Give Peace A Chance 40th anniversary single benefits UN

A special 40th anniversary digital single of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Give Peace A Chance was released on iTunes today. The song was embraced as the theme for the anti-war moement in 1969 and has remained one of the classic songs of hope and peace known throughout the world.

Yoko Ono (shown at right with the late John Lennon in a photo by Ivor Sharp), EMI Music and Sony/ATV Music Publishing have released a special 40th anniversary version of the song on iTunes. The proceeds of sales through the end of 2009 will be donated to the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC).

Formed in 2005, the PBC is an intergovernmental advisory commission that will support peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict. The PBC includes an Organizational Committee that is made up of 31 member countries. It also includes a Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) to address immediate peacebuilding needs in countries emerging from conflict at a time when other funding mechanisms are not available.

The cover art for the single features a peace symbol and parting clouds. It is a fitting image for a song about giving world peace a chance.