INSTITUTE PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 11 INTERNATIONAL UNITY DAY
Who: International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
What: Proclaims "International Unity Day"
When: September 11
Where: In cities, towns, and homes around the world
Why: To declare our intent to create a unified quest for peace
Sue Kidd Shipe, President of IIHE, issued the following statement:
ALBANY, NY -- (09/03/2002; 0900)(EIS) -- "The International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering all people through the attainment of basic human rights, including quality education, healthcare, food, and a peaceful and loving environment, proclaims September 11 International Unity Day."
"Based upon the premise that many countries lost people in the attacks on the United States on September 11; that all people stand to benefit from resources directed toward education, healthcare, housing and development; and that terrorism and war result in needless pain and loss of human potential; the International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc. invites cities, peoples, and governments internationally to proclaim September 11 International Unity Day."
"Let's take this tragedy and use it to teach about peaceful and purposeful co-existence," said Shipe. "Let's promote friendship, goodwill, and acts of courage and kindness by taking a stand and demonstrating to the children that peace is a dream that can be realized."
Activities may include adopting a Unity Pledge; honoring those who perished; drafting a proclamation for unity across geographical, racial, ethnic, and religious boundaries; designing art and music in celebration of unity; and donating time and service toward organizations that promote peace.
Morgantown, West Virginia, USA, was the first city to proclaim International Unity Day for Jan. 1, 2000. The tragic events of Sept. 11 created an urgency to unite toward a common cause of peace, thus rendering September 11 the new and permanent date.
Sue Kidd Shipe, President
International Institute For Human Empowerment, Inc.
P. O. Box 3920
Albany, New York 12203 USA
(518) 393-9491
sueshipe@humanempowerment.org
www.humanempowerment.org
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