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By Nomadic Chris, 25 December 2009
Globally, how can peace be further promoted?
What does the first ever World March for Peace and Non-violence hope to achieve?
 In this season of goodwill, mankind seeks one simple goal, peace! Globally, there is one major effort organized by “World without Wars” to promote the messages of peace and unity to all humanity, the World March for Peace and Non-Violence. The march, currently circling the world will call for the end of violence of all kinds (physical, economic, racial, religious, cultural, sexual, psychological) as well as raise public awareness of these issues.
The Start – New Zealand
The march began in New Zealand on October 2, 2009, the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, declared the “International Day of Non-Violence” by the United Nations. New Zealand was chosen as it was recently confirmed by the Global Peace Index (GPI) as the most peaceful nation on earth! New Zealand had a strong case as it was also the first country to grant women the right to vote, to legally ban nuclear weapons, and the first and only country to establish a Minister for Disarmament.
After thousands of miles, hundreds of related events, endless media coverage, the march will conclude in the Andes Mountains (Punta de Vacas, Aconcagua, Argentina) on January 2, 2010. The march will have lasted 90 days and passed through all climates and seasons, from the hot summer of the tropics and the deserts, to the winter of Siberia. The current position of the march can be tracked online.
What are the goals and objectives of the March? According to the official website, they include:
To denounce the dangerous world situation that is leading us closer and closer to nuclear war, which would be the greatest catastrophe in human history – a dead end.
To give a voice to the majority of world citizens who want peace. Although the majority of the human race opposes the arms race, we are not sending out a unified signal. Instead we are letting ourselves be manipulated by a powerful minority and suffering the consequences. The time has come to stand together and show our opposition. Join a multitude of others in sending a clear signal, and your voice will have to be heard!
To achieve: the worldwide eradication of nuclear weapons; the immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories; the progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons; the signing of non-aggression treaties among nations and the renunciation by governments of war as a way to resolve conflicts.
The march will have a ‘base’ number of participants who will join the march from start to finish. The march is open to any individual or organization who believes that peace, mutual understanding and collaboration is the way forward for greater unity. YOU too can be involved in your own little way! Check out the official website for details!
All events need some form of endorsement from celebrities and respected figures! Celebrities backing the march include: Former US president Jimmy Carter, Queen Rania al-Abdullah of Jordan, Desmond Tutu, United Nations Development Program head Helen Clark, and celebrities like Penelope Cruz, Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Pete Seeger, Lou Reed, Yoko Ono, Pedro Almodóvar, and Zubin Mehta!
Will the march end up simply having good intentions but no tangible results? The march is definitely generating media coverage and the fact that people are being pro-active, getting their voices HEARD and taking ACTION will no doubt stir others into doing something! The march is literally a step in the right direction! Support the March in your own little way!
Given all the wars and conflicts engulfing the world today, a magical historical moment that took place in World War One will no doubt give hope to the supporters of the march. The incident took place during Christmas 1914 on the Western Front.
The Christmas Day Truce – 1914
 Christmas is the season of goodwill and even in times of conflict, ‘enemies’ can set aside their differences………..
World War One (WW1) was supposed to be the war to end all wars. It was expected to be over by Christmas 1914 (ended 1918). On both sides, eager young men joined up in their millions. For these wide eyed innocents, it was going to be an adventure. Sadly, the romanticism of war soon gave way to horror; outdated war tactics, incompetent generals and destructive new weapons meant that up to 31 million people were killed, injured or missing.
WW1 laid the prelude to the 20th century’s endless conflicts; the high casaulty rate left entire European towns bereft of able bodied men during and after the war. But in the midst of all this carnage and madness, a well-known tale of hope, peace and humanity prevailed.
Many versions abound but this remarkable event began on Christmas Eve 1914, on the Western Front, five months into WW1. As the Christmas period fast approached, a ‘holiday’ mood swept the trenches and carols fast replaced the sounds of death.
At various points along the front, many German, French and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across no man’s land. Opposite trenches were literally only 50 to 60 yards away from each other. At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, soldiers from both sides emerged from their trenches and approached the opposite lines, calling out "Merry Christmas" in their native tongues.
A Friendly Kick About!
By instinct, all sides feared it was a trick! But the majority of soldiers were unarmed and posed no danger. The rivals met in the middle of ‘No mans land’ (normally a kill zone) and exchanged pleasantries and simple gifts. What do rival men get up to when they meet? Well, they play football! Yes, a simple kick about between British and German groups is also supposed to have occurred.
Fighting Starts Again!
When the unofficial truce formally ended and hostilities again continued, in the first few exchanges, all sides were alledged to have shot into the air. As WW1 raged on, instances of such incidences occuring again were stopped. This situation was truly one of it’s kind! The truce has been remembered in films, books, poetry and the football ‘match’ was also recently replayed by some 30 officers / soldiers from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who went to Frélinghien, France, where they played against the German Panzergrenadier Battalion 371. Both regiments took part in the original truce.
The truce came early in WW1, the full extent of the horrors of war were yet to be truly realised but for a brief moment, humanity and kindness reigned and sworn enenmies, all young innocents, shared a collective sense of humanity in the most unlikely of settings…..and peace prevailed.
Such stories can only give the “World March for Peace and non-violence’ and it’s supporters hope for a better future. Merry Christmas one and all!
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Please also read
- 3-month long WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE AND NON-VIOLENCE, begins today 2 October 2009! ... by !Baha 2 October 2009 CLICK HERE
Check out all our blogs in “CURRENT AFFAIRS & FASHION” CLICK HERE
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