Dhammakaya Foundation's Role in Promoting Peace : หน้า 67/91

United Nations: Non Governmental Organizations Since August 1986 the Dhammakaya Foundation has become the United Nations - accredited Non-Governmental Organisation associated with the Department of Public Information (DPI) and has since that date sent delegates to the Annual DPI/NGO Conference of the United Nations. In February 1999 the Dhammakaya Foundation has been participating in the Millennium People's Assembly Network called for by the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan. On Earth day 22 April 1999 the Dhammakaya Foundation supported the promotion of 2000 International Year for the Culture of Peace which is proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations. A hundred thousand Buddhist monks and novices have participated the ethic contest organised for support the culture of peace educational programme. On the same occasion, thousands of temple followers have signed the Commitment for Culture of Peace. The Commitment is drafted by a group of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates which UNESCO is the focal point, and - in response to an appeal signed by all the Nobel Peace Laureates - the first decade of the next millennium - the years 2001-2010 - as the 'International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World'. The Dhammakaya Foundation has also demonstrated an co-operative participation in the seventy-two hours Internet Peace Building Project of the United Religions Initiative in order to play an important role as a living pledge to a new and more hopeful future for all people. The programme will be held on from 31 December 1999 to 2 January 2000. Hundred thousand of people will participate in meditation and illuminate the Light of Peace of the Millennium. During May 11-15, 1999, the Dhammakaya Foundation has sent 13 representatives to participate the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference, which is the largest international peace conference in history. Over 9,000 activists, government representatives and community leaders from over 100 countries attended the conference workshops and round tables mechanisms for abolishing war and creating a culture of peace in the 21st century. The Dhammakaya Foundation also organized 3 sessions of Global Meetings on Meditation to provide interested participants in seeking the real peace from within.