Peace Corps Celebrates 50 Year Anniversary (1961-2011)

John Kennedy with Peace Corps Volunteers
(courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org)

There is a special ceremony going on in Orono today to celebrate the anniversary: wabi.tv/news

The Peace Corps was established by John Kennedy to promote world peace and friendship. This year, the Peace Corps is celebrating their 50th anniversary of "promoting peace and friendship around the world." Congratulations, and thank you for working to create a global climate of peace. peacecorps.gov

The Peace Corps was officially established on March 1, 1961 and, throughout it's history has served more than 138 countries. The Peace Corps is currently serving 76 countries with a staff of 9095 volunteers and trainees. Geographically, 39% volunteer in Africa, 24% volunteer in Latin America, and 18% volunteer in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Economically, 40% of all Peace Corps services go to education, and 12% goes to encourage business development. All this is done on a budget of $374 million a year. To see more quick facts check out the Peace Corps' fast fact page.


demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

Today is United Nations Day

United Nations HQ in New York (courtesy commons.wikimedia.org)

October 24 is UN Day and marks the anniversary of the UN Charter in 1945. The UN Day concert theme this year is sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Mongolia. The performance today will feature traditional "longsong" and throat singing, which is included on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life." ~UN, quote found here, read more here un.org/en/events/unday/2011/background


demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

The Blue Marble

The Blue Marble (courtesy Apollo 17)

This is the famous "blue marble" photograph taken by Apollo 17 astronauts on December 7, 1972. This is our world, the planet on which we all live. From this photo, though you can't see us, we are all here, well unless you were born after 1972 :).  So where ever you are on earth, take the time to enjoy your weekend.

If you have a moment, take the time to really think about the grandness of your life, and how lucky we all are to be here. Take time to think about how precious life is and how great it is to be alive. Whether you realize it or not, you have so much power and so much ability- You have a unique set of natural talents and gifts-  maybe you know this, or maybe you didn't you know- but you are the gift! You are the gift of life and the gift of peace.

demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

There Is A Business Need To Monetize Peace

There is a real business need to monetize peace. Economies operate much better in peaceful climates. Why is this so? Basic economic principles. A peaceful climate allows for higher revenue, more robust economic activity, and fewer undue costs. The reason for this is a peaceful climate has lower risk and less threats. Lower risk directly translates to a lower cost of doing business. There is also a greater opportunity for business to expand. This is because when people live in a peaceful environment they are free to grow and prosper.

A peaceful environment is a better climate for business (some examples):

+better for car companies to sell more cars
+better for insurance because there will be less crime, and they'll sell more insurance policies
+better for consumer staple companies to sell more products
+better for agricultural companies to sell more food
+better for industrial machinery companies to sell more construction equipment
+better for technology and computer companies to sell more technology
+better for international commerce
+better for consumers because they'll feel "more" safe- less crime to deal with
+better for governments and citizens because there will be an increase in civility
+better for governments because it will keep military personnel safer and stronger
+develops a stronger natural sense for public safety and self awareness

A non-peaceful environment creates inefficiencies, undue costs, and higher levels of risk. A business operating in a non-peaceful environment has higher risk and a larger threat of disruption. Simply put, if people live in a non-peaceful environment they are under threat of being cut down, thus it is more difficult to grow and prosper. Similarly, businesses have a more difficult time growing and sustaining. Ask any business, and they'll tell you that operating in a non-peaceful environment is more challenging because it increases the costs of doing business, it threatens demand, and it threatens supply.

demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

What Would You Choose?

I was searching the world wide web about peace topics and I happened to come across this page by Garry Davis. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share his link. He basically presents the question- suppose you have the choice between world war or world peace.

http://www.worldpeaceisyou.com/?hop=component

The Writing Is On The Wall



SF Chinatown, dragons for peace + love

demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded Today

Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2011 was awarded to three women today. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee, and democracy advocate Tawakul Karman of Yemen all share the award. Congratulations and thank you! Let today be a day to honor peace and respect life.

http://nytimes.com/2011/10/08/world/nobel-peace-prize-johnson-sirleaf-gbowee-karman

demopublican.org is here to promote public awareness of the need for world peace.

World Peace Foundation

The World Peace Foundation has a new Executive Director- Alex de Waal. He says, "I forsee the World Peace Foundation at Tufts positioning itself as a global leader in rigorous and creative new thinking about peace."

The Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Stephen W. Bosworth, says, "We are extremely excited to welcome the World Peace Foundation into the Fletcher School community. The Foundation's mission and ongoing research initiatives are respected the world over, and align seamlessly with Fletcher's core values and vision. My colleagues and I look forward to working with Alex de Waal on new programming and initiatives in the months to come."

http://www.worldpeacefoundation.org/

Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
(courtesy: commons.wikimedia.org)