Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - In a moving and dramatic display of national pride and unity, the citizens of Mongolia made a clear commitment to peace and prosperity at the Global Peace Festival in Ulaanbaatar. Just a few short weeks after disputed elections threatened to bring this historic Asian nation to the brink of civil war, Sukhbaatar Square was once again filled with a huge crowd. This time, they sang and danced for peace.

The Festival marked the culmination of several days of activities including a city-wide service effort, a youth arts competition, speaking, dancing and song contests and an International Leadership Conference.

On September 7, 2008, thousands of pupils and students picked up garbage along the main street of Ulaanbaatar, in the central square in front of Government House, and along the banks of the river flowing through the middle of the capital city. People driving throughout the city noticed young people wearing jacket with the words Global Peace Festival of Mongolia 2008 in many corners of the city.

Mongolia - In the State of the World’s Children Report 2008, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) noted that Mongolia has made great strides in reducing infant mortality. This is good progress towards the UN Millennium Development Goal of reducing the rate by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015. The current under-five mortality rate per 1,000 live births is 43, which was 109 in 1990.

A “Day of Mothers and Children” in Ulaanbaatar was launched with an August 23 rally featuring a speech by Mongolian pop singer Timur Ariuna, who was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2001.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Two hundred volunteers with the Global Peace Festival-Mongolia promoted public safety and a clean environment July 11 and 12 in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, during the Naadam Festival, Mongolia’s Independence Day and main holiday celebration.

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Global Peace Festival-Mongolia organizers are sponsoring service days once a month to contribute to the development and prosperity of the country, stimulate people to work for the public good, keep the environment clean, and help young people experience the joy of offering selfless service. The setting fit the purpose of the "service party day" in Ulaanbaatar, since the Gandan Monastery’s Tibetan name, Gandantegchinlen, means "Great Place of Complete Joy.”