NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS SECRETARY GENERAL TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR CULTURE OF PEACE

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS SECRETARY GENERAL TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR CULTURE OF PEACE

WITH PEACE BELL CEREMONY AT HEADQUARTERS

Secretary General Kofi Annan will officially launch the International Year for the Culture of Peace when he rings the Peace Bell in a Headquarters ceremony at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 14 September.

The launch of the International Year, proclaimed by the United Nations for the year 2000 on the initiative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will also be observed with ceremonies at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and by numerous other events throughout the world.

The Bell is a gift of the United Nations Association of Japan and cast from coins donated from people in over 60 countries. It is traditionally rung by the Secretary-General on the International Day for Peace, which is celebrated each year on the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly.

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