20 September 2004

The NT Branch of the Australian Federation of University Women will tomorrow donate a collection of peace books to Charles Darwin University to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace.

“The books are being donated in the hope that there will be interest in studying peace and conflict resolution,” NT Branch Peace Officer, Ms Heather Boulden, said.

The donated books include:

• UNIFEM publication, Women, War, Peace - The Independent Experts' Assessment by Elisabeth Rehn and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, dealing with the impact of war on women and women's role in peace-building.

• 101 Poems Against War with an afterword by Andrew Motion and edited by Matthew Hollis and Paul Keegan.

• Desert Sorrow by Tom Mann about his experiences teaching asylum seekers at Woomera Detention Centre. Tom Mann received one the inaugural "A Just Australian of the Year Awards" for his contribution to building a just Australia for refugees and asylum seekers.

“The United Nations International Day of Peace held on 21 September is observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the Day,” Ms Boulden explained.

“It also commemorates and strengthens the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”

The United Nations states that for peace and non-violence to prevail, we need to foster a culture of peace through education, promote respect for all human rights, promote sustainable economic and social development and support the free flow of information and knowledge.

The AFUW is a member of the International Federation of University Women which has non-government organisation member status with United Nations. IFUW was formed in 1919 to promote peace, understanding and friendship among the women of the world and to promote the advancement of women and their equal opportunity.

Membership in AFUW is open to women who hold an undergraduate degree or its equivalent from a University. For further information access www.afuw-nt.org.au or contact 08 8981 3448