One Goal... One Day

Sunday September 21 marks what is arguably the most important date in the Global calendar - the UN’s Annual Day of Peace, of worldwide ceasefire and non violence.

Last year 100 million people in 192 member countries participated, allowing a day for life saving initiatives, such as mass child vaccinations, to happen.

As peace builders, Cord is committed to this year’s One Day, One Goal campaign, which invites individuals, communities and nations to rise above violence, conflict and differences, and to celebrate a shared passion – football.

A special Peace One Day football match, between two teams of 14-16year old schoolgirls, is being held in Giharo Commune, Burundi, where Cord is working with thousands of refugees returning from years in exile in Tanzania.

The teams are from two elementary schools, Butezi 1 and Butezi 2 - the match adds Burundi to the list of UN member countries supporting cooperation and unity through the power of football on this special day.

Games will be played worldwide in major stadiums, local pitches and rough sand. For the girls of Rutana province the Cord match is a very special social occasion. Football in Burundi was severely hampered by the long civil war; this is a chance to celebrate the country’s progress in its return to peace, and to a semblance of normality.

Cord plan to spend the next four years supporting the returning refugees across the region, to enable them to reduce their poverty, and to harness their chances of a peaceable future after years of disruption and suffering.  Your support for our work, through prayer and donations, remains vital.

The impact of millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.

Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time.

To sign up to Peace One Day and make your own Peace Pledge visit: www.peaceoneday.org.