Kabul, Afghanistan (BBN)- The top United Nations envoy to Afghanistan has urged the entire nation to join an ambitious three-week-long peace campaign, which kicked off today when Afghan celebrities, UN staff and civil society representatives held hands at simultaneous events in cities throughout the country.

The ‘What Are You Doing for Peace in Afghanistan?’ campaign runs until International Peace Day on 21 September and features numerous initiatives by individual citizens and groups, as well as a polio immunization drive that aims to reach millions of children in some of the most insecure areas in the country.

“I call on all to take part in this campaign for peace,” Kai Eide, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement.

Since their launch in 2007, Afghanistan’s peace campaigns have become entirely apolitical annual events, which are open to any individual or organization, and serve to promote openings for reconciliation and humanitarian access, according to a news release issued by UNAMA.

Previous campaigns in 2007 and 2008 brought together thousands of Afghan groups, businesses, individuals, and international celebrities in efforts resulting in 3.4 million children vaccinated against polio.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-02September09-10:29 am (BST)