Rev. Deborah Moldow
AT THE UNITED NATIONS
Representing the World Peace Prayer Society
Deborah Moldow has been the Representative to the United Nations of the World Peace Prayer Society since 1994, promoting the prayer “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in every country in the world. Representatives of various religious and spiritual NGOs (non-governmental organizations) at the United Nations form a very special community helping to maintain a portal of light and love that honors the deepest intentions of the founders and early leaders of the United Nations, including Dag Hammarskjold and Eleanor Roosevelt. One focal point for our work is the UN Meditation Room by the beautiful Chagall windows inside the Visitors Entrance to UN Headquarters.
Deborah was the elected chair of the Values Caucus for five years, working with other NGOs to encourage the UN toward its highest vision. She now serves as a co-chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee, as Secretary of the Committee of Religious NGOs, and as facilitator of the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN (URI-UN).
Deborah was the elected chair of the Values Caucus for five years, working with other NGOs to encourage the UN toward its highest vision. She now serves as a co-chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee, as Secretary of the Committee of Religious NGOs, and as facilitator of the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN (URI-UN).
Spirit of the United Nations Award
In 2009, Deborah and her dear colleague Monica Willard (who represents the United Religions Initiative at the UN) were jointly honored with the Spirit of the United Nations Award by the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (NY). They were the first to receive this award in the NGO category. The other recipients in 2009 were Amb. Augustine Mahiga of Tanzania, and Dr. Monica Sharma of the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Land-Locked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing Countries (OHRLLS).
The International Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace, which was established by the UN General Assembly to be celebrated each year on 21 September, has been a central component of Deborah's work at the United Nations for more than ten years. Along with representatives of the United Religions Initiative and Pathways To Peace, Deborah helps the Department of Public Information to produce an annual observance for up to 700 students from the New York area, as well as UN Peacekeeping sites through live video conferencing. The entire event is webcast by the UN. The students participate in the ringing of the Peace Bell by the Secretary-General, and hear presentations by UN Messengers of Peace, such as Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall and Elie Weisel, as well as inspiring youth leaders and musical artists.
For the uplifting finale, Deborah leads a World Peace Flag Ceremony, inviting the students to raise the flag of every Member State of the United Nations with the theme, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." The wife of the Secretary-General raises the UN flag at the close of the ceremony.
But the most important aspect of the International Day of Peace is to encourage people around the world to celebrate peace together on the same day. Worldwide participation, supported by the website at www.internationaldayofpeace.org, has expanded exponentially over the past several years.
Deborah chronicles events that include Peace Poles or the prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth" all over the world in an annual report submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as the UN Department of Public Information.
Deborah received a Letter of Appreciation from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for her work on the International Day of Peace.
Closer to home, Deborah has led International Day of Peace events including the annual Peace Pole re-dedication at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, NY organized by Unity Made Visible.
For the uplifting finale, Deborah leads a World Peace Flag Ceremony, inviting the students to raise the flag of every Member State of the United Nations with the theme, "May Peace Prevail on Earth." The wife of the Secretary-General raises the UN flag at the close of the ceremony.
But the most important aspect of the International Day of Peace is to encourage people around the world to celebrate peace together on the same day. Worldwide participation, supported by the website at www.internationaldayofpeace.org, has expanded exponentially over the past several years.
Deborah chronicles events that include Peace Poles or the prayer "May Peace Prevail on Earth" all over the world in an annual report submitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as the UN Department of Public Information.
Deborah received a Letter of Appreciation from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for her work on the International Day of Peace.
Closer to home, Deborah has led International Day of Peace events including the annual Peace Pole re-dedication at Antioch Baptist Church in Bedford Hills, NY organized by Unity Made Visible.
Campus Peace Centers
A recent project at the United Nations has come about through Deborah’s work with the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns (NY). In cooperation with Dr. Neil Altman and a working group of several UN representatives, she has developed the concept of Campus Peace Centers, local meeting places for college and university students working toward various aspects of a culture of peace, supported by on on-line network that will include links to United Nations campaigns and opportunities for youth. The Campus Peace Centers project was launched at the United Nations on 25 October 2007, as part of the Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns. For more information on how to establish a Peace Center on your campus, please contact Deborah at deborah@worldpeace.org or visit the web site at www.campuspeacecenters.net.