The World March for Peace and Nonviolence, with a base team of “messengers of peace”, including approximately 30 people, will complete the journey throughout the globe by air, sea, and land, traveling through 5 continents. Starting on October 2nd 2009 this journey will begin in New Zealand and pass through Panama on December 14 of 2009.

After arriving to the Canoas Pass, the international contingent of the World March will travel the Panamerican Highway to the capital. The march will culminate in the Andes mountain range in Punta de Vacas, Argentina on January 2, 2010.

This world event, planned for over a year, is the sole event of its kind, promoting the following proposals:

To avoid a future nuclear catastrophe we must surpass violence today, demanding:

• nuclear disarmament at a global level;

• the immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories;

• the progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons;

• the signing of non-aggression treaties between countries;

• the renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts.

During the tour of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence activities are being developed with events held world wide to foment consciousness about the problems of violence in each country and making concrete proposals for a global nonviolent culture.

The Community for Human Development is organizing events in Panama City commemorating the World Day of Peace, October 2 — the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, and during the passing of the march through our country Panama. The events are included in the following calendar of activities:

– Friday, October 2 – 6pm – Interamerican University

– Monday, October 5 – 6pm – Auditorium of the Latin University

– Monday, December 14 – 6pm – Concert for Peace and Nonviolence in the Domo University

This proposal has been joined with the endorsement of numerous prominent international and national public figures in our country including: the University of Panama, the Defense of the People, the Latin University, Karen Peralta — writer, Robert Baum – musician (from the band Roba Morena), Randy Cuevas – (of the musical group La Chota), and well known figures of the art, cultural, and intellectual fields.

(translation of article from Spanish to English by: Hope Jolles)