- Title: USA: Singer Akon talks about his involvement in Peace One Day
- Date: 18th March 2014
- Summary: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MARCH 18, 2014) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) AKON, SINGER, SAYING: "Well actually Jeremy Gilley reached out to me, you know he is the founder of Peace One Day, and told me he wanted me to be the face for this year for Africa. And Congo was going to be the location where they actually do the main event. So I, of course, I gladly a
- Embargoed: 2nd April 2014 13:00
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- Country: USA
- Reuters ID: LVAD97Z5V3BGT48JL9ZPAF2GQIFP
- Story Text: After 15 years, the organizers of Peace One Day are still spreading their message of harmony and non-violence.
This year, the founder tapped singer Akon to help get the word out even further.
"Jeremy Gilley reached out to me, you know he is the founder of Peace One Day, and told me he wanted me to be the face for this year for Africa. And Congo was going to be the location where they actually do the main event. So I of course, I gladly accepted because it is something I've always wanted to do anyway," he told Reuters.
Peace One Day was founded by Gilley, a British film-maker, who became so frustrated with news of war and destruction that he decided to create a day of non-violence and to make a film of the process in 1999.
He lobbied the United Nations for a fixed calendar date -- September 21 -- for an international day of peace and persuaded UN member states to pass a resolution calling for a day of ceasefire and non-violence. The campaign was launched in 2001 and Peace One Day has gradually spread.
This year's initiative is focused in the DRC and Great Lakes, but Akon said the need for peace is universal.
"I think violence is pretty much everywhere it's just magnified in certain areas a little more. But when you look at just crime rate, even in the U.S., outside of places like maybe a Congo or a DRC, they're not too far apart from each other. It's just one is more magnified and more publicized than the others. Because when you look at Chicago for instance it gets really, really crazy. So Peace One Day applies to everywhere," he said.
The campaign asks people to think about "Who will you make peace with?"
"Well I don't have any enemies," said Akon when asked.
"So, I'm out there trying to put the word out for those who do. You can have a conversation to dissolve the issues, whatever they may be," he added.
Akon will headline the Peace One Day concert in Goma on September 21, 2014. The organization hopes to reach 1.5 billion people with its message of peace that day. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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