Sri Chinmoy:
The Peace Meditation at the United Nations

Draft under construction – for edit consolidation and links to related

Seven Minutes of World Peace is a global observance of peace that will join together simultaneously individuals, groups and organizations around the world for seven minutes of silence. This year, Seven Minutes of World Peace will be held from 1:00-1:07 pm Eastern Standard Time on United Nations Day (Thursday, 24 October). This day also marks the beginning of the International Year of Peace and the fortieth anniversary of the United Nations.

ITS PURPOSE
Seven Minutes of World Peace seeks to focus the attention of the entire world on the urgent need for world peace in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King and the United Nations itself. The observance offers people  in every country a special opportunity to transform their individual longing for peace into a tangible reality. If peace can reign for seven minutes, it is hoped that some day it might endure for seven hours, seven days, seven years and ultimately forever.

THE SPONSOR
The event is sponsored by Sri Chinmoy: The Peace-Meditation at the United Nations in co-operation with United Nations Associations around the world and a broad range of religious, spiritual, educational and peace organizations. The Peace-Meditation at the United Nations is an association of United Nations delegates, staff, NGO representatives and accredited press correspondents who believe that a foundation of inner peace must be established among all peoples – and especially among those working at the United Nations – before outer peace can ever become a reality. Towards this end, the Peace-Meditation has been holding twice weekly meditations for peace and related programmes at United Nations Headquarters since 1970.

1984 OBSERVANCE
Seven Minutes of World Peace was inaugurated in 1984 with the participation of groups in over 40 countries. The main observance was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, in conjunction with United Nations Day activities there. It featured a meditation led by Sri Chinmoy, leader of the Peace-Meditation at the United Nations.

Around the world, Seven Minutes of World Peace was observed during an all-night vigil held by peace organizations and religious groups in Uppsala, Sweden. In the Netherlands, some 30 peace, disarmament, spiritual and religious groups joined in the observance. Support for Seven Minutes of World Peace also came from groups in Australia, Canada, Czechoslovakia, Ghana, Greece, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The United Nations Association of India and the World Muslim Congress of Pakistan were particularly active.

Press coverage was extensive in the Netherlands, where there were major articles in the AIgemeen Dagblad and the Haagsche Courant. Other articles appeared in various publications in the United States.

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SEVEN Silent MINUTES OF WORLD PEACE (Summary introduction)

On United Nations Day (24 October) in 1984, the Peace Meditation group inaugurated “Seven Minutes of World Peace,” a simultaneous global observance of seven minutes of peaceful silence. Governments are requested to refrain from hostile action during this period.

Since its inception , more than 100 groups in over 40 countries have joined the annual observance, and letters and proclamations have been received from Heads of State and mayors of more than 40 cities. Below are some comments from individuals and organisations involved .

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” Seven Minutes of World Peace is an inspiring endeavour to unite the world in peace.”

-Dr. Helen Caldicott, President Emeritus,Physicians for Social Responsibility

Founder, Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament

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“As a peace-loving nation , Jamaica appreciates all efforts and activities aimed at promoting world peace and recognises the importance of praying for peace. I sincerely hope that the activities you are planning will help to promote the spirit of peace across the world .”

-F. A. Glasspole, Governor-General of Jamaica. West Indies

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“I hope the Seven Minutes of World Peace will grow into eternal world peace.”

-Masahiko Ideda , Director ; Office of the Mayor, Hiroshima , Japan

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” More than 1,000 schoolchildren, teachers and members of the public participated. For the first time, the state radio gave wide publicity in the Sinhala news broadcast and as a result the campaign has now received initial island-wide publicity.”

-Kumaran Fernando, Secretary-General, United Nations Association of Sri Lanka

One of Sri Lanka’s many gatherings for “Seven Minutes of World Peace.” In 1986, the United Nations Association of Sri Lanka sent 15,000 letters to institutions (including all secondary schools) announcing the event and asking for volunteer leaders.

see also:

Brief summary with examples (DOC /PDF)

2021-02-12feb-Rev–“Silence for 7 Min” Draft-Background-History-Note -Word FORMAT

2021-02-12feb-Rev–“Silence for 7 Min” Draft-Background-History-Note -PDF-FORMAT

• 1984 Seven Minutes of World Peace – Oct 24

• 1985 Seven Minutes of World Peace –  Oct 24 Brochure & sample Proclamations received

• 1986 Seven Minutes of World Peace – UN Day – Associated Press – 24 Oct: 25 countries participate

• 1988 Peace Walk for U. N. Day & 7 Minutes Silence for Peace Oct 20, 21, 24

• 1989 Peace Walk for UN Day and Seven minutes of Silence for World Peace Oct 24

• 1991 Seven Minutes of World Peace on U.N. Day, 24 Oct

• other to add from list of MUN programme lists

Photo Gallery sample

of Peace Walk and 7 min of Silence -24 Oct year date to be identified most likely 1980s, after walk or related event in Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium

Separate Gallery

includes where mention of “Seven” minutes or “7 min” in file image title:

gallery dif crop of first photo – 1984