World Peace Day in 2009

Today is the United Nation’s World Peace Day – so I have to do something special to further the mission.   One of my main goals with this blog is to promote peace by learning about and appreciating other cultures.  So, my apologies for diverting my attention from Morocco, but this song means so much to me I have to play it today.

I think U2 and Bono are brilliant at mixing politics and music together.  Their latest CD is heavily Middle Eastern influenced and makes a powerful yet peace-oriented statement.  They are on a global tour promoting No Line on the Horizon and I can’t wait to see them in about 3 weeks.

This clip was recorded at the Live 8 concert held in London on July2 , 2005.  The Live 8 concert brought together 150 bands in 10 concert venues around the world.  It was estimated that 3 Billion people watched the concerts and joined the movement to help end global poverty.

The mixing of artists and cultures was incredible for Live 8.  Concerts were in:  London, Cornwall UK, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Philadelphia, Barrie Canada, Tokyo, Johannesburg, and Moscow.  On Wednesday July 6 2005, the Final Push concert took place in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Live 8 Promoters, Bob Geldof and the Band Aid Charitable Trust, began over 20 years ago working to end the famine in Ethiopia and Sudan.  Their mission continues today as they bring together people and music around the world – still fighting global poverty.

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Woodstock concert held in New York in 1969.   As I watched the media surrounding the historical event, I can’t help but smile at how far we’ve come.  In 1969, the Vietnam War was a huge controversy of unclear objectives and unknown conclusions.  Popular culture was changing with the “hippies” and music from new artists such as Jimmy Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and Bob Dylan.  Woodstock brought over 500,000 people together for 3 days of music, love and peace.

Tonight I’m listening to music from Woodstock, Band Aid and Live Aid.   Mixing music and politics for the betterment of society is a really good idea.  I hope you enjoy my favorite song  “One” and think about how you can promote peace in your life.  Maybe listen to Bob Marley’s “One Love”, that’s another favorite of mine!    Peace, Joy