FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rick Ulfik (Founder of We, The World and the WE Campaign)
(212) 867-0846
RickUlfik@WeTheWorld.org


New York City ­ June 20, 2011 ­ Marking the 100 day countdown to 11 Days of Global Unity, September 11 -21 and the International Day of Peace, the WE Campaign of We, The World, in cooperation with the United Religions Initiative in North America, as well as Pathways To Peace and World Peace Prayer Society, announce collaboration with many new major partners and supporters. Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11/01, and the 30th anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace (September 21st), this "11 Days - 11 Ways" campaign is building a global coalition to reframe the media and political dialogue on terrorism by promoting solutions within 11 themes of social change that will create a more peaceful, sustainable world.

"I believe that without developing the much-needed sense of solidarity among the peoples of the world, all our efforts for peace, development and human rights will go nowhere," stated Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN "The 11 Days of Global Unity aims at strengthening the ideals of unity and equality, diversity and oneness, harmony and compassion and, above all, at advancing the culture of peace within and among all nations and peoples. I welcome this remarkable initiative to recognize humanity's underlying oneness for promoting sustainable world peace."

The 11 Days of Global Unity Themes are: Unity, Interdependence, Environment, Economic Justice, Health, Children & Youth, Women, Human Rights, Freedom, Disarmament, and The International Day of Peace

Annual participation in 11 Days of Global Unity has grown dramatically to over 700 associated events in more than 60 countries since it was first launched by We, The World in 2004. This year, organizers anticipate even greater participation as organizations see an opportunity to unite around critical issues within each of the 11 themes.

"As an Honorary Co-Chair of the 2004 launch of 11 Days of Global Unity, I am excited to see its tremendous growth and development," said best selling author and visionary thinker Deepak Chopra. "11 Days - 11 Ways to Change the World is a campaign that unifies diverse movements for change to transform the planet."

We, The World, with the support of the United Religions Initiative in North America, has assembled an array of 11 Days Partners that represent a cross-section of social change advocates - large and small, local and global:

Pathways To Peace is an international peacebuilding, educational organization that is a principal organizer of the International Day of Peace Sept. 21st. The World Peace Prayer Society internationally promotes "May Peace Prevail On Earth" with over 250,000 Peace Poles planted around the world. Africa Youth For Peace And Development in Cameroon engages in community projects like tree planting, training youth to be self-reliant and teaches human rights to youth associations. PeaceJam NextGenLeaders' Northeast Program Manager Colleen Kelly Alexander announced a 500 mile Cycling for Peace ride. Prepare New York, a coalition of New York based interfaith organizations, is promoting civil dialogue by holding 500 CoffeeHour Conversations and a large-scale event the weekend of September 11th to promote inter-community understanding and religious tolerance in New York City during a time of heightened emotion and memory. The ninth annual Week of Global Interreligious Dialogue will take place around the world from September 15-21. Celebrities Against Poverty is recording Public Service Announcements and creating events with global leaders such as Wangari Maathai to promote peace and sustainability during 11 Days of Global Unity and the International Day of Peace.

Beginning on Sept 11th and continuing through Sept 21st, Unity Foundation and Peace Day TV will be live streaming a Global Internet Broadcast of 11 Days of Global Unity programs from around the world with a daily focus on each of the 11 Themes. Peace Day TV will also feature 5 days of special new programming from September 17th to the 21st promoting the humanitarian, peace, environmental, human rights, and social and economic justice work of the United Nations.

A major focus of the 11 Days - 11 Ways campaign is on increased youth involvement with a youth sourced platform for dialogue and action. "It is critically important to recognize the role young people can play in creating peace around the world," said Shawn Sweeney, co-chair of the United Nations International Day of Peace NGO Committee, and national program coordinator with the Jane Goodall Institute. "We¹re so excited that young people have played a pivotal role in planning our 2011 International Day of Peace celebrations. And we are grateful to be working in collaboration with this year's 11 Days of Global Unity campaign, focusing on the theme of Children and Youth."

San Francisco Interfaith Council Director Michael Pappas recently stated, ³We nurture interfaith groups that focus on single issues. We plan to utilize 11 Days - 11 Ways as a vehicle to celebrate the particular missions of those groups in that sacred time span Sept. 11-21, 2011.²

VRCities and We, The World are collaborating to launch a global Wellness Initiative as part of the 11 Days of Global Unity Campaign on Day 5 (September 15th), Health and Wellness Day, with healthful activities and events worldwide. "This partnership demonstrates how technology and pro-social organizations can be combined to take a leadership position." stated Dr. Jim Namaste, former program manager with the U.S. National Science Foundation and VRCities' Director of Program Development.

To see last year's 11 Days global partners, go to www.WE.net/11days/11days2010.

Individuals and organizations are invited to register at WE.net/11days/participate, select one or more of the 11 "Themes" and join this global coalition calling for change. Participants can list their events, promote their message through video, blog and social media, as well as collaborate on actions - all publicized worldwide via the 11 Days -11 Ways Campaign over the next 100 days, culminating with the International Day of Peace on September 21st. Foundations, companies and philanthropists are encouraged to donate to, or sponsor, one or more of the 11 themes, supporting the expansion of the campaign¹s outreach, facilitation of collaboration, and impact

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We, The World is a global coalition-building organization based in New York City. Founded in 1998 by Rick Ulfik, WTW has annually connected thousands of socially conscious organizations and individuals to amplify their efforts and generate public awareness and action. Advisors and supporters include Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Bill McKibben, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Daniel Ellsberg, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Marianne Williamson, Jonathan Granoff, Hazel Henderson, Robert Thurman, Riane Eisler, Patch Adams, and 70 other visionary leaders from around the world.

United Religions Initiative in North America is a Region of the global interfaith organization based in San Francisco. Since 2000, URI has been mobilizing the collective power of interfaith change-makers around the world. Today it bridges more than 200 religious, spiritual and indigenous traditions through the work of more than 500 Cooperation Circles working in 80 countries. In zones of religiously motivated conflict and civil unrest, URI Cooperation Circles are making a tangible difference by building schools and clinics, reintegrating refugees displaced by civil war, providing job training and resources, and facilitating reconciliation among combatants.