NEW YORK: Seeking global efforts against conflict, poverty and violation of human rights, the United Nations has launched a peace campaign through text messages on mobile phones and websites to mark the International Peace Day.
"On September 21, the International Day of Peace, I call on world leaders and peoples around the world to join forces against conflict, poverty and hunger, and for all human rights for all," said UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in the text message.
The effort is part of a UN campaign that urges cell phone users in the United States to compose peace messages to be published on a website and delivered to world leaders gathered for the General Assembly beginning later this week.
Renowned violinist Midori Goto was appointed UN's Messenger of Peace in yesterday's ceremony which was kicked off with the traditional ringing of the peace bell.
The Secretary-General noted that the International Day has special significance as the year 2008 also marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the universal declaration of human rights by the UN.
"We know that human rights are essential to peace," he said, "yet too many people around the world still have their rights violated, especially during and after armed conflict."
"That is why we must ensure that the rights in the Declaration are a living reality - that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere," he added.
Later, Ban and the President of the 63rd session of the General Assembly Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann welcomed more than 700 participants in a students' conference on 'Peace and Human Rights' organised by the UN's public information department.
Asking the students to utilise the chance to speak out about their concerns and think about their future as well as the future of this world, the secretary general said that today's generation has powers of social networking that his generation can "hardly comprehend".
"I use electronic communications all the time, but honestly - this is a little embarrassing - I have zero friends online. But you, collectively, can reach tens of thousands of people in an instant," Ban said.
"You can mobilise way beyond your clique, beyond your community, even beyond the borders of your own country. That is the power you have and I count on it - your power to make this world different when you become leaders, and even before," he added.
The function was attended by several peaceniks including Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas, wildlife researcher and conservationist Jane Goodall and Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace prize winner Elie Wiesel.
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