UN Calls for SMS Campaign on the International Day of Peace

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a call for a worldwide SMS campaign to mark the International Day of Peace, to be observed on 21 September. This year, the International Day of Peace takes on special meaning, as it is also the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Secretary-General said "We know that human rights are essential to peace. Yet too many people around the world still have their rights violated -- especially during and after armed conflict. That is why we must ensure that the rights in the Declaration are a living reality -- that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists -- and that it exists for them."

To mobilize people around the world, the United Nations is launching a text messaging campaign.

Ban Ki-moon's message reads: "On 21 September, the International Day of Peace, I call on world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all."

Alas, at 188 characters - it won't actually fit into a standard SMS.

The exact procedure for the campaign - or if it is just a call for people to send a message to friends is still to be clarified.

Posted to the site on 31st August 2008