Season for Nonviolence-LA invites you to participate in Jam for Peace, a celebration of peace, which includes the world premiere screening of the CNN documentary, "Soldiers of Peace - A Children's Crusade", at the Agape International Center of Truth (5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City) on Friday, September 17th, at 7 pm. 

Scarred by decades of cocaine trafficking and guerrilla warfare, Colombia is one of the most violent countries in the world.  But in the midst of the carnage, a most improbable movement for peace has arisen; a movement led, not by politicians, nor by human rights groups, but by children. 

"Soldiers of Peace", a 45 minute documentary about the Colombian children's peace movement nominated for the 1999 Nobel peace prize, features five young people, several of whom have suffered tragic losses of friends and families in the war.  Instead of turning to violence, they have taken up the cause of peace.  Through their efforts, 2.7 million Colombian children, aged 7-18 years turned out to vote in a special election known as the Children's mandate for Peace and Rights, a referendum which has helped to shape the political future of Colombia. 

The film follows the young people as they travel from their homes in Colombia to the historic Hague Appeal for Peace, where they meet with Queen Noor of Jordan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and inspiring Nobel Laureates. 

The film, which provides a template for the constructive use of nonviolence, was produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Kyra Thompson, and will air on CNN's Perpectives Series on September 26th at 7:00 p.m.  The project was brought to CNN by Executive Producer Kathy Eldon, as part of her family's commitment to creating awareness of young people working as agents of social change. Her son, Dan Eldon, was 22 years old when he was stoned to death in 1993, while serving as a Reuters photojournalist in Somalia. 

On September 17th, Season for Nonviolence-LA will bring the filmmakers and the five youth featured in Soldiers of Peace, together with 600 LA area youth for the premiere screening of the film, at a unique celebration of peace and youth empowerment.  Jam for Peace will also feature celebrity guests, musicians, and will kick off SNV-LA's Campaign 2000, dedicated to empowering young people to become effective advocates and practitioners of nonviolence in their own lives and communities.  A question and answer period with five of the world's youngest Noble Laureate candidates will give LA youth an opportunity to dialogue about the power of youth who commit their lives to nonviolence. 

Join us for this evening of empowerment and celebration.  Your organization's participation is crucial to the success of this very special occasion.  We are looking for youth to contribute not only as audience members but also as performers, ushers, hosts and many other capacities.  Seating is limited, we urge you to make reservations early.  We look forward to your participation in this extraordinary event which anticipates the launch of the millenial decade which the United Nations has already pronounced the "Decade of Peace". 

free admission - for tickets: 

phone: (310) 815-0222 
fax: (310) 525-0049 
email: snvla@aol.com 

1223 Wilshire Blvd Suite 472 
Santa Monica, CA 90403 

With special thanks to our sponsors, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, the Agape International Center of Truth, and to Jerome and Kenneth Lipper Foundation and the Creative Visions Foundation for their generous support. 

Press contact at SNV-LA: Judy Ryback (323) 851-9610.