I admit my ignorance. I am not proud of it, but perhaps a precursor to learning is a knowledge that we do not know everything and we must continually seek to expand our understanding of the world around us. I digress.
In September, 2001, the United Nations unanimously approved a holiday to be celebrated on September 21st. This holiday would be a worldwide day of peace. For one day, hostilities would cease and the world would be at peace. Millions of people observe this holiday each year and I knew nothing of its existence. I was ignorant.
The purpose of the day was greater than just stopping fighting for a day. If two sides in an armed conflict took a day off from fighting, relief organizations would be able to come into the area and help the wounded, immunize children, and offer help to the civilians in the area. Peace, though, was also recognized as being more than just an absence of armed conflict. It was also a call for peace from domestic violence and a push for helping others.
The existence of this holiday was brought to my attention by one our teachers and club sponsors, Mrs. Ross. Mrs. Ross approached me during the summer to request that our school participate in “Peace Day.” She brought me information about the day and how we might embrace it.
I began to look into it and realized that my own understanding of the concept of “Peace” was limited. Rather than pulling out my Webster’s Dictionary as members of my generation were taught, I followed the example of my own children and went to www.dictionary.com for the definition and found:
“Peace:
- 1. the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
- 2.(often initial capital letter) an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism: the Peace of Ryswick.
- 3. a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations: Try to live in peace with your neighbors.
- 4. the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security; He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.
- 5. cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.”
While much of the definition fit my own quick internal definition, this highlighted that it was really bigger. A feeling of “a state of mutual harmony…in personal relations” pushed my thinking on how celebrating this holiday could really help us with many school initiatives (i.e. our anti-bullying efforts, our work against cyber-bullying, building school spirit, increasing club memberships, etc.)
The more I learned about Peace Day, the more I knew that I would like to see our school participate.
"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.” – United Nations Resolution, 2001
The Day has three Guiding Principles:
- Peace within - the Minute of Silence at noon in each time zone;
- Peace without - an Act of Service for Peace that benefits the larger community;
- Peace year round - a commitment to a Daily Peace Practice by joining with others to build a worldwide Culture of Peace.
We decided that we would become involved and did so with great success. The day’s activities were primarily organized by our SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) Club. Many clubs and groups participated and it was that sharing of responsibilities that brought such success.
For us the day included:
- Curricular Focus – teachers included the “International Day of Peace” as a focus in their classes. They still taught what was called for in their Daily Pacing Guides, but included the day’s concepts as part of their work. Fundamentally, schools exist to create productive citizens who will positively contribute to society. Promoting the concepts of peace within our curriculum certainly helps accomplish this goal.
- T-shirt sales – The SAVE club sold t-shirts that said Peace on the front along with the school name. The students had found a vendor to provide the shirts for just over $1. The students sold the shirts for $5 and used the money to support the Treehouse Child Advocacy Center.
- Boys vs. Girls Soccer Game – the day’s concluding activity was a soccer game matching our Girl’s Soccer Team against the Boy’s Soccer Team. Soccer is perhaps the most international sport we compete in and seemed to really be the obvious choice for a fun concluding activity. Tickets were sold to the game and the funds were used to support “Turning Point,” a local domestic violence shelter.
- NHS Blood Drive – the National Honor Society hosted a blood drive to highlight the work that takes place on Peace Day to help hurting people. This was again a way for our students to make a difference.
- Armed Forces Presence – we invited each of the Armed Forces to participate in the day. They shared the military’s support for International Peace Day. Knowing that we have family members serving in harm’s way made it important to us continue to show our support of the military even while promoting the concept of Peace.
- Video Presentation during lunches – during lunch we showed a video from Peace One Day giving the background of the day and the desires for the future.
The International Day of Peace is an important concept. I am grateful to Mrs. Ross who brought it to my attention and proud of the efforts of our students and staff in using the opportunity to make a difference. I would encourage you to take a look at the following websites and consider taking part.
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