In July 1998, I decided to make a film about peace. Then I realized there was no day of peace. That was it. I was going to try and establish the first ever annual peace day, a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, a day for everyone to become involved in the peace process. If I failed, the film could make a profound statement about a world unwilling to change. If I succeeded, well, that was almost inconceivable.

When will they ever learn?

September 21 is the annual United Nations International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day. On this day, a global ceasefire and non-violence is observed by all 192 member states of the United Nations. Imagine, all weapons are laid down for 24 hours, in honor of peace.

Even more remarkable, however, is the story of how World Peace Day really came to life. It was approved by the leaders of the United Nations and supported by many more, but it all began with one determined individual. Mr. Jeremy Gilley, award-winning British filmmaker, is the founder and chair of the non-profit organization, Peace One Day.

Mr. Gilley’s mission has been to document on film his amazing 10-year journey to establish the World Peace Day and the remarkable achievements made thereafter.

I came up with the idea for Peace One Day because I am a filmmaker. And I wanted to see if I could use the form of film in a constructive way. Can I use it to make a difference? Could I use it to answer fundamental questions for myself, like is humankind fundamentally evil? Is the destruction of the world inevitable? Should I have children? Is that a responsible thing to do?

I’m deeply concerned about what’s going on in the world and I thought, well, through my work, through the making of a documentary, maybe I can answer questions for myself and therefore for the viewers as well.

As I was thinking about peace, I was realizing where is the starting point for peace? And then of course I thought, there isn’t a starting point for peace. There isn’t a starting point for global unity. There isn’t a starting point for a sort of moment of intercultural cooperation, on a scale that humanity has never known before.

In fact, there was no Peace Day. And that was it. Could I make a film about trying to establish the first-ever Day of Peace on the planet? The first day of a ceasefire, non-violence day with a fixed calendar date?

With this specific goal in mind, Mr. Gilley set out around the world and especially into areas of conflict such as Burundi, Somalia, Gaza in Palestine, and Sri Lanka. He also met with government leaders, United Nations officials, and humanitarian workers to discuss with them the idea of having a global peace day. At the time, the United Nations already had a 1982 resolution for an International Day of Peace but it had never been observed.

We need something to grab, we need to grab hold of a concept. It’s still too up in the air, it’s still too lovey-dovey. The cynics will say, “Jeremy Gilley, the tree-hugger. Crazy man, has crazy ideas. World peace, give me a break.” But you know that the same people who are calling me the tree-hugger are saying the same thing about the building that we are in, right? And that is the whole point.

We need to stop people from believing that these things aren’t possible. This is the United Nations International Day of Peace, which has not been observed, and the resolution has never been supported. I’m not being rude, I am just saying, there’s a lot of people out there that I come across that are like, you know, “UN, okay, yeah right. We’re still at war.”

Good luck!

Through time, I think it will be more and more effective. What do you think?

To come to 100 %, you need a lot of time. (Yes.) But I think the great thing is, at least, we have done something for the next generation. (Yes.)

If there is a cessation for a day, then it gives us an opportunity to move supplies safely through places that are otherwise difficult.

This is my suggestion: When you go around the world and find a group of people who do what you do, but in their country, then go to another country and do the same thing. So that would make everything more powerful. (Yeah.)

How old are you? (Sixteen.) So you are about to leave school soon? (Yeah.) Will you do it for me?

I was traveling around, speaking to people, saying, “Is this a good idea?” Going into areas of conflict, talking to humanitarians, and saying, “Look, could this day have any real practical benefit to individuals?” And the answer was yes.

If you have a day of peace, you can immunize children, you can move aid. People won’t be killed because they won’t be fighting. Children in schools can be inspired and empowered because they’ve got a starting point for their actions for a more peaceful world. So there were lots of benefits to a peace day, a day that unites the world.

When return, we will learn how Mr. Gilley’s efforts bore fruit and the International Day of Peace was finally established. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television.

Welcome back to Enlightening Entertainment and our program on Peace One Day and how one concerned citizen and dedicated filmmaker worked to establish the first-ever day of ceasefire and non-violence in the history of humankind.

I visited Gaza, I visited the West Bank. I saw Shimon Peres, because I asked all Nobel Laureates for a statement about peace. Peace One Day is not saying who is right and who is wrong. In our hearts, we know if someone dies, it is wrong. The Arab League has an incredible opportunity to demonstrate to the world its commitment to peace by calling for ceasefire and nonviolence on the first ever United Nations ceasefire day.

I honestly come here for you to make history. I ask you to lead the world and I will document that journey. I thank you so much for this opportunity.

Eventually, Mr. Gilley received support from Nobel Peace Prize Laureates such as His Holiness The Dalai Lama, former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias Sánchez, and Israeli President Shimon Peres, as well as from officials of the United Nations and the League of Arab States. Many of them saw the practical benefits of having a globally agreed day of no violence.

The day could be the beginning of a deeper process. It has the practical impact of allowing access of humanitarian aid, access of information, freedom of movement, relief from the pressure and tension of not knowing where the next bomb or bullet may come from. That, to me, is an idea whose time has come.

Although we may not live, we may not enjoy that brighter future, but doesn’t matter. This is the matter for humanity, matter for world. So, no matter how limited the effect, we must make every effort for the promotion of peace and inner values. So, I fully support.

I also wish to state, categorically, that we do support the Peace One Day program. This is a step forward in international relations.

The final step forward to establishing the Peace Day came when the filmmaker and self-made peace ambassador received an invitation to meet with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Very nice to meet you. Mr. Secretary General. Do you support the creation of the first global ceasefire day in the history of humankind?

Oh absolutely, I think it’s a great idea. Any moment, whether it’s a day or a week, that we can give the combatants to pause to think and reflect on what they are doing to their own people and to the environment will be a great achievement. And I will support it 100 %.

Secretary General Kofi Annan, he helped because he believed in it. And he gave permission for me to be able to tell the story and visit areas of conflict to be able to understand the benefits that the day could have. He was inspirational to the success of the campaign.

And he was inspirational to me, that I had the opportunity to sit with him and hear his words and be encouraged by him. That sense of the importance of the individual is very important to him. That each and every person has a role to play. I’m grateful to him.

To see Ban Ki Moon, the new Secretary General, now, is obviously as well a great honor. He too knows the importance of individuals’ place within the peace process.

At long last, in September 2001, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution establishing an annual day of global ceasefire and nonviolence. It would be observed every year on September 21, the United Nations International Day of Peace.

So the world now has a Peace Day. It’s September 21. It’s a day of ceasefire and non-violence. It’s an opportunity for you as an individual to make a commitment to a more peaceful and sustainable world.

And over the last few years we’ve been traveling the world, orchestrating practical activity in areas of conflict such as Afghanistan, where my ambassador Jude Law has been traveling with me going into Afghanistan, which has led to millions of children now over the last few years being vaccinated on that day because the humanitarians can get to them because they are guaranteed not be killed.

But also in the schools it’s been working. So the day works. It saves lives, it empowers people, it inspires people. And it’s a wonderful opportunity for our world to come together on the most fundamental issues we face, which of course, is the protection of each other and the protection of our environment.

No wars will stop us singing Our voices will stay strong Even through the darkest nights We will sing a song No fear will stop us dreaming Our dreams will light the sky Even when all hope is gone Our dreams will not die

Thank you for having joined us today for part 1 of our two-part program on the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace. Be sure to join us again tomorrow, September 21, as we find out about the tremendous response of World Peace Day and the special films created by Mr. Jeremy Gilley as a testament to humankind’s yearning for peace. Now, please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television for Words of Wisdom, after Noteworthy News. May your heart be filled with loving kindness.

On Peace Day, September 21, there will be activities all over the world: Immunization campaigns, football matches, children singing, families making up. You can find out all this information on You can also use this site to make your own commitment which we really hope you do. Many thanks.

The United Kingdom and Costa Rican governments have now joined together…

I think the important thing is to keep talking about it and keep trying, you know?

I’ll stay with you… and see how it goes. But I think it’s very very important and I’m really really proud.

The need for such an enhanced approach was originally brought to our attention by a UK-based non-governmental organization, Peace One Day.

This is a step forward in international relations.

… be observed as a global ceasefire day.

Let’s stand up on September 21, let’s say that we want peace, and let’s begin…

…to make peace a reality throughout the world 365 days a year. Thank you, Mr. President.

May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt that resolution?

It is so decided.

In 1998, British filmmaker Mr. Jeremy Gilley decided to make a documentary about peace. What he began was an amazing movement that led to the establishment of an official United Nations global day of ceasefire and nonviolence. Year after year, this one day of peace has made a huge difference in countless people’s lives.

Jeremy Gilley is the founder and chair of the non-profit organization, Peace One Day. He had traveled all over the world and has won support from governments and other notable groups and people worldwide: the United Nations Secretary-General, the League of Arab States, Nobel Laureates, internationally famed musicians and celebrities.

His first two films, the outcomes of his journey, were “Peace One Day” and “The Day After Peace.” BBC’s Storyville editor Nick Fraser said: “In time, everyone should watch “The Day After Peace.” This film was produced in association with BBC and Passion Pictures, and has garnered recognition, including the 2009 Most Inspirational Movie of the Year by Cinema for Peace, and 2008 Best Documentary Award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival.

Mr. Gilley’s third film, co-produced by Jude Law, was just aired on September 18-19 by BBC World with transmission in over 200 countries. How has the day made a difference in people’s lives?

It was in 2008 when Jude Law joined Jeremy Gilley to travel to Afghanistan, where the Taliban had promised to honor a ceasefire on World Peace Day. With the help of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, and the Afghan Government, 1.4 million Afghan children were safely immunized against polio on World Peace Day 2008.

For this to really work, you also have to include insurgent groups, because for them to…

We are the neutral group, we are the absolutely neutral group (Yes, of course.) who live in those areas (Right.) and live in the same village with them. We have presence in every single province in 34 provinces.

We are going to observe the day of peace, and we’re going to implement an activity that affects and saves peoples’ lives.

It wasn’t just the Taliban, it was all of the various groups that are in that area. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and US Coalition and others who all said, “Yeah, this is a very important day. Let’s make this work.” And collectively they made it work. So there’s one example of extraordinary things that can happen.

Some people will go, “Well, one day of peace, whatever. What good is that going to do? How’s that really going to make a difference?”

What we do is we prove to the cynic that it can work. Because if it’s your child who just got that polio vaccination, are you not going to be saying, “Well hang on a minute, that day of peace just saved my daughter or my son’s life, or changed their life forever”? You’d be saying, “Hang on a minute, that day really has an impact.”

Having gone into Sudan and Afghanistan and Burundi and Somalia and the Congo and Europe or North America, I’ve seen people suffering in a way that is just totally unfair. I want that to change. And the way it’s going to change is by marking September 21, if they believe that that will make a massive difference and have an impact, then they will mark it. And that’s what I’m here to say.

For Peace Day 2007, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children were treated for Vitamin A deficiency and measles. And in Congo’s conflict-affected South Kivu province, chemically treated mosquito nets were distributed to over 600,000 children.

The day works on all kinds of levels, in fact. And what we want to do is promote it. I think there’s a lot of people out there in the world who are doing extraordinary things, for the benefit of others. And the more that we do that the quicker we’re going to change. Because if we don’t, we’re looking at horrific, catastrophic suffering for all. It will come right on our own doorstep.

When we return, we will hear more about the successes of the World Peace Day initiatives in recent years and its future goals. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television.

Thank you for supporting Peace One Day. Whatever pledge you made for peace on this day, take it forward. Make it a pledge for all your days.

Peace, perfect peace. I’ve cried for peace.

Now with these Peace Days, we have an opportunity building more every year on every year. It’s not a pipe dream, it’s a reality.

Welcome back to our program featuring Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace One Day. At the annual gala, talented artists support the goals of Peace One Day.

It’s practical. It’s historic, because we’ve never come together before and now we have that opportunity. And we’re seeing millions of people in every country of the world, doing such a thing.

Ahmed Fawzi from the United Nations announced at the Royal Albert Hall a number of years ago when we had a big concert with Annie Lennox and Bryan Adams and James Morrison and Kate Nash and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) and all kinds of incredible people that we’ve been working with. He said that over hundred million people, were active all over the world. That was years ago. So, we’re talking about a big movement. We’re talking about something that’s growing very, very quickly. And thank goodness it is.

We’re gonna have peace one day. If you believe it.

It’s our moral responsibility. We are human beings. We have the responsibility to show the right path. So, I fully support.

Let love rule!

What will you do to make peace on September 21?

Peace!

On Peace Day 2006, the World Food Program carried out a food delivery in southern Sudan and 60 tons were successfully brought to those in need. On the same day in Congo, a girl who had been taken away and forced to fight was reunited with her family.

And today, on World Peace Day 2010, more than 20 humanitarian organizations are carrying out over 80 humanitarian activities in about 30 countries. Indeed, the day is more than symbolic, but also highly practical; a window for life-saving activities.

Today, on September 21, 2010, Star Syringe is delivering safe medicine in over 20 locations worldwide. Pump Aid is providing clean water and improved sanitation to rural communities in Africa. The Mines Advisory Group is removing landmines from Sudan. International Medical Corps is training health care providers in the prevention of acute malnutrition. And so on.

What stands out for me is just the sense of being an individual having nothing – I’ve got no academic background. The only qualification I’ve got is a D in pottery.

So, having this idea of trying to create the first ever day of peace voted by every member state of the United Nations and then take that idea to Afghanistan and see lives being saved on that day, that’s what stands out for me.

It’s like a fairy tale when I watch the film. It’s a lovely story about how many individuals and corporations, have made this day a reality. That in itself gives me great hope that we can change, because we can do extraordinary things if we set our mind to it.

I said to them what you have done in terms of creation of this resource, and that on their behalf we would very much welcome the special resource for the schools in Afghanistan.

The UN International Day of Peace on September 21 every year is not only about creating peace between nations, it’s about non-violence in homes, communities and schools.

It also can have an effect right here in our schools. Because on that day young people don’t bully. They start to learn about the link between sustainability and peace. They learn about great peacemakers.

They’ve got a starting point for their commitment to a more peaceful world through their art, through their poetry, through their music, through their literature. They’ve got an opportunity to spend 364 days planning for this one day where they are going to express themselves and feel empowered and inspired by their action and that of others. Really profound.

We’ve given thousands of free films away all across the UK and now a lot of America, and we will do the whole of America by the end of 2012. But we are actively seeking sponsorship to be able to give the film free to schools. The education resource itself is already free. So any teacher, anywhere in the world can go to PeaceOneDay.org and register and have free access to the material.

I’m delighted to announce that there have been football matches played in honor of Peace Day in 180 countries around the world.

Over the years, Jeremy Gilley has spoken to over 30,000 young people about making peace.

Does anyone know the kind of things that would help people that we could do on Peace Day that could help people?

You could send out vaccines.

Fantastic, Nathan, that’s absolutely right.

We asked Mr. Jeremy Gilley what he would tell young people to make the world a more peaceful place.

Firstly, I’d tell them that September 21 is Peace Day and that that’s an opportunity for them to express themselves through their art, their poetry, their literature, their music, whatever it might be. I’d tell them that they can change the world, that their actions count, that by making a commitment on this day, they can feel really empowered, and they will inspire others by doing such a thing.

And also it will benefit others, because whatever they decide to do is obviously going to have an impact to themselves, their friends, their family, society. And I’d say look, visit PeaceOneDay.org and log your commitment.

Today, September 21, the United Nations International Day of Peace, we salute Mr. Jeremy Gilley for your courageous and noble perseverance in realizing not only your own but all humanity’s shared dream of a peaceful world. We appreciate today – a day of conscious nonviolence among nations and humans. Let us renew our wish that love and harmony soon will prevail for all beings.

Thank you for joining us today. Coming up next is Words of Wisdom, right after Noteworthy News. May peace be with you and your loved ones. To find out more on being part of World Peace Day, please visit