Tuesday, October 7, 2008

International Peace Day


International Day of Peace serves as an opportunity for us to celebrate victories for peace that have been won throughout the year, and to foster a commitment for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world for the next year. Our Global village should act as a living instrument in the service of peace.

International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

The resolution: "Declares that the International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. This day is devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and people through the manifestation of living-saving activities.

A ceremony held on the lawns and basket-ball court of Marian Academy Incorporated was used as a living instrument in the service of peace to all people. The speakers at this ceremony were Bishop Francis Alleyne, Father Simon Bishop and Mrs. Sonia Gumbs of the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.). Other attendees at this ceremony were representatives from the school’s Board of Governors, Executive Members of the out-going and present Parent-Teachers Association Body and the Ursuline Convent. Additionally, Sister Ferreira, Sister Mendes, Sister Ward, Sister Mercedes, Sister Berkley and several parents participated in this capacity building initiative to chronicle a pneumia of peace.
Marian Academy’s life saving activity was a tree-planting activity. Trees are seen as a symbol for environmental protection and international co-operation in the fields of education, cultural diversity, tolerance and peace. Peace Pinwheels were inserted around the tree. The Peace Pinwheels were used as a symbol to inspire our communities to imagine whirled peace.
There were other semblances of peace that were incorporated into our tree-planting programme. These semblances were intended to provide opportunities to inspire and empower you to observe and celebrate victories for peace and for you to rededicate your commitment to work for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. These semblances were as follows:
(a) the reciting of a Peace Poem entitled, “Path of Peace” by Sarina Kawall
(b) a minute of silence in observance of World Peace followed by the Peace Bell Ringing
(c) the insertion of Posters of Peace around an effigy of the “Blessed Lady of Lourdes”
(d) a dance entitled, “Love and Unity” by members of the Environmental Club
(e) the liberation of swallows, as a sign of Peace, by some members of the Prefect Body
Marian Academy has always been an active steward for peace by incorporating peace education into its programme. The Marian ‘family’ was the first community in Guyana to join the Global Peace Pole Project in honour of the World Peace Organisation that was founded in Japan after World War 11. In Fact, Guyana was the 181st country to become involved in this global initiative.

By Andre Pompey

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