Elton John Gives Peace A Chance

The concert takes place on World Peace Day – Sept. 21 – at London’s Wembley Arena.

Additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks. One Day ambassador and actor Jude Law will also make an appearance along with Peace One Day founder and filmmaker Jeremy Gilley.

“When Jeremy and Jude came to see me and told me about Peace One Day and the Global Truce 2012 campaign I had to get involved and support them,” Elton said. “I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the 21st September at Wembley Arena!”

Founded by Gilley in 1999, the Peace One Day nonprofit was behind the UN Resolution to recognize World Peace Day (also known as the International Day of Peace) on Sept. 21, effective in 2002.

Thanks to Peace Day agreements in Afghanistan and a joint effort with Afghan health authorities, World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 4.5 million children have been immunized against polio since 2007. PeaceOneDay.org reports that in 2010 World Peace Day was observed in Kabul, Afghanistan, with over 50,000 children as well as women of child-bearing age being vaccinated against deadly diseases on including polio, meningitis, diphtheria and tetanus.

Efforts to promote peace by focusing on live-saving and humanitarian activities are paying off. In 2008, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security recorded a 70 percent reduction in violent incidents in Afghanistan on World Peace Day.     

This year Peace One Day is launching the Global Truce 2012 campaign, which the nonprofit hopes will achieve a world record for “the largest reduction of violence on one day … and the largest ever gathering of individuals in the name of peace.”

Organizers are asking supporters to sign their name at PeaceOneDay.org to pledge to observe the Global Truce on World Peace Day. To take action, the site suggests these simple steps – 1) Spread the world and get others to join the movement. 2) Plan a Peace Day activity. 3) Document and measure your Peace Day activity.

Tickets for the Peace One Day concert go on sale to the general public June 18 at WembleyArena.co.uk and SeeTickets.com. A ticket onsale for Elton’s Rocket Club members will be on sale soon through the English singer/songwriter’s website.

For more information visit EltonJohn.com and PeaceOneDay.org.