AT THE UNITED NATIONS
Representing the World Peace Prayer Society
Deborah Moldow recently retired as the Representative to the United Nations of the World Peace Prayer Society (now known as May Peace Prevail on Earth International), a position she had held 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 also served as Vice President of the Committee or Religious NGOs. She served for many years as a Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee and as founder/facilitator of the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN (URI-UN).
A highlight of her UN career was her work with the Office of the President of the General Assembly and members of the NGO community to produce a ground-breaking event in the UN General Assembly marking World Interfaith Harmony Week in February 2012, and a second grand event in the General Assembly in 2013 called "United for a Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony."
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 also served as Vice President of the Committee or Religious NGOs. She served for many years as a Co-Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee and as founder/facilitator of the United Religions Initiative cooperation circle at the UN (URI-UN).
A highlight of her UN career was her work with the Office of the President of the General Assembly and members of the NGO community to produce a ground-breaking event in the UN General Assembly marking World Interfaith Harmony Week in February 2012, and a second grand event in the General Assembly in 2013 called "United for a Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony."
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 helped 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 led 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 chronicled 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 led 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 chronicled 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.
World Interfaith Harmony Week
Deborah worked with Monica Willard of the United Religions Initiative to produce two events celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week in the UN General Assembly Hall, in 2012 and 2013. Each event featured representatives of many religious traditions - in 2012 with a unique tree-watering ceremony that Deborah co-led and in 2013 event with an interfaith Symphony of Peace Prayers followed by a World Peace Flag Ceremony.
Deborah and Monica also observed World Interfaith Harmony Week at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2018, at a gathering organized by Unity Earth in cooperation with the United Religions Initiative.
Deborah and Monica also observed World Interfaith Harmony Week at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2018, at a gathering organized by Unity Earth in cooperation with the United Religions Initiative.