On the eve of the London 2012 Games, UNA-UK Chairman Sir Jeremy Greenstock wrote to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, outlining the Association's strong support for the ideals of the Olympic Truce.
Sir Jeremy said: "The Olympic Truce offers genuine opportunities for the promotion of peace and I am sure that the Foreign & Commonwealth Office will be working to use these opportunities to promote dialogue on current conflict situations. In addition to short-term initiatives, we hope that the UK will be able to create a true legacy for the Truce by looking for ways to support further the UN's conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding work."
Enclosed with the letter were messages of support for the Truce from Ambassadors and High Commissioners in London. The letters are part of a UNA Westminster branch initiative which hopes to compile all messages received into a booklet for deposit in the Central Hall Westminster UN archive.
UNA Westminster, one of the most active UNA branches on the Truce, also took part in a bell-ringing event on 27 July 2012 organised by the London Peace Network. Over 150 people participated, listening to an address by Wilfried Lemke, the UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, and ringing bicycle bells, alarm clocks and egg timers on Millennium Bridge in support of the Millennium Development Goals and the Truce. The event was part of Martin Creed’s Work No 1197, All The Bells.
Click here to read Sir Jeremy's letter to the Foreign Secretary
Click here to read the messages of support received to date from Ambassadors and High Commissioners
