATIONS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE PEACE BUILDING WORLDWIDE. . YOUR OPINION MATTERS WHOEVER YOU ARE AND WHATEVER YOU DO. PLEASE COME AND SHARE YOUR OPINIONS FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE IN OUR ENVIRONMENT. 11:30AM-11:45AM "WE INITIATE PEACE" SHARING OF INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL AND INTERCULTURAL MESSAGES AND PRAYERS FROM VARIOUS RELIGIOUS & NON-RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 11:45AM WHITE CANDLE LIGHT CEREMONY WELLNESS WORKSHOP BREATHING EXERCISES (Inhale-Exhale-Relax 10x) INDIVIDUAL WRITING OF PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE FLYING OF WHITE BALLOONS 12:00NOON INTERFAITH INTERRACIAL INTERCULTURAL PRAYERS FOR PEACE GLOBAL BROADCAST WORLDWIDE FLYING OF PEACE DOVE ON AIR FLYING OF WHITE BALLOONS WITH PRAYER REQUEST ON AIR FREE HUGS OF PEACE TO EVERYBODY SIGNING TO PEACE BANNER/TARP POSTED ON THE WALL PICTURE-TAKING Thank you! Peace & Love:-) God bless you! Ambassador ZARA JANE JUAN Author & Resource Speaker, Wellness for Peace® Modular Program (Climate Change Peace Building Adaptation Campaign, Philippine Contribution to United Nations International Day of Peace 2011) Internet Journalist & Peace Ambassador, UN International Day of Peace (Sailing for Peace Worldwide Peace Vigil 2011-2015) Citations as Author, Resource Speaker, Media Practitioner & Peace Ambassador: University of the Philippines Manila as UN Ambassador for International Day of Peace 2011 Far Eastern University of the Philippines as Guest Speaker on Climate Change & Wellness Medal of Honor Awardee by Diocese of Novaliches Philippines Rotary Club of Loyola Heights QC as writer, resource speaker, television host and producer, advocate of culture, arts, environment, women and children's causes, proponent of wellness and animal protection Catholic Educational Association of the Phil (CEAP) for the significant role and contribution to health and wellness, transformative education and stewardship of creation Office of the President (NCRFW) on “Wellness in Mind, Body, Spirit, Environment & Economics, a tool for Nation-Building” Royal Order of Sulu and Sabah as Lady Knight and Ambassador of Goodwill Children International as Ambassador of Goodwill on “Sailing for Peace Program Philippines” Her List of Citations as Author & Resource Speaker: Plaque of Appreciation from Philippine Heart Center on "Colors of Wellness" Plaque of Appreciation from Philippine Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine (PARM) on “Innovative Mind & Body” Plaque of Appreciation from Office of the President NCDA on “Innovative Mind & Body” Certificate of Appreciation from Roman Catholic Bishop of Novaliches Educational System (RCBN-ES) on “Innovative Mind & Body” Certificate of Appreciation on “Colors of Wellness” from De La Salle University (DLSU) Manila Plaque of Appreciation from St. Mary’s Pasay “On Mentoring Kids & Teens to Become Young Leaders” Plaque of Appreciation on “Integrity in the Workplace” by San Lorenzo School, San Pedro Laguna Plaque of Appreciation from San Roque Catholic School on “Corporate Communication” Plaque of Appreciation on “Innovative Styles in Teaching” & “Vocation @ Work” from Treasury of the Golden Word School Plaque of Appreciation on “Innovative Styles in Teaching” from Assoc of Private Schools in Batangas City Plaque of Appreciation on “Colors of Wellness” from Assoc of Private Schools in Baguio City Plaque of Recognition on “Innovative Mind & Body” from Dr. Carlos Lanting College, QC Plaque of Appreciation on Leadership Training from Recoletos Academy, Antipolo, Rizal Plaque of Appreciation on Public Speaking-A Breakthrough Approach! from University of Perpetual Help Cavite Plaque of Appreciation on Artistic Exploration from Elizabeth Seton School, Las Piñas & Cavite Plaque of Appreciation on Developing Positive Mental Attitude from Informatics Plaque of Appreciation on “The Art of Leadership” from Philippine Cultural High School Manila Certificate of Appreciation on Preparing Teachers for the Internet Age (Internet 101 Innovative Personality) from Kid's World Christian Academy, San Mateo Rizal Certificate of Appreciation on "Balik-Bata"Workshop from Philippine Cultural High School, Mla Certificate of Appreciation on “Innovative Mind & Body” from St. Matthew’s College, San Mateo Certificate of Recognition on Personality Development from Sto. Niño School, Muntinlupa Certificate of Recognition on Theatre Arts from Good Shepherd Cathedral School, QC https://www.facebook.com/events/193229070838016/

CELEBRATE! INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE SEPT 21. JOIN! 10AM PEACE FORUM & 12:00NN PRAYERS FOR PEACE INTERFAITH, INTERRACIAL, INTERCULTURAL WORLDWIDE by Ambassador ZARA JANE JUAN

नमस्ते Namaste The Spirit in me respects the spirit in you ........ Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be with you..............Peace be with you............. Amituofo Amitabha Buddha Let's do an act of goodness today!......... Let's Pray the Prayer for Peace wherever you are..........God bless your day whatever your mood maybe. May the angels guide you and protect you from harm. If you are travelling, may you find the road and arrive at your destinations safely If trouble comes along the way, may it turn into blessings favorable to all. May you meet new friends and may the old ones stay. May the love of our Divine Creator fill your emptiness. and may you feel it in the vastness of the universe. If u get so tired today, may you find time to look up at the sky, feel the air, recharge and rejuvenate. And in all the things you did today, may your faith increase. May you be inspired by the diversity of people's personalities, and be grateful that you were granted the chance to lead them. And at the end of the day tonight as you rest, may you be thankful for all the blessings that this day had; and pray to forgive those who offended you. Amen." HOW WILL YOU WORK FOR PEACE? Phone: 63 9295197788 ambassadorzara@gmail.com

UPDATE: Life-saving food aid in jeopardy for millions of Syrians, warns UN agency

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that it is running out of funds to provide food for almost 6 million Syrians receiving its life-saving assistance. WFP has “reached a critical point where drastic cutbacks are unavoidable,” according to a statement on the Programme’s website. The agency says that it needs $352 million for its operations until the end of the year, including $95 million for its work inside Syria, and $257 million to support refugees in neighbouring countries. Unless more funds come in, starting in October, the size of the Syria food parcel will be reduced and in neighbouring countries the number of refugees receiving food or vouchers will be cut. Next month, WFP will continue to provide food to more than 4 million people in Syria, but the food parcel will be smaller, providing less than 60 percent of the nutritional value recommended in emergencies. The agency will have to cut parcels even more in November if it doesn’t have the funds. And for December, WFP has no funding available for programmes in Syria. “It is a cruel irony that in recent weeks WFP has had better access inside Syria that has enabled us to reach a record 4.17 million people in August, including those in hard-to-reach areas. But just as we have the potential to scale up, the cupboard is bare, and unless we receive new contributions we will be unable to provide people with desperately needed food,” said the statement.

UPDATE: UN envoy meets with Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot leaders

The United Nations Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide met with the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities, who reaffirmed their commitment to lead negotiations through a win-win approach and reach a settlement soon. “The leaders met last September 17 in a friendly and constructive atmosphere following their fruitful discussions at dinner last night,” said Mr. Eide in a statement to the press. According to the statement, the leaders agreed that their negotiators and teams had completed submitting proposals on all issues and recognised the enormous amount of work that had been conducted to conclude the second phase of the negotiations. “The leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to lead the negotiations in an interdependent, results-oriented manner, through a win-win approach – with the aim to reach a settlement as soon as possible and hold separate simultaneous referenda thereafter, in order to put an end to the unacceptable status quo, as outlined in the Joint Declaration.” Further, the leaders agreed to move to the next phase of structured negotiations and to increase the fluency of their meetings, as appropriate, and to hold meetings at least twice a month. “They have instructed their negotiators to enter into active negotiations with a view to bridging the gaps through real negotiation on unresolved core issues and to increase the pace of their meetings,” said Mr. Eide. The leaders also thanked Ms. [Lisa] Buttenheim for her “tireless efforts” in facilitating talks during the five months that she was acting Special Adviser. The United Nations works through the good offices of the Secretary-General to assist in the search for a comprehensive and mutually acceptable settlement to the Cyprus problem. The UN also maintains a peacekeeping force in Cyprus, known as UNFICYP, which was deployed in 1964, when inter-communal fighting erupted on the Mediterranean island.

UPDATE: ‘No losers, only partners’ with Afghan unity government, Security Council told

There is “quite simply no better way forward” other than a unity government in Afghanistan, United Nations envoy Ján Kubiš, told the Security Council from Kabul in his final briefing in that capacity. Mr. Kubiš, who is the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), told Security Council members via videoconference that the current political deadlock is deepening a crisis which has already taken a heavy political, security and economic toll in the country with “real risks for the future.” “There is quite simply no better way forward other than a government of national unity led by an elected President, as certified by the Independent Election Commission,” he said. Mr. Kubiš stressed that “I continue to emphasize that in a government of national unity there will be no losers – only partners.” The main phase of the UN-supervised audit of the 14 June presidential run-off election was completed on 4 September and the announcement of updated results is expected shortly. Top UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, have in meetings and telephone conversations with Afghanistan’s two presidential candidates, Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, underscored the world body’s call for a successful conclusion to the country’s election process. Mr. Kubiš told the Security Council today that “if there is not agreement by the time of the certification of results, new dynamics will be set in play with the potential to trigger further uncertainty, even the risk of conflict.” “The time remaining is now short – and by this I mean one or two days,” he said. In his briefing, the UN envoy also gave an update on the serious and growing challenges faced by Afghanistan. He noted a tactical shift in the insurgency that has seen attempts to exert control over territory across Afghanistan, and that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. In the first eight months of this year, civilian casualties rose by 15 percent compared with the same period last year with more than 2,300 killed and more than 4,500 injured, the envoy said. Mr. Kubiš said the briefing today will be his last as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan, where he has served since January 2012. He noted the confidence placed by the UN by all parties, including amidst the current events, and that “going forward, the United Nations will continue to have an important role both in Afghanistan and the region.” News Tracker: past stories on this issue Meeting Afghan presidential candidates, UN political chief urges unity, pledges support

UPDATE: UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson urges women’s political participation

On her first country visit as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador, acclaimed British actor Emma Watson in Uruguay highlighted the need for women’s political participation as the country gears up for elections with a first-ever national quota law guaranteeing 30 per cent women’s representation. “Women must have a say in matters that affect their countries, communities and families. After all, they are half of the population, so women’s equal participation in decision-making is a question of justice and democracy,” Ms. Watson said yesterday in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo. The meeting Ms. Watson attended was hosted by the organization Cotidiano Mujer, a grantee of UN Women’s Fund for Gender Equality, together with partner organizations CIRE (Ciudadanías en Red) y CNS Mujeres. During her visit, Ms. Watson met with women’s advocates from around the country, and listened to their strategies for increasing women’s voice and agency across all political platforms. She also met with top Government officials and young women politicians and will participate in an event where women’s rights activists will submit signatures calling for an extension of the national quota law. The event is the culmination of the “Do your bit for the quota” campaign, launched in July. “Emma is a strong voice for young people worldwide. Her commitment to the issues that we work on at UN Women multiplies our ability to reach and engage more young people – who are key to advancing gender equality,” said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, in a press release. Globally, women’s political participation remains low, with only one in five parliamentarians being a woman. In Uruguay, in spite of efforts, women’s representation in Parliament stands at 13.1 per cent, placing the country at 103rd position in the world ranking of women in Parliament by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women, below the world average (21.8 per cent). “Women’s rights are personal to me, especially on political participation and leadership. I am delighted to be here…as a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women and learn about the work on the ground, hear from the people at the frontlines, and to understand what is working and what is not,” said Ms. Watson during her visit. To change that, women’s groups in Uruguay have been galvanizing support by leveraging the quota law, and by strengthening alliances between the women's social movement and political parties. “I have learned that it is also a question of priorities, as women are more likely to focus on issues such as education, health, unpaid care economy and the environment. These are important issues that affect all of us,” she added. On Saturday, Ms. Watson will be at UN Headquarters in New York co-hosting a special event for UN Women’s HeForShe campaign. The event aims to kick-start one of the largest solidarity movements of the 21st century for the achievement of gender equality by calling upon half of humanity in support of the other half. According to UN Women, over the next 12 months the HeForShe campaign intends to mobilize one billion men and boys as advocates and agents of change in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.

UPDATE: UN announces mission to combat Ebola, declares outbreak ‘threat to peace and security’

The Security Council, in its first emergency meeting on a public health crisis declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a threat to peace and security, as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced that the United Nations will deploy a new emergency health mission to combat one of most horrific diseases on the planet that has shattered the lives of millions. “This international mission, to be known as the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response, or UNMEER, will have five priorities: stopping the outbreak, treating the infected, ensuring essential services, preserving stability and preventing further outbreaks,” Mr. Ban told the Security Council. “Under the leadership of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Mission will bring together the full range of UN actors and expertise in support of national efforts,” he said, adding that details of the mission were sent in a letter to the Security Council and the UN General Assembly. The Secretary-General said the mission’s effectiveness will depend crucially on support from the international community. “Our best estimate is that we need a 20-fold increase in assistance,” he said. The United Nations this week outlined a set of critical needs totalling almost $1 billion over the next six months. Mr. Ban spoke before the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution, sponsored by 131 countries – reportedly more than any other sponsors of a resolution to date in the chamber – “determining that the unprecedented extent of the Ebola outbreak in Africa constitute a threat to international peace and security.” Expressing concern about the detrimental effect of the isolation of Ebola-hit Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone as a result of trade and travel restrictions imposed on the affected countries, the Council called on Member States, including of the region, to such restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak, and to facilitate the delivery of assistance, including qualified, specialized and trained personnel and supplies to the affected countries. Briefing the Council members, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said: “None of us experienced in containing outbreaks has ever seen, in our lifetimes, an emergency on this scale, with this degree of suffering and with this magnitude of cascading consequences.” Emphasizing that the current reports that show that more than 5,500 people have been infected by Ebola and more than 2,500 killed by it in West Africa are “vast underestimates,” Dr. Chan said the WHO Ebola Response Roadmap outlines 12 critical actions. “The fact that the United States, Unite Kingdom, China, Cuba and other countries are using a variety of assets, including military, speaks to the complexity of the challenge,” she said. “This surge in support could help turn things around for the roughly 22 million people, in the hardest-hit countries whose lives and societies have been shattered by one of the most horrific diseases on this planet,” Dr. Chan said. The Secretary-General said “the penalty for inaction is high. We need to race ahead of the outbreak – and then turn and face it with all our energy and strength.” He called out to non-traditional donors, the business community, for example, to contribute in the health, transport, communications and information sectors. Both the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council for the month of September, US Ambassador Samantha Power, said only twice before has the Security Council met to discuss the security implications of a public health issue – both times on the AIDS epidemic. Today’s meeting was the first emergency meeting on a public health issue, according to the Security Council President. In his closing remarks to the Council, Dr. David Nabarro, the Senior United Nations System Coordinator for Ebola, welcomed the “powerful solidarity” shown during the day-long meeting for the countries affected, as well as appreciation for what they and their partners are doing to confront the outbreak. Some countries, including from Africa, had offered some significant commitments in support of the international Ebola response. “This has been such an extraordinary outpouring of support from all over the world – a real global coalition,” he said. Speaking to the press immediately after the meeting, Dr. Chan said she too had been touched by the outpouring of solidarity, which “gives us hope that the global community understands the severity of the outbreak and the fact that no one country or organization can address it alone.” Also briefing the Council today was Jackson K. P. Niamah of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) via videoconference from Monrovia, Liberia.