International Day of Peace
Yesterday was the International Day of Peace. It was created by the United Nations in 1981 and first celebrated in 1982.
"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."
One aspect of International Day of Peace is that everyone is encouraged to lay down their arms. It is a day of cease-fire, both personal and political. Imagine what would happen if everyone could experience peace for one day. We have been fighting a war for ten years. What if our soldiers and the people in the middle east could take a break and live just one day without fear? Maybe it would change something. Maybe they would remember, for a moment, what living feels like. How many soldiers, both American and Iraqi, cannot be with their loved ones? What if for one day, they could relax, talk on the phone, and dream of peace? It just might happen. Peace might be the result. If everyone could have a taste, they may want more and find a way to get it.
We had a somber celebration at UPEACE with the recent passing of a beloved professor. My program, Peace Education, is in charge of organizing activities for International Day of Peace. After a memorial for Professor Mahmoud, the mood was somber. People were in deep reflection and tears were flowing. We went ahead with our program believing that it would bring some solstice to everyone. It is such a unique place since we are all here working for one thing: peace. We moved everyone outside to a big open area and formed a circle. In this circle, we were asked to look at each other and be grateful for being here, with such amazing people united for a common good. We then continued with the exercise 'gratitude circle'. During this exercise, students were selected to be inside the circle. The outside circle remains with their eyes closed. Students inside are then instructed to find someone outside the circle that 'they are glad is here'. Student tapped then enter the circle and the others take a place on the outside. This continues with several different prompts. By then end, there were even more tears, but these were mixed with gratitude.
We then moved to the pavilion where the attached video was shown. Their were five of us on the media committee and we each filmed 10 people or more talking about peace. I then edited and collated the videos into one video about peace. It turned out very nice. It will continue to be a work in progress until all countries at UPEACE are represented. After the video, we sang 'dona-nobis' a Latin song for peace on earth. It was so beautiful to hear everyone's voices. Finally, at the end, we left a table for everyone to create a prayer flag. These will be strung together and hung around the pavilion so that our prayers for peace will be blown around the world.
By the end, everyone's spirits were lifted. We know we are doing what Professor Mahmoud would have wanted. We are carrying on, carrying a torch for peace.
Here is what my professor said yesterday: "Don't be afraid to be called a beatnik, hippie, dreamer or utopian. We are and that is what the world needs to become a better place."
"Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."
One aspect of International Day of Peace is that everyone is encouraged to lay down their arms. It is a day of cease-fire, both personal and political. Imagine what would happen if everyone could experience peace for one day. We have been fighting a war for ten years. What if our soldiers and the people in the middle east could take a break and live just one day without fear? Maybe it would change something. Maybe they would remember, for a moment, what living feels like. How many soldiers, both American and Iraqi, cannot be with their loved ones? What if for one day, they could relax, talk on the phone, and dream of peace? It just might happen. Peace might be the result. If everyone could have a taste, they may want more and find a way to get it.
We had a somber celebration at UPEACE with the recent passing of a beloved professor. My program, Peace Education, is in charge of organizing activities for International Day of Peace. After a memorial for Professor Mahmoud, the mood was somber. People were in deep reflection and tears were flowing. We went ahead with our program believing that it would bring some solstice to everyone. It is such a unique place since we are all here working for one thing: peace. We moved everyone outside to a big open area and formed a circle. In this circle, we were asked to look at each other and be grateful for being here, with such amazing people united for a common good. We then continued with the exercise 'gratitude circle'. During this exercise, students were selected to be inside the circle. The outside circle remains with their eyes closed. Students inside are then instructed to find someone outside the circle that 'they are glad is here'. Student tapped then enter the circle and the others take a place on the outside. This continues with several different prompts. By then end, there were even more tears, but these were mixed with gratitude.
We then moved to the pavilion where the attached video was shown. Their were five of us on the media committee and we each filmed 10 people or more talking about peace. I then edited and collated the videos into one video about peace. It turned out very nice. It will continue to be a work in progress until all countries at UPEACE are represented. After the video, we sang 'dona-nobis' a Latin song for peace on earth. It was so beautiful to hear everyone's voices. Finally, at the end, we left a table for everyone to create a prayer flag. These will be strung together and hung around the pavilion so that our prayers for peace will be blown around the world.
By the end, everyone's spirits were lifted. We know we are doing what Professor Mahmoud would have wanted. We are carrying on, carrying a torch for peace.
Amazing Jen, so inspiring, keep it up! So proud of all of you...
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