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House of Commons
2112 |
Notices of Motions
ROCHDALE PEACE PARADE |
15:10:07 |
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Paul Rowen |
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Jeremy Corbyn |
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Harry Cohen |
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Mr David Drew |
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Chris McCafferty |
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Mr John Leech |
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That this House congratulates the organisers of Rochdale Peace Parade, especially John Farrington, the schools and colleges of Rochdale and Rochdale Council for their successful celebration of the United Nations Day of Peace in 2006 and 2007; welcomes Rochdale Peace Parade's vision of nationwide events that would promote the absence of not only war, but of all violence and bullying in schools, in homes and on the streets; pledges to do whatever it can to promote 21st September as the United Nations Day of Peace, and its values, within parliamentary constituencies in order to further the objectives and vision incorporated within the UN General Assembly resolutions; and furthermore encourages local authorities across the United Kingdom to support local celebrations of this day. |
Dear John,
John Carmichael has told me of the great support for the UN Day of Peace that
you have been able to achieve in Rochdale. I am hoping that my diary will
allow me to attend.
We have a crisis with the refusal of entry visas for the Palestinian Under-19
Football Team and we are trying to resolve this. This may lead to a TV
Campaign on the day.
I have asked John to liase with you re arrangements for the day
Best wishes,
Nancy Dell'Olio
To: Peace Parade UK
16th October
Dear John
I would urge ALL communities everywhere to show solidarity with the principles and aims of the UN Day of Peace. This Day can and should reflect the feelings of ordinary people everywhere, who yearn to live in a non violent, peaceful world where we all respect each other’s right to choose the way we live without coercion from others who would have us conform to their enforced choices with no freedom of choice.
Rochdale has, through your initiative, given a lead to other towns and cities in the UK and this should be embraced by the Civic leaders of the town, especially given the town’s proud record with the Co-operative movement. Through their efforts, other towns would be motivated to follow, and support / awareness of the day would grow to help make the Day a much bigger and better publicised occasion for all to celebrate in the future.
Edmund Burke once said, ‘All that is necessary for evil to win, is for enough good men to do nothing’….this holds even more true today than ever before
Best wishes
Colin Parry OBE
October 15th 2007
Dear John,
Now the dust has settled a little after the activities worldwide surrounding the UN International Day of Peace - we have had time to reflect on the contribution of the Rochdale Peace Parade.
Firstly we should congratulate all those who took part and braved the adverse weather conditions to honor a UN Resolution designed to promote world peace. We were all touched by the inspiration of Rochdale to host a parade to the Cenotaph. This is a great way to re-educate young people to the value of historic monuments of remembrance and the enduring need for peace in the world.
I think Rochdale has set an example to the nation and by integrating the Day of Peace into the curriculum of educational activities and a topical debate on conflict - a true model for replication by other British Boroughs has been created. When Nancy reported on her visit to UN Messengers of Peace there was acclaim for this blueprint for a National Day across the United Kingdom.
The UN Resolution 55/228 (a UK Gov motion in 2002) calls on all UN Member States to observe the day as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence by introducing educational initiatives and awareness campaigns to support the day. Rochdale is the first Borough in the UK and this was recognised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) at a meeting with the original architects of the idea.
We hope that Rochdale will continue to build on the Day of Peace and use the educational activities around it to address issues of social indiscipline, bullying and aggressive behaviour in all walks of life. As we all saw on the day the sporting activities channel youthful energy into positive behaviour. Rochdale can be proud of her young people who set such an example to the rest of us.
Please keep us informed as to developments with Borough.
Best wishes,
John Carmichael
Director - Truce International
18th October 2007
Dear John,
I am writing to thank you for inviting me as a guest speaker at the recently held Rochdale Peace Parade.
As the Education Officer of the Youth Council of the United Nations Association of the UK, it is my duty to help instil a sense of global citizenship among the youth in the UK. By inviting all those students from schools across Rochdale to actively participate in the Peace Parade, you are helping to create a generation of youth that will grow up with sensitivity to the global problems that we all face together as citizens of the world.
There are many ways to "teach" about peace and how it can be brought about. The students that took part in the Parade could have been in a class being lectured about peace by their teacher; but this never serves as an effective method of engaging their thoughts and ideas. Active participation in events that inspire the minds of youth, such as the Rochdale Peace Parade, helps create a new, informed and responsible generation of youth. As Ban-Ki Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations once said “Youth bring fresh, innovative thinking to longstanding development concerns.” By carrying out the Rochdale Peace Parade, you are enlightening those students and investing in a peaceful future.
With all my best wishes for the future.
Thank you,
Kind Regards,
Avnish Raichura
Education Officer
Youth Council
United Nations Youth & Student Association UK
www.una.org.uk/youth
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