All posts by CPNN Coordinator

About CPNN Coordinator

Dr David Adams is the coordinator of the Culture of Peace News Network. He retired in 2001 from UNESCO where he was the Director of the Unit for the International Year for the Culture of Peace, proclaimed for the Year 2000 by the United Nations General Assembly.

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Now displaying CPNN news in English during 2018.
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Young people from DRC and Rwanda demonstrate in Goma for peace in the sub-region

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Justin Kabumba from L’Interview

Several hundred young people from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo marched on the streets this Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Goma capital of the province of North Kivu to support peace in the Great Lakes region.


LINTERVIEW.CD/Photo Justin Kabumba

Under the theme “Our Diversity, Our Opportunity” these sons and daughters came from the two neighboring countries, all dressed in white and blue. They came together to preach peace in the Great Lakes region and to challenge the leaders of the two countries that young people are ready to work for peace.

(continued in right column)

Click here for the version in French)

Question(s) related to this article:

Can you add to this analysis of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

(continued from left column)

“For a long time victims of wars, we take the option of celebrating peace. We are able to preach the culture of peace, because we believe that peace is built, that’s why we mobilize young people to say that we are ready for peace and we support peace,” said Guy Kibira, Provincial President of the youth of North Kivu.

These young people say they are hoping for the return of total peace to the DRC with the new regime.
“The new regime inspires confidence, that’s why we are here, so that they understand that we aspire to peace, we want to live in peace and in this peace that we will have partners who will invest in our region,” he adds.

A young person from Rwanda has the same reaction. He says he is satisfied with the initiative, which according to him would perpetuate the peace between these two countries.

“I came to the market with my Congolese brothers to show that we are the same, and that there are no problems between Rwanda and the DRC. We must live in a good peaceful cohabitation,” said a young man from Rwanda.

This march is part of the regional program “Transboundary Dialogue for Peace in the Great Lakes Region.”

These young people with a sign of satisfaction gathered at the Muningi roundabout in Nyiragongo territory where they started their walk before going to the stadium of ISC Goma where several exchanges of experiences were made to launch a strong message to the Congolese and Rwandan authorities that young people are ready for peace in harmony in the Great Lakes region and that the leaders must follow the deep aspirations of the youth of the North Kivu province in the DRC and that of Rubavu district in Rwanda.

Spain: Toledo hosts the II International Forum Toledo Culture of Peace in October

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article from El Dia Digital

The regional capital will host the Second Toledo Culture of Peace Forum on October 16, 17 and 18, a space to reflect and jointly build local proposals to contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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(Click here for the Spanish original of this article)

Questions for this article:

How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?

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“Citizens of Toledo will highlight their commitments to contribute to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable world, moving from reflection to action. In addition, experts and activists will discuss and exchange experiences that promote the necessary transformations to address the social and environmental challenges marked in the 2030 Agenda,” the NGO Coordinator reported in a statement.

The new development model considers cities as a basic element for promoting the necessary actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, during three days in which the Forum will take place, it will emphasize the need for a municipal and citizen commitment that drives profound changes in ways of life and the model of society to achieve a more just, sustainable and inclusive world.

“The Toledo Manifesto for a Culture of Peace and the Sustainable Development Goals will shape this commitment, around which a great citizen alliance will be formed that constitutes a turning point in the location of the 2030 Agenda”, the Coordinator highlighted.

Venezuela: President Maduro Meets with the Activists of Peace Boat

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from Ultimas Noticias

The President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, held a meeting with activists from the Peace Boat, which arrived this Thursday (October 3) at the Port of La Guaira.

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(Click here for the original Spanish version of this article)

Question related to this article:

Peace Boat: Building a Culture of Peace around the World

(Continued from left column)

The activity that took place in the Office No. 1 of the Miraflores Palace, located in Caracas, and was attended by the director of the Cruise, Yoshida Marin, and the international director of the Peace Boat, Nohira Shinsaku.

The boat, which is celebrating its seventeenth visit to Venezuela, arrived with a crew of 1,200 people, who will participate in exchange programs in health, culture, sport and economy.

Peace Boat is a non-governmental organization, headquartered in Japan, aimed at promoting peace through international exchange.

The fundamental purpose in the construction of a network of citizen action that fosters the installation of a culture of peace.

Brazil: Rio Branco City Hall starts Culture of Peace Festival this Friday

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article from AC Jornal

The Rio Branco City Hall, through the Garibaldi Brazil Culture, Sport and Leisure Foundation (FGB), starts the Culture of Peace Festival this Friday, 4, at 19h, at the Lydia Hammes Cultural Center. The project, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Citizenship and supported by parliamentary amendment of former Federal Representative Angelim, will bring 10 artistic occupations to two spaces of the city: Centro Cultural Lydia Hammes (Bairro Velho Velho) and Cacimbão da Capoeira (Centro).

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(Click here for a Portuguese version of this article)

Questions for this article:

Can festivals help create peace at the community level?

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The activities will be held in October and November 2019. The first event will have the theme “Black Empowerment”, and will feature presentations by Samba Girls, Capoeira Senzala, and slam with May Dourado and Matheus MB. Admission is free.

Four other themes will be brought to Lydia Hammes on October 11, 18 and 25 and November 1. They are: Youth, Forest Peoples, Women’s Empowerment and LGBTQI + Rights. The same themes will be addressed at Cacimbão da Capoeira, on November 3, 10, 17 and 24 and December 1.

“This project aims to fill our city with art and culture that address important themes of affirmative politics. We are very pleased to see projects like this, as it is proof that Mayor Socorro Neri cares about what is essential: our humanity,” says FGB President Sérgio de Carvalho.

English bulletin October 1, 2019

. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE .

In our survey this year we found 655 actions for the International Day of Peace that took place throughout the world. It is more or less the same number as last year, although we counted them in a different way this year.

The theme this year, decided by the United Nations, was climate action for peace. In this way the theme of peace was linked to the enormous mobilizations against climate change that took place this month throughout the world.

The greatest number of actions for the International Day of Peace, 280, took place in the United States and Canada, thanks to the remarkable mobilization by Campaign Nonviolence. To quote from their website:, “For three decades, Pace e Bene has been leading nonviolence trainings, publishing books on nonviolence, and taking action for nonviolent change. In the spirit of St. Francis, Gandhi, Dorothy Day and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we have persistently invited people everywhere to walk the path of nonviolence. Now Campaign Nonviolence is taking this work further . . the annual Campaign Nonviolence National Week of Action, where every September we mobilize across the country and around the world for a culture of peace, economic equality, racial justice and environmental healing.”

There was also a very broad mobilization this year in France, thanks to the efforts of Mouvement de la Paix which was responsible for half of the 144 actions in Europe. To quote from their website, as translated by CPNN, “The Mouvement de la Paix acts for the disarmament, in particular nuclear, but also against the production and the transfers of armaments, for the reduction of the military budgets. Made up of close to 150 committees spread all over France and forming links with international peace organizations, the Mouvement de la Paix intends to propose initiatives around the 8 constituent points of the international decade (UN – UNESCO) of the promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence:
1. Strengthening a culture of peace through education,
2. Promoting sustainable economic and social development,
3. Promoting respect for all human rights,
4. Measures to ensure equality between women and men,
5. Measures to promote participation in democratic life,
6. Measures to develop understanding, tolerance and solidarity,
7. Measures to support participatory communication and the free flow of information and knowledge,
8. Measures to promote international peace and security.”

In the rest of the world, unlike North America and Europe, people are suffering from wars and armed conflicts, and that is where we find the most remarkable mobilizations for the International Day of Peace.

In Latin America, there were actions in Colombia in order to strengthen the peace agreement that put an end to decades of war and suffering. Especially remarkable was the fashion show in Bogota by former FARC guerillas who have turned from the gun to the sewing machine and who paraded on the catwalk with placards calling for implementation of the peace agreement.In Medellin it was a local bar that took the lead for for workshops and sporting events to support the agreement. In Tumaco it was a theatrical play and in Valleduopar a photo exhibition.

In the Ex-Soviet countries, the majority of the 54 actions took place across the two sides of the armed coflict in the Ukraine. There were poignant cries from both sides by mothers and children calling for an end to the violence and separation. Let us hope that their cries are heard and lead to peace!. In the East at Rovenka, “To the sound of the “Bells of Peace” the children stood in a circle and joined hands. . .  Together, they made a wish that the war would end in the Donbass.” “In Avdeevka, which has repeatedly come under fire, where they still hear gunshots and heal wounds (there are still a lot of houses destroyed and damaged by shelling), there is a special relationship to World Peace Day. It was expressed yesterday by students of school No. 7. . . who made paper doves, wrote what they would do for peace and and also arranged a dance flash mob on the street.” In the West in Kvasilovsky, “All those present had tears in their eyes as they watched the children . . . reach out to us adults: “I want peace! I don’t want to hear the word “war”! “..

In Africa 9 of the 53 actions took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which continues to suffer from decades of local wars. In Beni “While peace is celebrated in other countries of the world, here we celebrate assassinations, massacres, looting.” In Kananga “Since we are in the citizen movement fighting for change during or after the atrocities of kamwina nsapu we never stop to launch the message of peace, carry out awareness campaigns, participate in various broadcasts of radio stations to call the people who had the weapons in their hands to lay them down and make peace.” And in Sud Kivu “The International Day of Peace is celebrated while a climate of insecurity is maintained by the presence of armed groups that sow terror and desolation in South Kivu and throughout the eastern part of the DRC.”

As for the Arab states and the Middle East, in the face of a terrible ongoing war in their country, the International Day of Peace was celebrated in three cities of Yemen: Aden, Hadramaout and Taiz. In the latter young art students produced drawings with “writings expressing peace, coexistence, brotherhood, tolerance, expressions calling for dialogue and tolerance among all sects, parties and groups, giving priority to the interest of the nation, renouncing sectarianism and violence, and calling on all to work together for lasting peace . . .to deliver a message that Taiz, despite its siege and war, is still a city that loves life, art and beauty and is still a city of love, coexistence and peace.” Other actions were carried out to celebrate the recent peace accords in Sudan and to consolidate peace in Syria.

In Asia and the Pacific, the Day was not dedicated to the resolution of conlicts and tensions such as those in Afghanistan, Kashmir, Myanmar and Korea, but in China the massacre of Nanjing, which took place durig the Japanese invasion of 1937 continues to be commemorated, this year by a concert of peace songs by the choir “Zi Jincao.”

To conclude, we have emphasized here the aspects of the International Day of Peace that contribute to the consciousness needed for an eventual transition from the culture of war to a culture of peace.

      

GLOBAL



What has happened this year: International Day of Peace

UNITED STATES AND CANADA



United States and Canada: International Day of Peace

EUROPE




Europe: International Day of Peace

ASIA AND PACIFIC



Asia and Pacific: International Day of Peace

EX-SOVIET COUNTRIES



Ex-Soviet countries: International Day of Peace

ARAB STATES AND MIDDLE EAST



Arab and Middle Eastern States: International Day of Peace

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN


Latin America: International Day of Peace

AFRICA



Africa: International Day of Peace

What has happened this year (2019) for the International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION
This year we give links to 280 actions carried out in most of the provinces and all the states in Canada and the USA. Next is Europe with 144 actions in 21 countries. There are 50 actions cited in 16 Asian countries, 53 from 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries, 54 from 6 countries formerly part of the Soviet Union, 53 from 27 African countries, and 21 from 14 Arab and Middle Eastern countries. See the CPNN bulletin for October for a synopsis.

Detailed data may be found on the following CPNN articles:

United States and Canada: International Day of Peace

Europe: International Day of Peace

Asia and Pacific: International Day of Peace

Ex-Soviet Countries: International Day of Peace

Arab and Middle Eastern States: International Day of Peace

Latin America and Caribbean: International Day of Peace

Africa: International Day of Peace

United States and Canada: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

Here are 269 actions for the International Day of Peace located in all the United States as well as 11 actions in Canada in six provinces. In order to save space, one is described in detail for each state and province and internet links are provided for the others.
The actions were listed in Google during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International Day of Peace” and “Journée Internationale de la Paix” or were listed on the following websites:
Campaign Nonviolence
International Cities of Peace Facebook
Event map for the International Day of Peace.

In addition to the above, there were several hundred singing events listed on the websites of One Day One Choir and Montessori schools singing for peace, but it was not possible to distinguish events from 2019 from events in previous years.


Many celebrations took up the official United Nations theme for the day, Climate Action for Peace.
Here are excerpts from the articles.

*** CANADA ***

ALBERTA

CALGARY : Ahead of Saturday’s UN International Day of Peace, the John de Chastelain Peace Studies Initiative at Mount Royal University announced the recipient of the 2020 Calgary Peace Prize. Stephanie Nolen is a veteran foreign correspondent who has reported from more than 80 countries around the world. She is a seven-time winner of the National Newspaper Award and a six-time winner of the Amnesty International Media Award for her coverage. She is the author of 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa, which won the PEN Courage Prize, and Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race. She served as bureau chief for the Globe and Mail in South Asia, Africa and Latin America.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

SUMMERLAND : A community event to celebrate and share the importance of PEACE we will have a performance, art installation, music, and moments of meditation.

KASLO

MANITOBA

WINNIPEG : The Rotary Club of Winnipeg Peace Builder Committee and Rotary 5550 World Peace Partners is celebrating 10 years of waging peace by inspiring, facilitating and nurturing positive peace, goodwill, and understanding with no sign of slowing down. As in years past, the Peace Days Festival has brought together a number of committed Venue Participants who are doing their part to raise awareness and making a commitment to act all in the name of promoting positive peace. This year’s Peace Days Festival will start with a multi-faith Meditation for Peace event that will guide participants through a moment of meditation and unity dedicated to the promotion of peace and the creation of a non-violent society hosted by Bishop emeritus Noel Delaquis. . . Events throughout the city will continue to create the momentum needed to ensure everyone can experience peace regardless of who they are and where they come from. Through the Winnipeg Connector Partnership and the engagement of newcomers in peace, the Peace Days Festival and Peace Days 365 will help us achieve an equitable, accepting and just society, nation and world. The Peace Days Festival is about:“Bringing people from all nations together to create a culture of Peace and building self-confidence for equal opportunity, justice and PEACE.

NEW BRUNSWICK

MONCTON : Join us at the RCMP Memorial at Riverfront Park to walk downtown in support of Peace in our community. This event is FREE and open to rotarians and non-rotarians including kids and pets. We ask Rotarians to proudly wear the Rotary Logo and all others to please wear something that represents peace to you. Did you know that Rotary helped write the charter for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Saturday September 21st is International Peace Day and so we will walk in support of continued peace education and initiative

ONTARIO

MISSISSAUGA : On the International Day of Peace and also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Peace Stone here in Richard’s Memorial Park and the 40th anniversary of the mundialization of the City of Mississauga, the 2019 World Citizenship in Action Award will be presented to the founder of Peace Magazine, Science for Peace and Project Save the World, Metta Spencer, and messages of peace and inspiring music will be shared by The Rev Elvis, Angela Turone, Christina Melanie, Kinder Kids International Preschool, the Raging Grannies and others. Please join Mayor Bonnie Crombie and Registrar of World Citizens in Canada, Dorothea Sheasby as we also raise the Earth Flag beside the Peace Stone for the first time.

BROCKVILLE
CAMBRIDGE
OTTAWA, ON
TORONTO

QUEBEC

SAINT-LAURENT : The traditional ceremony for the International Day of Peace was held in Saint-Laurent on September 19 at Parc Beaudet, also called the “Parc de la Paix”, with the participation about fifty students from Émile-Legault High School and the International School of Learners. The audience was also made up of some 20 key players in the borough, including Mayor Alan DeSousa and Council members. Organized in partnership with the Committee of Social Organizations of Saint-Laurent and the Baha’i community of Montreal, the event was placed under the theme of climate action, decreed by the United Nations. At the end of this ceremony where the testimonies followed each other, each participant made the commitment to take concrete action to fight against climate change.

*** UNITED STATES ***

ALASKA

HOMER : We Rotary celebrated the International Day of Peace

ALABAMA

SELMA : 20 Million Women Strong is leading a Lift Every Voice March highlighting the International Day of Peace with a focus on the Earth, Women, Children and Families. We will gather at noon and March across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma at 1pm on September 21st.

BIRMINGHAM
HUNTSVILLE
SCOTTSBORO

ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCK : Peace Week was celebrated in Little Rock.

ARIZONA

TUCSON : Jam2Grow and the Drum-Up for Peace project are organizing a Drum Festival on International Day of Peace 2019. Please Join us to feel the drum rhythms with a dedicated group of percussionists and peace lovers. All skills level are welcome to join us. Children allowed to participate with their family.

CALIFORNIA

RIVERSIDE : Taking action on climate change will be the theme of a celebration of the International Day of Peace to be held at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, on the Ben Franklin stage near Riverside City Hall, 3900 Main St.
The Inland Communities Fellowship of Reconciliation has organized the free event, which will feature the Riverside Resistance Revival Chorus and speakers Benny Nielsen and Mohammad Hoda, who are connecting climate to unrest in the world, according to a press release.
Students from Norte Vista High School will participate, and Margie Akin, a member of the Inland Communities Fellowship of Reconciliation, will also speak at the event.
“We wanted to acknowledge how connected climate is to peace,” said Marilyn Sequoia, one of the organizers, in the press release. “Drought can create a shortage of food, sparking mass migrations and wars between people. So solving the climate crisis is quite connected to peace.”
A coalition of other organizations will be part of the annual event, including Glocally Connected, Brady United, the Riverside Interfaith Council, 350 Riverside, the Sahaba Initiative and California Interfaith Power and Light.

ANAHEIM
BAKERSFIELD
BERKELEYCAMERON PARK CASTRO VALLEY
CERRITOS
CHICO
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
ENCINITAS – Hands of Peace
ENCINITAS, CA – Jubilee
EUREKA
FRESNO
HUNTINGTON BEACH
LONG BEACH
LOS ANGELES – Pax Christi
LOS ANGELES – Dance for Peace
MORRO BAY
NAPA
NELSON
OAKLAND – Ogawa Plaza
OAKLAND – Asian Center
OJAI
ORANGE
PALO ALTO
REDONDO BEACH
SAN DIEGO – Franciscan Peace Connection
SAN DIEGO – Peace Resource Center
SAN DIEGO – Pax Christi
SAN FRANCISCO- Mindful Littles
SAN FRANCISCO – Balboa Avenue
SAN JOSE
SAN RAFAEL – Mill Valley Seniors
SAN RAFAEL – concert by Indie B
SANTA MONICA
SANTA CRUZ
SEASIDE
SEBASTOPOL
SUNNYVALE
TORRANCE
WHITTIER

COLORADO

EVERGREEN : The 2019 theme draws attention to the importance of combating climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world. We will circle the labyrinth, share thoughts of and music about peace, and observe five minutes of silence. Bring a flashlight and dress warmly. Camp chairs and finger food snacks are welcome

DENVER
LONGMONT

CONNECTICUT

MILFORD : Milford Speaks Out (MSO), in partnership with the Milford Public Library, will host a World Peace Day event on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 at 2 pm at Lisman Landing, 37 Helwig Street in Milford. This day is observed by nations across the world for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. Milford will join in this world-wide event by re-dedicating a peace pole that was donated to the city a number of years ago by the Montessori School.

AMSTON
HARTFORD
NEW HAVEN
NORWICH

DELEWARE

WILMINGTON : On Sept. 21, International Peace Day, join us at AIDS Walk Delaware. Walk at Dravo Plaza, Riverfront Wilmington. Register a team or start your own page to raise funds for statewide HIV/AIDS services. Channel your ‘peace qi’ to advance HIV awareness, reduce stigma, and endorse HIV-informed community health for all Delawareans.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON : Hostelling International (HI) USA will host its 9th Annual DC Peace Conference on September 21 from 10:30 am to 2 pm at Friends Meeting of Washington DC. A celebration of UN International Peace Day and HI USA Sleep for Peace Campaign, the event aims to raise awareness about food insecurity in DC and to inspire attendees to be part of the solution. Our highly knowledgeable speakers will lead panel discussions and Q&A sessions about these topics: food apartheid, short-term and long-term solutions to food insecurity, food system changes in DC, food justice advocacy, and urban farming.

WASHINGTON – Alliance for Peacebuilding
WASHINGTON – Rally at Capitol
WASHINGTON – Unity Walk
WASHINGTON – White House vigil

FLORIDA

BRADENTON : The Louise R. Johnson K-8 School of International Studies is taking part in their first Peace Day celebration Friday, ahead of the International Day of Peace observed worldwide on September 21st. Students and staff started out the morning in the courtyard singing and reading student written essays. “Peace day for me resembles a world of peace where everyone can live happy and together,” said Yeriel Rodriguez who is in eighth grade. The students have recently been studying peace in the classroom. “It’s about spreading that peace and joy throughout our school and if we can get it through our school, then that leads out to our community so it’s about bringing that peace and joy,” said Principal Anthony Losada.

CORAL SPRINGS
DANIA
FORT MYERS, FL – billboard
FORT MYERS, FL – school
KEY BISCAYNE
OCALA
ORLANDO – film festival
ORLANDO – global peace week
PENNEY FARMS
SARASOTA – Mindful Choice
SARASOTA – Peace Center
SARASOTA – CSLCC
ST. AUGUSTINE
TAMPA
WINTER PARK

GEORGIA

ATLANTA : AMIS’s 42nd Annual International Student and Scholar Welcome Concert and Reception will be held from 2-4pm on the International Day of Peace, Saturday, September 21, 2019 at Spelman College. Performance by the Morehouse Glee Club with a reception to follow. This annual event welcomes all international college/graduate students and scholars in the greater Atlanta area and introduces them to AMIS (Atlanta Ministry with International Students) programs and events for the year. AMIS is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote cultural understanding through friendship and hospitality with international students.

ATLANTA – concert
CARROLLTON
DECATUR
NEWNAN
SANDY SPRINGS

HAWAII

KAUAI : The man with the flowing white beard and big smile was one of about 100 people at the International Day of Peace rally put on by the Interfaith Roundtable of Kauai at Lydgate Park. It included song, poetry and dance as people united to express their hopes for a world without war, without hate, without prejudice.

HONOLULU

IDAHO

BOISE : Glocal Partners and the Idaho Peace Coaltion are planning events in Boise for the Campaign Nonviolence 2019,

ILLINOIS

CHICAGO : Join us for the 41st Anniversary Celebration of Peace Day in Chicago, taking place in Daley Plaza Monday September 23rd noon-1pm, free public event.

BARTLETT
CHICAGO – Daley Plaza
CHICAGO – DePaul University
CHICAGO – Neighborhood Peace Circle
CHICAGO – University of St Francis
CRETE
DECATUR
ELGIN
GENEVA
ROCKFORD
SPRINGFIELD
WHEATON

INDIANA

SOUTH BEND : At the Crest Manor Church of the Brethren, we have a peace pole at our church building, and a second at the First Baptist side of the building. We’re replacing these worm-out poles and dedicating new peace poles with prayer, song and other worship for the Campaign Nonviolence.

HUNTINGTON
RICHMOND

IOWA

CLINTON : For the Campaign Nonviolence 2019, the  Franciscan Peace Center is sponsoring “Which Way to Peace and Justice: A Dialogue About Race, Racism and the Work of Repair” – a presentation by the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Professor of Religion at Drake University. Tuesday, September 24 at 7:00 PM at Clinton Community College, 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton, IA

CEDAR RAPIDS
DAVENPORT – Muslim Community
DAVENPORT – Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope
DUBUQUE
ESTHERVILLE

KANSAS

CONCORDIA : Climate Action for Peace Day event on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 2-4PM – includes prayer, education awareness and fellowship

KANSAS CITY – Buchanon Institute
KANSAS CITY – Peaceworks
NORTH NEWTON
PRAIRIE VILLAGE

KENTUCKY

LOUISVILLE : At the Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion, our 5th annual 12 Days Toward Peace 2019 begins with an International Day of Peace event on Saturday, September 21st and ends with our International Day of Nonviolence event on Gandhi’s birthday, October 2nd.

MAPLE MOUNT
OWENSBORO – vigil
OWENSBORO – music and speakers

LOUISIANA

LAFAYETTE : On Friday, students at Myrtle Place Elementary in Lafayette gathered on campus for a ceremony where they observed International Day of Peace.This is the second year the French immersion school celebrated the day also known as World Peace Day.The entire student body, 350 pre-K to 5th grade students, gathered on the lawn to create a heart with the French word paix, or peace, written inside.The school choir performed the song “Lean on Me” and students raised a flag to commemorate the day, which is officially celebrated on Sept. 21.

LAFAYETTE – Compassionate Communication
NEW ORLEANS

MAINE

CAMDEN : Children’s House Montessori School teachers, students and families celebrated the International Day of Peace Sept. 20 with a hike at Beech Hill Preserve in Rockport. The day was officially celebrated Sept. 21 this year. They sang songs of peace, learned about the significance of the International Day of Peace and of peace education as part of the Montessori curriculum, and released a monarch butterfly, one of a number hatched in school classrooms. Upon returning to school, students continued to recognize the International Day of Peace by ringing the school bell. This is a tradition that began last year in tribute to the Japanese Peace Bell that is housed at UN Headquarters in New York.

BANGOR
PORTLAND

MARYLAND

SANDY SPRING : To honor International Day of Peace, our school has come up with an entire week of peace-themed activities!
Monday, Sept. 16 – Remember the giant Peace Chain we made for last year’s Peace Day? It will be put on display in the Dining Hall to kick off our Peace Week activities.
Tuesday, Sept. 17 – The Lower School will present a peace-themed musical performance.
Wednesday, Sept. 18 – Rock the Chalk/Chalk the Walk for Peace: there will be sidewalk chalk available during recess for anyone that wants to write a message for peace on the sidewalk.
Thursday, Sept. 19 – Wear Peace/Share Peace: this is your chance to wear your peace-themed clothing and accessories.
Friday, Sept. 20 – The culminating event for Peace Week will be the installation of an all-school art project in the Dining Hall – a paper peace dove entitled “Hope Is the Thing with Feathers.” To create this dove, every member of the SSFS community is asked to contribute a hope for peace written on a paper feather

ANNAPOLIS
CAMBRIDGE
GAITHERSBURG
MOUNT RAINIER
NATIONAL HARBOR
NEW WINDSOR
SALISBURY

(Survey continued in right column)

Question related to this article:

What has happened this year (2019) for the International Day of Peace?

(Survey continued from left column)

MASSACHUSETTS

BOSTON : For the Tenth Annual celebration of the UN International Day of Peace in Boston, we will gather on the Boston Common (near the Park Street mbta station) from 2 to 4 pm on Sunday 22nd September. We will feature speeches by local peacemakers, dances, music, songs, and children’s activities – many on the “climate action for peace” theme. One song, written nearly thirty years ago, asks how long we can wait to take action on our climate. We will conclude with the reading of the list of violent deaths in the past year and a walk to the nearby garden of peace. Visit our website (idpboston.org) for further information.

BEVERLY
BRIDGEWATER
CAMBRIDGE
SOUTH BOSTON
SPRINGFIELD

MICHIGAN

TRAVERSE CITY : Veterans for Peace Chapter 50 will meet with the community for a sunrise ceremony on the 21st, followed by the Mayor reading a peace proclamation at our government center, and planting a peace pole at a local park. On the 22nd, we will have a celebration in downtown Traverse City, which will include music and speakers, followed by our 8th annual peace march through and around downtown.

FLINT
GRAND RAPIDS – Peace Walk
GRAND RAPIDS – Month of Peace
HOLLAND
LANSING
OKEMOS
OXFORD
ROCHESTER

MINNESOTA

MOORHEAD : The 24 hours of the International Day of Peace are meant to remind us all what binds us together instead of what breaks us apart. That’s why a diverse group of people, including new Americans from across the valley, came together at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead. The day is hosted by Chira Global Development Organization. It provided cultural foods, videos for people to watch and speakers who talked about the current climate of the world.

LITTLE FALLS
MINNEAPOLIS NORTHFIELD
ST PAUL

MISSISSIPPI

JACKSON : Reading and peace lesson with pre-school student,

MISSOURI

SPRINGFIELD : Every fall we gather to celebrate International Peace Day. Our school joins thousands of Montessori schools in singing “Light a Candle for Peace” for 24 hours. Each school sings this song for several minutes between 10 – 11 local time. On September 20, we invite you to celebrate Peace Day with us. Children will gather at 10:30 am in the school library. Parents are invited to join us.  After singing we will go outside and create a collaborative art piece. If your child does not attend school on Friday, we invite you to bring your child and join us to celebrate. Children and parents should wear white shirts.

MONTANA

BILLINGS :
CELEBRATE !!!
UN International Day of Peace
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019,2-4pm, 501 S. 29th St.
-Rivers to the Sea, Peace Rocks, Music,
-Peace Starts With Me and More

ARLEE

NEBRASKA

GRAND ISLAND : The Central Nebraska Peace Workers scheduled an event for saturday, september 21 (international day of peace) in afternoon

NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONCORD : NH Building a Culture of Peace Forum and NH Peace Action, September 19th. Witness: Family Separation. 7pm at UU Church.

BOW
CONCORD – Pizza for Peace

NEW JERSEY

ROCKAWAY : Join New Jersey climate activist and State Assembly candidate Christine Clarke and her team at the Parks Lake Gazebo in Rockaway Township, NJ for a special #LD26Weekends canvass and action launch to commemorate Peace Day! We’ll hear from our candidate and guests, enjoy lunch together (provided) and observe the moment of silence at noon before starting outreach activities to let voters know about her climate-focused campaign for public office. Learn more about her work at www.clarkeforassembly.com

BAY HEAD
BLOOMFIELD
BOUNDBROOK
LEONIA
SKILLMAN

NEW MEXICO

TAOS : Taos, has a full week of climate strike actions and events planned. If you cannot go to the Santa Fe Capital Convergence, join us locally for a rally from 12-6pm, and an action starting at 11am to protest climate injustice and handout fliers for the week of events. We will have signs and Earth flags. Some of us will maintain the public demonstration while others pass out fliers to the local businesses and passersby. Everyone is welcome. This event is nonviolent and held in conjunction with the Campaign Nonviolence Week of Actions, and the Global Climate Strikes.

ESPAÑOLA

NEVADA

LAS VEGAS : SHOOTING FOR PEACE is a program for the International Day of Peace spearheaded by global ambassador & former NBA player Jerome “JYD” Williams and NBA Legends. The 12- 3 PM event will include digital educational services, HBCU scholarships, Q & A panel, poetry and essay contests. Also, a Celebrity Basketball Game for an afternoon of entertainment, music and amazing skills. Bringing Communities Together, Promoting Education & Encouraging Young people To Engage In Peaceful Activities.

LAS VEGAS – Peace Vigil
RENO

NEW YORK

NEW YORK : Peace Walk 2019. Please join the Peace Project, Inc and the Middle Schools Alliance on Saturday, September 21st as we celebrate International Peace Day from 3pm to 4.30pm. Students from all 13 independent schools in the MSA are invited to come together and walk across the Ward’s Island Bridge to Randall’s Island, taking steps and building bridges for peace together. Siblings are welcome – bring the whole family to reconnect with friends and get in step for the coming year!
Schedule of Events:
3-3.10pm: Please meet at East 102nd Street between First Ave and the FDR Drive and look for the flags. We will leave the meeting place by 3.10pm to walk towards Randall’s Island.
3.15pm: Walk as a group towards Randall’s Island in celebration of International Peace Day.
4.15pm: Return back to Manhattan via the same route on the footbridge. Everything will conclude by 4.30pm

NEW YORK – UNITED NATIONS :Peace Day celebrations will take place at the United Nations Headquarters on Friday, 20 September 2019, The Secretary-General will commence the celebration at 9:00am in the Peace Garden by ringing the Peace Bell and observing a minute of silence followed by a Student Observance from 9:30 a.m. till noon organized by the Education Outreach Section of the Department of Global Communications. Approximately 700 high school and college students will have an opportunity to interact with UN Messengers of Peace, along with youth participating via videoconference from the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

BINGHAMTON
BROOKLYN
EAST HAMPTON
HILTON
KINGSTON
NEW HARTFORD
OWEGO
SAYVILLE
SYOSSET

NORTH CAROLINA

ASHEVILLE : In recognition of the UN sponsored International Day of Peace on Sept. 21st, Peace Is Possible NC will be hosting Strategy For Peace, Friday evening, Sept. 20th, from 7- 8:30pm, at the North Asheville Public Library at 1030 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville.
Please join us to learn more about The Prem Rawat Foundation’s Peace Education Program and other ongoing efforts to promote personal peace. The event will feature video presentations focused on local and worldwide efforts being made to help all of us get back in touch with our humanity

ASHEVILLE – Rainbow Community Center
ASHEVILLE – WNC4Peace
CULLOWHEE
LOWELL
RALEIGH
WARRENTON

NORTH DAKOTA

FARGO : The children of Nativity Catholic School, classes from Kindergarten to Grade 5, will hear a brief presentation on the background of our Peace Pole, discuss ways in which they can be peace makers, and then finish with prayer at the site of our Peace Pole.

OHIO

BOWLING GREEN : Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace. We celebrate this day annually at the Montessori School of Bowling Green and invite you to celebrate as well. As a school community, we will be observing the International Day of Peace on Friday, September 20th this year.”

ASHTABULA,
CINCINNATI – MLK Bridge
CINCINNATI – Women Writing for Change
CLEVELAND
DAYTON
MADISON
STOW
TOLEDO

OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA CITY : Please join people of all ages who are coming together to participate in the Global Climate Strike on September 20, 2019. This Oklahoma City Climate Strike event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on the East Lawn of the City Hall Municipal Building in Oklahoma City at 200 North Walker Avenue.

OREGON

ASHLAND : To honor the strides Ashland has made in the past year to cultivate a culture of peace, the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission is organizing a Global Peace Conference for the International Day of Peace, Saturday, Sept. 21. It’s also ACPC’s fourth anniversary. The conference will feature a variety of local, state, national and international speakers, including keynote speaker Anwarul Chowdhury, the former Under Secretary General and High Representative of the United Nations, and founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace. The theme of the event is “You Are the Flame,” in honor of the first anniversary of the world peace flame in Ashland.

BURNS
BEAVERTON
CORVALLIS
FOREST GROVE
PORTLAND – Hosteling
PORTLAND – Peace Team
PORTLAND – Voices from the Margin
SALEM
SHERWOOD

PENNSYLVANIA

BETHLEHEM : For the International Day of Peace, help us plant an American Dogwood tree and learn about Wangari Maathai as we read Jeanette Winter’s Wangari’s Trees of Peace.

COLLEGEVILLE
HORSHAM
INDIANA
MEDIA
PHILADELPHIA – library
PHILADELPHIA – South Philly
VILLA MARIA
WAYNE

RHODE ISLAND

KINGSTON : The Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies at URI will hold a day of peace activities including; a human peace sign, peace flag making, Inner Peace for International Peace lecture, and a candlelight vigil for joy and peace with Othok Rinpoche.

PROVIDENCE
WESTERLY

SOUTH CAROLINA

CHARLESTON: Men Against Domestic Violence USA for Campaign Nonviolence. A Conversation We’ve Neglected: Unmasking Domestic Violence Annual Conference. This conference will bring together domestic violence and law enforcement personel, prosecutors, victim advocates, judges, parole and probation officers, rape crisis workers, researchers, educators and more.

SOUTH DAKOTA

SIOUX FALLS : As part of Campaign Nonviolence the “Just” Peace Group, Spirit of Peace UCC will show the movie “Dallas Buyers Club” for our “Just” Flicks movie night on Sept. 20.

TENESSEE

JOHNSON CITY : On Friday, the International Day of Peace was celebrated in the Quad alongside the Native American Festival to spread unity and diversity. “ETSU has a lot of diversity on campus,” Tedra Bennett, assistant to the director of programming and outreach at the Multicultural Center said. “And you know each year the theme differs for international day of peace, but the whole point of it is to create a sense of unity between all of the different ethnicities, cultures and races.” Bennett said that the International Day of Peace has been happening at ETSU for the past five years, and that this year’s theme centered around the topic of climate change. . . . During the day, there was tabling from different organizations across campus that had displays centered around peace. One of the organizations was the ETSU Gospel Choir, and their activity involved students choosing a word associated with peace written on a box and writing what that word meant to them. . . Along with a tabling of different organizations during the day, International Day of Peace also hosted a balloon release and candlelight vigil at Borchuck Plaza later in the evening, with different students from various organizations speaking about what peace meant to them.

GATLINBURG
JACKSON
MEMPHIS – Campaign Nonviolence
MEMPHIS – Veterans for Peace
OAK RIDGE

TEXAS

AUSTIN : The Austin Chapter of the United Nations Association together with Baha’i Faith Austin are hosting the 3rd annual Pathway to Peace: Feast for Peace event on September 21, 5-8pm. Food and beverages from various cultural origins plus activities and performances for the whole family are all available free with an RSVP.

ARLINGTON
AUSTIN – Bamboo Festival
AUSTIN – Nonviolent Austin
EL PASO
KINGWOOD
SAN ANTONIO
STAFFORD

UTAH

SALT LAKE CITY : The Gandhi Alliance for Peace will hold an event for Campaign Nonviolence.

VERMONT

BENNINGTON : The Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center invites the public to join us on Saturday, Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace, at 5:15 pm in front of the Bennington Town Hall, next to the Peace Park. We will begin with a few moments of silence for all victims of war. This will be followed by readings of quotes and short passages from old and new peace activists- from Gandhi to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Come share in these important reflections; if you wish, bring a short reading of your choosing. Following the gathering, we will walk to the Unitarian Meetinghouse on School St. for light refreshments & a 6:30 pm screening of the documentary film, A Bold Peace. The film will be introduced by Dr. Joseph Olejak of the Old Chatham (NY) Quaker Meeting. Admission is free and open to the public.

BRATTLEBORO
HYDE PARK
NORWICH
RUTLAND
RUPERT
SHELBURNE

VIRGINIA

KILMARNOCK : The Bay Center invites you and your friends and family to celebrate the International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”), which is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Kids will be able to “take a bit of peace home” as we’re offering fun activities for children such as peace rocks, pinwheels for peace, recyclables as art, origami doves, and writing peace wishes. Kids and adults will be invited to participate in a drumming circle and labyrinth walk. Peaceful artwork from Lancaster Middle School art students will be on display.

CHARLOTESVILLE
HUDDLESTON
HUNTINGTON
RICHMOND
SPOTSYLVANIA COURTHOUSE
STAUNTON

WASHINGTON

SEATTLE : A peace vigil will be held on Seattle’s Capitol Hill on Sun., Sept. 22nd from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. sponsored by Lutheran Peace Fellowship. We’ll meet in the lobby of the Parish Hall at Central Lutheran Church, 1710 11th Ave, Seattle (across from Cal Anderson Park). We’ll gather, introduce ourselves, share a little, and walk to the Park, Broadway or Pine St to hold our vigil. Join us!

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
LACEY
LYNNWOOD
SPOKANE

WISCONSIN

EAU CLAIRE : Saturday marked the international day of peace as declared by the United Nations, but one area group made the day local. The community coalition for non-violence in Eau Claire hosted the event at the Eau Claire children’s theatre. Several local activist groups were there to speak with visitors about issues facing the area. Organizer, Rev. Kathy Walker, says the event aims to promote inclusiveness in the community. “We’ve been working in the community,” Walker said. “We got a proclamation from the city council declaring this international day of peace here in Eau Claire so it is part of who we are and we want to spread the word that peace is possible.” Over one hundred people attended the event which included a performance of music and poetry about peace. Organizers say they hope to continue the event in the future.

BARABOO
FOND DU LAC
GREEN BAY
MADISON – vigil
MADISON – Interfaith Peace Group
MIDDLETON
MILWAUKEE – Center for Peacemaking
MILWAUKEE – Peace Action
MILWAUKEE – Marquette University

WEST VIRGINIA

HUNTINGTON : Brown Dog Yoga: Restorative Yoga for peace of the mind, body, and spirit.

POWELL

WYOMING

CASPER : Thanks to The Table and Casper UU: Unitarian Universalist Community of Casper, local kids and adults will share their thoughts on creating a climate of peace with the Earth, ourselves, and each other. Plus, get an update on how the community is coming together, to using art with The Casper Mural Project and Casper Art Walk to heal, a short Qigong practice, a labyrinth walk and more. To demonstrate new efforts of creating peace with our environment, Range Solar and Wind provide the renewable energy to power the event. Join us on the river, at The Bart Rea Learning Circle within Amoco Park on The Platte River Trails. Sept 21, 1-3.