The International Day of Peace is almost here. Now is the time to decide how to contribute your voice, your spirit, and your creativity as a member of a global community of people who love peace and justice.
If you are just beginning to plan or if you are looking to complete your planning, the following ideas are meant to give you a boost. URI is most grateful to Father James Channan and members of the URI Cooperation Circles (CCs) in Pakistan and to Mussie Hailu and members of the URI International Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia. Their planning inspired the following ideas.
Influence Legislation - invite your group or class to write letters to the appropriate government officials to declare the International Day of Peace as a national holiday in your country and to organize programs at a national level to celebrate this day each year. For more information about the International Day of Peace go to http://www.uri.org/United_Nations.html
Peace Walk - arrange for your group or class to take a special walk or to become pilgrims for peace. Walks can be as simple as walking around the block or around a few city blocks or as extensive as a pilgrimage connecting different faith communities in your area. Group should be instructed to model peace as they walk – they might choose to walk in silence, to sing, to share prayers as they walk, to carry simple signs for peace, and to be respectful and caring to all who they meet along the way.
Personal Pledge for Peace and Non-violence – invite your group or class to read and sign the following personal pledge for peace. Before signing, ask individuals to share the one activity from the list below they pledge to do more in their daily life. If you are not members of the URI, insert the name of your group in the pledge, or make the pledge as an individual.
We, members of [United Religions Initiative], acknowledge that world peace is only possible when we start to make peace within ourselves, our family and in our respective communities. Therefore on this International Day of Peace each of us commit ourselves as best as we can to become peaceful and a non-violent person. To this effect, we pledge:* To respect ourselves, to affirm others and to avoid uncaring criticism, hurtful words, physical attacks and self-destructive behavior;
* To share our feelings honestly, to look for safe ways to express our anger, and to work at solving problems peacefully;
* To listen carefully to others, especially those who dialogue with us, and to consider others’ feelings and needs, rather than insist on having our own way;
* To apologize and make amends when we have hurt another, to forgive others, and to keep from holding grudges;
* To treat the environment and all living things, including animals, with respect and care;
* To avoid entertainment that features violence;
* To challenge violence in all its forms whenever we encounter it, whether at home, at school, at work, or in the community;
* To accept the Golden Rule (to treat others as we wish others to treat us) as our motto and principle in life;
* To promote a culture of peace, dialogue, and interfaith cooperation;
* To respect and uphold the Universal Human Rights Declaration;
* [To live by, uphold and guide by the Preamble, Purpose and Principle of the Charter of United Religions Initiative.]
Art Competition - Invite a school class or a community or faith group you know to set aside time to participate in a Peace-Pal Art Competition and Exhibition. The theme can be: "Living Together in Peace and Harmony" with the message of “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Provide art supplies, lead class or group to reflect on what living together in peace and harmony would look like to them. You might read inspiring quotations and stories, provide group time to complete artwork and time to share their creations. If desired, you might organize a contest or an exhibition. An impromptu “peace gallery exhibition” could be set up in a school hallway or a community gathering place where the artwork would be on display.
Visiting Orphanages/hospitals - Friends or groups can decide to visit children in orphanages or hospitals as a gesture of solidarity and care. They can donate books, pens and other useful materials. They can attach messages of hope, caring, and renewal to the materials.
Tree planting - a tree can be donated and a meaningful place chosen in your community to plant a “peace trees.” A durable sign can be made and placed near the tree to commemorate the International Day of Peace and name the donors
Peace Awards - peace awards for individuals who have contributed to the creation of a culture of peace in an outstanding manner can be chosen by your group. Awards can be made and sent to these people with a letter of appreciation and recognition.
Create a Peace Proclamation - Present it in an assembly or program you are organizing for the International Day of Peace. Or, if you are not involved in a program or presentation, set aside time with your group to read the Proclamation together and invite people to sign it. You might print copies of the Proclamation for each person to take home, frame a copy of the Proclamation and present it as a gift, ask people to reflect on which words or phrases of the Proclamation touch them in a meaningful way and discuss these reflections with a partner, or create a signature page and ask each person to add their signature to the proclamation then frame the Proclamation and signatures. An example of URI's Peace Proclamation may be seen at:
URI IDP Peace Proclamation.
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