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THE PEACE DAY - PHILLY INITIATIVE

On Peace Day 2011, September 21, over forty organizations, dozens of libraries & schools and twenty-one police districts across the Philadelphia region participated in wide range of peace, non-violence and community-building activities.

GET INVOLVED IN PEACE DAY - PHILLY 2012!

• - SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE, SEPTEMBER 21, AND THE PEACE DAY - PHILLY 2012 INITIATIVE
• - PLAN A PEACE/NON-VIOLENCE PROGRAM, OR AN ACTIVITY TO HIGHLIGHT ONGOING PEACE RELATED WORK, DURING THE WEEK OF SEPT. 17th
• - MARK YOUR 2012 CALENDAR & "LIKE" THE PEACE DAY – PHILLY 2012 COMMUNITY PAGE

Contact us at peacedayphilly2012@gmail.com and watch for our new website coming in April 2012

The United Nations International Day of Peace ("Peace Day")

Peace Day is a global day of ceasefire and non-violence observed throughout the world on September 21. Unanimously adopted by the United Nations, the U.N. theme for the 2011 International Day of Peace is Let Your Voice Be Heard! Peace Day provides an important opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. Millions of people participate in Peace Day throughout the world through a wide variety of activities - humanitarian, educational, arts, sports, faith-based, community-based and celebratory.

For examples of a wide range of Peace Day activities, Click Here.

For photos of Peace Day events around the world, Click Here.

PEACE DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

All events are free and open to the public!

All day / evening
Neighborhood Peace and Non-Violence Activities across Philadelphia
Offered by: Philadelphia Police District Offices
All welcome - to find info for your district/neighborhood, click here

7:00-7:45am & 8:00-8:45am
Mindfulness Meditation
Offered by: Philadelphia Shambhala Center
2030 Sansom St, 3rd floor, Philadelphia
For more info: click here
All Welcome

9:00am – 11:00am
NEW – International Video Conference Program!
International Student Dialogue: Multiculturalism & Building a Culture of Peace (Flyer )
Students from Alexandria, Egypt, Trondheim, Norway and Philadelphia, USA will discuss changing
attitudes and views on multiculturalism and cultural tolerance.
McNeil Bldg., Room 395 - University of PA, 3718 Locust Walk
Partner: Global Education Motivators
Registration Required – primarily a student program – faculty and NGOs also welcome. Please e-mail gem@chc.edu to register by Sept. 20th.

1:00 – 2:30pm
Peace Talks (Flyer )
Creative Peacemaking: Rebuilding Communities, Healing Identities
With Sharon Katz, Dean Ravizza and Heidi West
Creese Student Center, 3210 Chestnut Street, Drexel University
Partner: Office of International Programs, Drexel University (OIP website)
For more information about Peace Talks, click here

3:00 – 4:30pm
Peace Talks (Flyer )
Peace Visions: A World Free of Nuclear Threats & Small-Arms Menace
William Hartung, Jacqueline Reich and Ed Aguilar
Creese Student Center, 3210 Chestnut Street, Drexel University
Partner: Office of International Programs, Drexel University
Program Sponsor: The Project for Nuclear Awareness (PNA website)
For more information, click here

4:00pm – 4:30pm
Cupcake Fight for Peace
34th and Race, Race Street Lawn
Offered by: Urban Playground Drexel Student Organization
For more info: click here

3:30 – 5:30pm
Student Forum: Spreading the Message of Peace and Hope
5398 Wynnefield Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Offered by: Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence
All Welcome
For more information: click here

4:00pm-6:00pm
Walk & Prayer: Stand Against Illegal Guns (Flyer )
1600 Catharine Street (2 blocks west of Broad and 3 blocks south of South)
Offered by: Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence
All welcome
click here

5:45-6:30pm
Peace in Ourselves, Peace in the World: A Walk in Mindfulness (Flyer )
Start at 1906 Rittenhouse Square (in front of the Ethical Society)
Offered by: Peaceful City Sangha (PCS website)
All Welcome

6:30 – 7:15pm
Peace Sing-A-Long
Outside the Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 19th St & Rittenhouse Square
(or inside if it's raining!)
Offered by: Philadelphia Humanist Society
Lemonade and lyrics provided!
All Welcome

7:30 – 9:00pm
Bridges To Peace: An Evening of Music & Dialogue (Flyer )
The Ethical Society of Philadelphia
1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
Partner: Intercultural Journeys (IJ website)
For more information about Bridges to Peace, click here
To reserve seats: info@interculturaljourneys.org or call 215-732-2550
Please note! At this venue there will be a special 6:45pm screening of "Catch a Dreamer," a visually beautiful piece about the U.N. rights of the child, with artwork by Helen Webber.
For New Earth Songs website and trailer: click here
Also note that the "Lost Stories" Traveling Exhibition of the Envision Peace Museum
will be on display at this venue. For more info click here

Involve Your Organization in Peace Day

We invite organizations of all sizes and kinds in the Philadelphia region—educational, social service, neighborhood/community, faith-based, civic, environmental, arts and culture—to plan a peace activity for September 21 in keeping with your organization's mission. Organizations can have an immense impact on their constituencies by organizing an engaging activity for Peace Day, September 21.

Peace Day for Children & Youth

Children are the peacemakers of the future, and Peace Day provides an opportunity for children and youth to engage in creative and inspiring activities where they can learn, be creative, work collaboratively and express themselves in positive ways. Through engaging peace and non-violence activities, children and youth can put voice, image and action to their dreams of peace and non-violence.

We urge parents, teachers, principals, as well as after school and community educators to create opportunities for children and youth to actively engage in Peace Day activities. On September 21 Take ideas from the suggested activities here or create your own!

For suggested Peace Day activities for kids, click here

For a link to the United Nations Cyber School Bus website, click here

Peace Day activities at schools and in after-school programs can be as simple as writing a personal Peace Pledge, creating a peace collage, flag or poster, writing a poem for peace, or learning about the U.N. and its humanitarian work around the world through the U.N.'s "Cyber School Bus." Peace Day activities can be woven into many academic subjects, such as world cultures (learning about children in other areas of the world), history (reading and discussing the speeches and perspectives of peacemakers), and science (learning about environmental problems and projects worldwide). Ongoing Peace related activities that can be launched on Peace Day can include: a Peace Student Union Group, a Roots and Shoots club, an anti-bullying club, and organizing intercultural Skypes with children in other parts of the world.

The non-profit Peace One Day has also developed FREE Peace Education Resources for grades 6 - 12. Included in this resource, and in all new editions, is a new lesson - 'Intercultural Cooperation' - enabling young people to connect with others in different countries, using free Skype software. Resources are flexible and can be integrated into curriculum as determined by individual teachers and schools. Underwritten by Ben & Jerry's and developed in association with Scholastic, the Peace One Day USA Education Resource has been created in line with USA National Standards. Over 4,500 currently using the POD resources in the U.S.A. alone.

To access the FREE Peace One Day Education Resour ces, which include a lesson plan on GLOBAL TRUCE 2012, click here

Peace Day - Philly 2011 Participating Organizations

Organizations throughout the region are planning a wide range of Peace Day activities. Participating organizations/groups in the Philadelphia region include:

Non-Violence Programs and Activities

• - A Ride Til The End (ARTTE) (website)
• - Congreso de Latinos Unidos
• - The Granny Peace Brigade of Philadelphia
• - Neighborhood Partners to End Gun Violence
• - Peace Corps Association of the Philadelphia Area
• - Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr. Association for Nonviolence, Inc. (website)
• - Philadelphia Police Commissioner's Office
• - Stapley Wesley
• - Urban Playground Drexel Student Group
• - The Women's Solo Project

School and After-School Creative/Educational Activities

• - The School District of Philadelphia
• - Devon Elementary School
• - Episcopal Academy
• - The Free Library of Philadelphia/ LEAP Program
• - Andrew Jackson Elementary/Middle School
• - Radnor Middle School
• - Saint Davids Nursery School

Academic Talks, Discussions & International Video Conferences

• - The African Studies Center, Univ. of Pennsylvania (website)
• - Drexel University, Office of International Programs (website)
• - Global Education Motivators (website)
• - Global Nursing & Seminar Club, University of Pennsylvania
• - St. Joseph's University, Political Science Program
• - Philadelphia University, Department of Design and Media
• - The Project for Nuclear Awareness (website)
• - Temple University, Students Dissent for Peace
• - Temple University, Department of History & College of Liberal Arts
• - Villanova University, Center for Peace & Justice Education

ONE DAY ONE GOAL Soccer Events / Sport for Peace

• - Friends Central
• - Germantown Friends School (with several area public schools & the Police Athletic League)
• - Philadelphia University
• - Police Athletic League
  (For info on PAL's 9/29 flag football event for peace on 9/29, click here )

Arts and Culture

• - CODA Program (website)
• - The Envision Peace Museum (website)
• - Ethical Humanist Society (website)
• - Henry C. Lea School (special music workshop with Sharon Katz)
• - Intercultural Journeys (website)
• - Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice (special music workshop with Sharon Katz)
• - Rotary Club of North Phila. Madrugadores (website)

Screenings of "The Day After Peace" documentary/other Peace Films

• - New Earth Songs
• - Philadelphia University Law Department

Yoga and Meditation

• - Ocean Earth Wind Fire (website)
• - Peaceful City Sangha
• - Philadelphia Shambhala Center (website)

Community / Social Media Outreach

• - Philadelphia Youth Commission

Endorsing Organizations

• - Arch Street Meeting House (website)
• - Bucks County Chapter, UNA-USA
• - Brandywine Peace Community (website)
• - Coalition for Peace Action (website)
• - Global Philadelphia Association (website)
• - Green Party of Philadelphia (website)
• - International House (website)
• - Veterans for Peace (website)

Observe Peace Day as an Individual

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011, we urge individual citizens in the Philadelphia region, as well as communities and organizations, to join with the world in observing Peace Day.

Do something, large or small, that is meaningful to you- in your home, in your community or in your wider world. Commit to a minute of silence at noon, bring together members of your community, facilitate an art activity or peace dove parade with children, reach out to an estranged family member or friend.

We urge you to become involved, to make your voice heard, in the name of peace.

Special Benefit Concert for Peace!

7:00pm, September 20th, 2011
Featuring "Brothers in Harmony"
Philadelphia Meetinghouse at Friends Center
1515 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Phone: 215-241-7208
Tickets: $25.00/ Purchase through: http://madrugadores.ticketleap.com/concert/

Proceeds and donations will help support Madrugadores Rotary and future projects for promoting peace around the world. The Madrugadores Rotary is also working with the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia on a Malaria Eradication project in the Hispaniola Island, a major island in the Caribbean containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

A reception with light refreshment follows the concert in the Cherry Street Room across the hall.

About The Brothers in Harmony: The Brothers in Harmony are the Hamilton Square, New Jersey Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). The Chorus has been thrilling audiences with their rich, vibrant, award-winning harmony since their start in 1998. In Philadelphia in 2010, they finished 9th out of nearly 900 registered choruses in ten countries from North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. In August 2012, at the invitation of the Russian Minister of Culture, the Brothers in Harmony will perform at the International Music Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Brothers in Harmony perform under the musical direction of Jack Pinto.

Peace Day – Philly 2011 Events

*FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC*

"Peace Talks"

Peace Day Partner: Drexel University's Office of International Programs

September 21, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Creative Peacemaking: Re-Building Communities, Healing Identities
Creese Student Center, 3210 Chestnut Street, Drexel University

From music in South Africa to sport in Northern Uganda, speakers will discuss their experiences using creative, culturally responsive ways to re-build communities and heal identities post-conflict. Developing and encouraging identities of Peace will also be discussed.

Speaker: Sharon Katz, M.A.

Grammy-nominated South African musician & humanitarian

In 1992 in South Africa, Ms. Katz formed the Peace Train, a 500-voice, multi-racial choir and band, to show what Nelson Mandela's vision of a unified nation would look and sound like after the fall of apartheid. Since that historic tour she has performed worldwide. Her music has also been supporting projects to take care of South African children whose families have been affected by joblessness and the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Ms. Katz received her music therapy degree from Temple University, and her U.S. experience includes a decade of practice in Philadelphia at mental health, hospital and special education settings, as well as workshops in schools to promote multi- cultural experiences and end violence.

For more information about Ms. Katz, Click Here

For a video about "The Peace Train," Click Here

"As a South African musician growing up during the terrible days of apartheid, I always found that music had a way of bringing people together, regardless of race, culture or beliefs…When people are enjoying themselves and making music together, they quickly experience deep feelings that bind them to one another. And when we feel connected to each other, our fears and barriers melt away."

Speaker: Dean M. Ravizza, Ph.D.

Health, Physical Education and Human Performance Dept., Salisbury University

Dean Ravizza is an assistant professor and Physical Education Program Director in the Dept. of Health and Sport Sciences and Senior Research Practitioner in the Center for Conflict Resolution at Salisbury University. His work focuses on the intersection of research, fieldwork, and practice to advance the uses of sport for children and youth in armed conflict, former child soldiers, and other vulnerable children. He serves as the principal investigator for the long-term research project based in Northern Uganda with a primary focus on the role of sport in the reintegration and social inclusion of former child soldiers.

Ravizza is the creator of the Peaceful Play program for children and youth in armed conflict. He is a regular invited lecturer at the Communities and Crisis - Inclusive Community Building through Sport Seminar in Berlin, Germany and has collaborated with a number of community-based, non-governmental, and United Nations organizations on projects related to sport for development and peace for children of war.

For more information on Dr. Ravizza's work, Click Here

"Facilitators of sport programs can use teachable moments of conflict in sports to practice strategies for resolution. These strategies can then be applied to other areas of their homes, school and community to promote peace."

September 21, 3:00pm-4:30pm
Peace Visions: A World Free of Nuclear Threats & Small-Arms Menace
Creese Student Center, 3210 Chestnut Street, Drexel University

Dr. Hartung, an international expert on the world arms trade, will discuss current arms policy/issues as well as the nuclear dilemma facing the world. Dr. Reich will present "The Vision of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty-- How Can We Make It a Reality?"

These talks will be followed by Q&A with our audience members & panel.

Edward A. Aguilar, The Project for Nuclear Awareness

The Project for Nuclear Awareness

William Hartung, Ph.D.

Senior Research Fellow, New America Foundation's American Strategy Program

William Hartung specializes in issues of weapons proliferation, the economics of military spending, and alternative approaches to national security strategy. From 2007 through early 2011, Mr. Hartung ran the Arms and Security Initiative at New America -- a project that is now part of the Center for International Policy, and that Mr. Hartung continues to lead. Before coming to New America, Dr. Hartung worked for 15 years as Director of the Arms Trade Resource Center at the World Policy Institute at the New School in New York City.

Dr. Hartung's articles on security issues have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Nation, and the World Policy Journal.

For more information on Dr. Hartung, Click Here.
For information on his new book, "Prophets of War," Click Here.

Jacqueline Reich, Ph.D.

Professor of Political Science, Chestnut Hill College

Jacqueline Reich's courses have focused on International Relations and American Foreign Policy. She specializes in international relations theory, international conflict and cooperation, and security studies.

Bridges to Peace: A Special Evening of Music & Dialogue

Peace Day Partner: Intercultural Journeys
Program Sponsor: The Ethical Society of Philadelphia

September 21, 7:30pm
The Ethical Society of Philadelphia, 1906 Rittenhouse Square.

This program will include music by a multicultural group of world-class musicians, as well as dialogue about the role of music in connecting listeners to their humanity and in creating opportunities for peaceful connection.

About Intercultural Journeys
Intercultural Journeys is a non-profit organization, co-founded by renowned Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Udi Bar-David. Intercultural Journeys seeks to promote understanding in the pursuit of peace among people of diverse faiths and conflicting cultures through dialogue and the presentation of world-class music.

NEW - Special Student Program! Reservations Required

International Student Dialogue: Designing a Culture of Peace in Multicultural Societies

Peace Day Partner: Global Education Motivators
Program Sponsor: The African Studies Center, U. of PA (website)

September 21, 9:00am – 11:00am
University of Pennsylvania, McNeil Building, Room 395, 3718 Locust Walk

Philadelphia students will dialogue with their peers in Alexandria, Egypt and Trondheim, Norway to broaden perspectives and learn from each other regarding what is happening in their 21st Century world regarding tolerance towards others of different beliefs and nationalities. What are students learning and experiencing in Egypt, Norway and the United States regarding current problems they are facing regarding a fear of multiculturalism? What do students think is needed to develop more positive attitudes towards multiculturalism in their society? How would you design a society of peace and genuine tolerance?

This special program is limited to 40 students
Reservations required – must register by 9/16

To register, contact us at peacedayphilly2011@gmail.com

Peace Events Hosted by the Project for Nuclear Awareness - Sept. 20th & Sept. 23rd:

Sept. 20 | St. Joseph's University: Public Forum

11:30am-12:45pm

Topic: Nuclear Weapons-Threats and Challenges to the Environment and Your Human Rights

Speakers: Ed Aguilar, Project for Nuclear Awareness program coordinator

Jocelyn Voorhees, St. Joseph's University student and PNA intern

Location: Barbelin Hall, Room 265, Saint Joseph's University 5600 City Ave., Philadelphia
The presentation will be followed by Q&A with the public. Learn how you can build a movement to put an end to nuclear threats—and nuclear weapons.

Sept. 23 | Temple U.: Students Dissent for Peace

3:00-4:30pm

Anderson Hall, Room 821, 12th & Berks Streets | Philadelphia, PA

Follow the Teach-ins on Facebook

This program discusses some of the big steps that will have to be taken to have enduring peace, and peace of mind, in the nuclear arena.

For more information on these programs, please go to: The Project for Nuclear Awareness

Featured Peace Day Activity: "One Day One Goal" Soccer Games

The idea is simple: organize a soccer game for September 21 and play with a spirit of Peace and unity. Even better, bring together groups that often don’t interact with each other or have been in conflict – what’s called a “Unity match.” Examples include: private and public school students, college students and faculty and 2 community groups that have had tensions with each other. Some choose to mix the two groups together and then divide into two teams to emphasize cooperation and downplay competitiveness.

On Peace Day 2010, there were 3,000 ONE DAY ONE GOAL soccer matches in support of Peace One Day in all 192 Member States of the United Nations.

Why soccer on Peace Day? Soccer is the most globally played and accessible sport, and is a unifying sport to play on a day that involves worldwide participation. Soccer encourages personal responsibility, self-control and respecting and relying on others – all of which are important aspects of character development and positive interpersonal interactions.

The ONE DAY ONE GOAL initiative was specifically endorsed and encouraged by the U.S. senate in 2009, and enthusiastically endorsed by the Peace and Concerns Committee of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting in 2011.

For a 3-minute video overview of ONE DAY ONE GOAL, Click Here

For more information, global pictures and to register your soccer game, Click Here

Letter from Jeremy Gilley about ONE DAY ONE GOAL

FEATURED PEACE FILM: “The Day After Peace” Documentary

Find a neighborhood or college venue and screen the award-winning film by Peace One Day’s founder Jeremy Gilley, produced in association with the BBC

The award-winning documentary “The Day After Peace” (2008; 81 minutes) tells the story of Jeremy Gilley’s global journey , interviewing world leaders and humanitarian workers to build a case for a Peace Day with a fixed calendar date and a cease-fire element. The film then documents Jeremy’s success in making his case resulting in the unanimous U.N. resolution in 2001. In the film’s conclusion, Jeremy and Peace One Day Ambassador Jude Law journey to Afghanistan to demonstrate that a day of peace can work and can save lives.

This inspiring film has won multiple awards and screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008.
For more information, Click Here

For a short video from Cannes in 2008, which includes the trailer, Click Here

To watch the 32-minute version edited for use in schools with FREE Peace One Day Education Resources, Click Here (and complete the easy, free registration)

To watch the full length documentary, click here and choose " The Day After Peace" on the right

Contact us with ideas, questions & Peace Day plans!
E-mail: peacedayphilly@una-gp.org / phone: (610) 324-3602