Weblog

This month my picture is on the cover of Onze Wereld, the Dutch development experts magazine ('for engaged world citizens'). Of course I am proud and it's good publicity for MasterPeace.

It is just that… it's a pity for me that the cover also announces a campaign for Sudan on behalf of Libresse, a sanitary napkins brand. No, that's not sexy at all. Then again, somebody on Facebook reminded me about their slogan: “Libresse gives you wings” ...and that's what I definitely need this week. 

 

I am now in Amsterdam for ten days chock-a-block with meetings and parties (such as my father’s 89th birthday - without DJ’s I presume…) I will have to run, or fly, rather, and leave you with the latest news on some great progress we have made lately: 

- The small Peace Day seminar we aimed for in Cairo might well turn out to become the biggest Peace Day event of the Middle East. It is to take place on 17 September, attended by thousands of visitors, top actors and DJs, CEOs of Egyptian and Dutch companies, the Dutch Ambassador to Egypt, several peace-building NGOs presenting themselves and smooth 'inner peace' activities, too. Of course I will be there to support the Head Quarters team during this great first achievement. For more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140863452617586&ref=ts

- The Ministry of Sports (Egypt), the biggest and most prestigious business club of Egypt (GSC) and the Dutch Embassy are actively supporting the start-up of MasterPeace HQ and this Peace Day event;

- Nine (nine!) female Members of Dutch Parliament, from liberal to conservative, will be supporting our PR initiative in The Hague on Peace Day, 21 September. Eight international top designers created wonderful 'MasterPeace hats' especially for them for them. The MP's will wear these in attendance of the Dutch Queen during her annual Speech from the Throne on that day.  Due to the embargo I cannot tell you much more, but more news is to follow. In any case, we will reach millions of people, that's for sure; 

- The contract with Founding Partner IKV Pax Christi/Pax Christi International is ready to be signed, so we will become partners for 5 years, for international cooperation. Much more about this later too;

- In the night before Peace Day we will support our partner Pax-it with their 2nd 'Nacht voor de Vrede' (Peace Night), that is launched as 'inspired by MasterPeace'. If you live in The Netherlands, please come to Studio K in Amsterdam and join in! Please see www.nachtvandevrede.nl (in Dutch only. Sorry);

- In September we will have meetings with the following organizations interested to discuss possible cooperation: Dutch Youth Council, U-Peace, UNOY for young peacebuilders, Heineken (global director activations), ID&T (Holland's biggest dance event company), City of Utrecht, the Dutch youth Ambassador at the UN, Nigeria Delta Campaign and VoiceOver 2015 (connecting me LIVE, on 20 September, with youths out of 14 conflict areas; future advisors for us on the ground)

- Thanks to the HQ team in Egypt a brand new interim website will be launched at the end of this week, so please try www.masterpeace.org this weekend; 

- our Dutch team member Shrinath van Praag is the proud father of a second son: JAYFIE. And yes, I will see the little one this week. Hope we can create a more peaceful world for him.