UN rings call for more peace

JAKARTA: The ringing of the 50-year-old Peace Bell marked the International Day of Peace on Tuesday, sending a powerful message of peace around the world, the United Nations said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post by the UN Information Center in Jakarta.

The ringing of the bell also served as a reminder of the challenges facing mankind in this century, including efforts to strengthen collective security, build greater international solidarity in tackling humanitarian emergencies such as what is currently happening in Darfur, forge global partnerships for development and promote greater tolerance and understanding among the peoples of the world.

"Today, let the sound of this bell inspire us in our work toward those goals. Let the call of the bell ring loud, clear and true around the world," the statement said.

The bell was presented to the United Nations by the UN Association of Japan in 1954. It is cast from coins collected by children in 60 countries. -- JP