Today is the UN International Day of Peace. The UN General Assembly has declared 21 September to be a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Ideally, conflicts of all sizes around the world should be paused today, giving everyone a day of rest – and perhaps sowing a seed of trust which might grow into a more lasting peace.
Clearly, we haven't reached that ideal world yet, and it can be hard to figure out what to do to help. We've come up with three simple ideas. They may seem small, but remember: everything gets made one stitch at a time – and as we know all too well, projects won't knit themselves.
Tell them why. This year, the UN has set up a campaign called We Must Disarm, and is collecting reasons to disarm from around the world. Add your reason here.
Speak up! Visit the Amnesty International website and send a quick email to help protect human rights and demand that Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is respected: "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
Cast on. Knit a Trauma Teddy and donate it to comfort children in difficult situations.
As an example of how one tiny stitch after another can build up into something wonderful, visit the Peace Fleece site and read their story of a knitting company which is "helping historic enemies cooperate and prosper through trade".
Monday September 21, 2009 
