NEW YORK (PRWEB) September 16, 2020
Peace has never been more important than right now. Faced with a global pandemic, an environmental emergency, an historic refugee crisis and an international struggle for human rights, people everywhere are yearning for peace. This year, on September 21, millions of viewers in 132 countries will make the choice for peace by participating in the 12th Annual "Peace Day Global Broadcast" commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace. The broadcast streams from PeaceChannel.com, the only streaming non-profit network that focuses 24/7 on peace, prosperity and protecting the planet. It can also be found on the United Nations website for the International Day of Peace, and the Pledge to Peace website of the European Parliament. The webcast starts at midnight Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-4) on September 20, 2020.
The "Peace Day Global Broadcast" is hosted once again by international film star Golshifteh Farahani. “”As an actor, I travel all over the world,” she said. “I’ve learned that no matter where people live or what language they speak, everyone wants peace.” Co-hosts include actors and eco-activists Ed Begley, Jr. and Rachelle Carson Begley, and Peruvian pop star Pepe Alva.
This year’s broadcast features the world premiere of the documentary short "Citizen of the World." The work follows “peace pilot” Robert DeLaurentis as he flies from the South Pole to the North Pole, becoming the first pilot to use only biofuels over the poles. The aircraft is a Twin Turbo Commander 900, and the expedition is an aviation first for this type of plane. Along the way, in 26 nations on 6 continents, he interviews remarkable individuals about what it means to be a citizen of the world.
“The 'Peace Day Global Broadcast' has good news for everyone around the globe tired of waking up to bad news,” said Bill McCarthy, "Peace Day Global Broadcast" co-founder and co-founder and president of Unity Foundation. “There’s encouraging news about how people are solving humanity’s greatest challenges, empowering entertainment from some of the world’s most popular artists, including the international musicians of Playing for Change. Last year, we had millions of views in 132 countries, and this year we’re expecting far more.”
Featured newsmakers include:
- Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary General
- Jane Goodall, UN Messenger of Peace
- Michael Douglas, UN Messenger of Peace
- Prem Rawat, Ambassador of Peace, UNIPAZ
- Malala Yousafzai, Nobel laureate
The "Peace Day Global Broadcast" promotes the vitally important work of the United Nations, its humanitarian agencies, and organizations working for peace, the environment, human rights, and social and economic justice. The broadcast spotlights the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals agreed upon by all UN member countries. Now in its 12th year, the "Peace Day Global Broadcast" is produced by the Unity Foundation in partnership with Peace Channel. It is the first broadcast produced specifically for distribution on the United Nations website for the International Day of Peace, with video content produced by the United Nations and its agencies.
“’Shaping Peace Together’ is this year’s UN Peace Day theme,” said Dr. Darlene Shelton, Peace Channel founder and the show’s director. “For all people everywhere, peace is a fundamental human right and a fundamental human need –like air, food and water. Our broadcast reaches out to all people -- its inclusive and multicultural – which I value as a director, a psychologist and a person of color.”
The "Peace Day Global Broadcast" is the brainchild of human rights activist McCarthy, co-founder and president of the Unity Foundation, who has advocated for the United Nations since 1984. In 2017, President Barack Obama recognized him for lifetime achievement in global unity. “We’re trying to reach as many people as possible with a simple message,” McCarthy explained. “Peace is more than the absence of war. It’s a positive feeling that is a basic right of every human being. That’s what we’re sharing online.
“More than a decade ago, Unity Foundation Co-Founder and Vice President Laurien Towers and I launched the "Peace Day Global Broadcast" to celebrate the message that peace is really possible,” McCarthy continued. "Since then, we’ve been honored by participation from world leaders and international celebrities. Our audience has grown each year.”
About Unity Foundation
Unity Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a 45 year history of promoting peace, cooperation and unity throughout the world through music and media events. In 1975, inspired by a Jefferson Starship lyric, aspiring rock singer Bill McCarthy launched Unity Foundation (UnityFoundation.org) with a benefit concert headlined by Jefferson Starship and the Grateful Dead that united 45 disparate community organizations. Contributions to Unity Foundation are tax deductible through the fiscal sponsorship of the Peace Development Fund.
About Peace Channel
Peace Channel is the only not-for-profit network streaming music, news and views about peace, prosperity and protecting the planet. It curates the best of YouTube programming and produces original videos to present peace as a positive experience that begins within each of us. In 2014, media psychologist Dr. Darlene Shelton and lawyer David Weinberg, a community peace advocate, introduced PeaceChannel.com as a digital platform streaming the best of humanity.