Forest Whitaker Launches PeaceEarth To Establish Peace-Building Initiatives In Conflict Areas

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Forest Whitaker, Oscar-winning actor, humanist and Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced today the PeaceEarth Foundation, an international nonprofit organization with the mission to empower and inspire youth, women, and global citizens to promote peace everywhere.

Giving homage to the 10^th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, Whitaker's announcement represents a significant commitment that PeaceEarth makes towards helping societies affected by destructive conflict and gang violence to transform into safer and more productive communities through grassroots initiatives. In partnership with UNESCO, the International Institute for Peace, The Make Good Group, OgilvyEntertainment, Bright Future International, and Ericsson, PeaceEarth will serve as a vehicle for an array of programs, initiatives and campaigns in the United States and around the world.   

"As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, the launch of the PeaceEarth Foundation is our opportunity to use our modern-day resources to truly connect with one another to promote peace throughout the world," said Forest Whitaker. "I'm driven by the hope that together, we can build peace from within the hearts and minds of people everywhere for a more peaceful world."

Currently, 1.5 billion people live in countries affected by violent conflict, and more than 8 million children have been killed or disabled through violent conflict. Working in partnership with local and regional experts, civil society and multilateral organizations, governments and businesses, PeaceEarth will work to promote peaceful conflict resolution through youth empowerment, access to knowledge, capacity-building and cultural diversity. The work of the Foundation is also instrumental to further the mission of Whitaker as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, and co-founder of the International Institute for Peace. 

Today, the PeaceEarth website is live. A dynamic digital platform that gives people the power to learn, engage and act. It is a global social movement that connects and fosters dialogue among communities, practitioners and scholars, inspiring change and giving people key information about conflict zones, best practices in peace-building, and solutions.

Whitaker is in New York to participate in a diverse range of events on the International Day of Peace.  In his role as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, he will notably join the United Nations Secretary General to ring the Peace Bell at the United Nations Headquarters and later address 500 students including young people from UN Peacekeeping Missions connecting from South Sudan and Liberia. He will also participate in a UNESCO debate on the culture of peace and speak at the Social Good Summit on how to leverage technology for humanitarian efforts. More information about the PeaceEarth Foundation can be found at: www.PeaceEarth.org.

About Forest Whitaker:
Award winning artist, Humanist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Forest Whitaker has dedicated most of his time to extensive humanitarian work. In 2011, he was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation for his personal dedication and work in the field of conflict resolution and his commitment to promote humanitarian ideals. He founded the Los Angeles based PeaceEarth Foundation in 2012, and in partnership with Rutgers University, he co-founded of the International Institute for Peace under the auspices of UNESCO. In 2007 he received the Cinema for Peace Award for his selfless and ongoing advocacy for child soldiers, as well as his work with inner-city youth. He was also awarded the Humanitas Prize in 2001. Currently, he serves as a spokesperson for the Ugandan child soldier orphanage Hope North, and is a board member of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH). For more information, join the conversation @ForestWhitaker.

About PeaceEarth Foundation: 
The PeaceEarth Foundation is dedicated to peace-building and community empowerment in areas of conflict everywhere. Founded in 2012 by Academy Award winning actor Forest Whitaker, the PeaceEarth Foundation works to engage, empower and inspire youth, women, and global citizens to promote peace across the planet. Through on-the-ground programs in Africa and the United States, the PeaceEarth Foundation helps societies affected by conflicts and violence transform into safe and productive communities. For more information, go to www.PeaceEarth.org  and join the conversation on Twitter @ForestWhitaker.

SOURCE PeaceEarth Foundation