Maurice Kirya, Cindy become world peace ambassadors

Mar 23, 2016

Their performance will be part of activities to mark the International Day of Peace which falls on September 21 every year.


Maurice Kirya and Cindy Sanyu- two of Uganda's celebrated artistes will be among the top musicians from Africa's Great lakes region to perform at the forthcoming Peace One Day youth celebrations on September 21 this year.

Their performance will be part of activities to mark the International Day of Peace which falls on September 21 every year.  

The day has over the years been popularized by Peace One Day, an internationally acclaimed campaigner for peace and nonviolence in the world- as a day of global ceasefire and nonviolence throughout the world.

The duo joins a list of talented musicians from the Great lakes region who will perform at this year's peace day celebrations scheduled to take place at the Lugogo Cricket grounds on September 21.

They include: Knowless from Rwanda, Fally Ipupa from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kidum Kibido from Burundi, the African Children's Choir and the Nairobi Chamber Chorus. The musicians will do live performances in a campaign that seeks to support young people become peace builders of the future.  The stars will jointly sing a peace anthem entitled "Great Lakes singing as One" which has been put together by South African Coke Studio Africa artist Zwai Bala.

Unveiling the artistes on Monday, Jeremy Gilley, the founder of the Peace One Day said that as young talented musicians, Maurice and Cindy would be an important part of the campaign that seeks to rally the youth to embrace peace.



"I'm pleased that we are in Uganda this year where we will be holding the peace one day youth celebration with artistes like Maurice Kirya, Cindy and others from Rwanda and Burundi," Gilley said adding that above the celebration, the artistes will play a crucial role of raising awareness about peace and nonviolence in our society.

"This is not just a celebration, but also an effort to create awareness among people, keeping in mind that peace is not in the hands of governments. It is in the hands of the people. Most of it is orchestrated by the people."

The participating artistes are excited to be part of a campaign that has led to positive behavioural change and strengthened ongoing peace building efforts in different parts of the world.

"This is a good opportunity for us to work together as artistes to bring people across the cultural divide in promoting peace," Cindy Sanyu said.

 eft  right indy anyu eremy illey wai ala and aurice irya during the unveiling of the gandan artists on onday in ugolobi hoto tephen senkaaba Left - right: Cindy Sanyu, Jeremy Gilley, Zwai Bala and Maurice Kirya during the unveiling of the Ugandan artists on Monday in Bugolobi. Photo/ Stephen Ssenkaaba

 
Maurice Kirya said: "This is a chance for us to mobilise young people for peace. To use our talents to pass on the message that despite all our differences, we are united: one heart, one mind, one spirit."

Zwai Bala said he was pleased "to have contributed to this campaign. "After writing the anthem, I am very pleased that I will be joining my fellow artistes and other young people to spread this important message of peace."

For now, the campaign goes on mobilising support and raising awareness about its peace building campaigns.

Founded in 1999, Peace One Day promotes the international day of peace all over the world through different activities. For the last three years, the organization has been promoting peace day in the Great Lakes region through music, sport, school activities and high level meetings with government and opinion leaders.

Facts about Peace One day

  • Peace One Day is a non-profit organisation whose objective is to institutionalize the International Day of Peace.
  • They aim at bringing international attention to all the regional peace efforts through music and film.
  • They campaigned for the unanimous adoption by the UN Member States of an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on 21 September (Peace Day).
  • Since 2013, POD has, with support from the Howard G. Buffett foundation- been raising awareness of Peace Day in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
  • They have been campaigning with all sectors of society and organisations to promote positive behavioural change through Peace Day and inspire people  to take action on Peace Day.
  • Their efforts have led to the overall reduction of violence in different parts of the world. In Uganda POD had been working with youth organisations in Uganda and creating a network of young peace builders.

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