Swims for the International Year of Peace

During 1986, four members of the Peace Meditation group, staff members of the United Nations Secretariat and UNICEF, undertook a number of "Swims for Peace" to draw attention to the United Nations International Year of Peace. Their first swim was on 1 January in the frigid waters off Hiroshima, Japan, and five days later they swam in Nagasaki Harbour. Encouraged by a letter of appreciation from the Office of the Secretary-General commending the "intrepid endeavors" and "admirable commitment, which you and your colleagues in the Meditation Group share for the principles of the United Nations Organization and its International Year of Peace,"

The swimmers traveled to a total of 35 sites around the globe—all at their own expense—to swim for peace. The enthusiastic response, reflected in the over 50 newspaper articles that covered the swims, inspired them to continue in 1987. A list of these swims is given below.

General Press Coverage