Each year the United Nations International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21st. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. We all have a role to play in fostering peace. We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.
Monday, September 21, 2020, 4 pm to 5 pm (ARCHIVED)
Virtual Observance
You can watch the celebration of 2020 UN International Day of Peace here. Thank you to all who joined us.
Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the UN International Day of Peace provides a globally-shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace and to build a Culture of Peace. The 2020 theme is “Shaping Peace Together.”
This is our third year celebrating Peace in partnership with Eden Interfaith Council and Samuel Merritt University’s Ethnic Health Institute. There will be a sharing of messages/prayers, songs, and reflections on Shaping Peace in a rapidly changing world. Our interdependence and active cooperation is especially needed in these times to build a world of respect, justice, and safety for all peoples.
The Peace Day celebration is sponsored by the Regional Parks Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and East Bay Regional Park District.
Resources
» https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace
» https://internationaldayofpeace.org
» https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-peace/
» International Day of Peace Event Flyer [PDF]
Our Community's Pledge for Peace
- We pledge to build a just, loving, compassionate, and inclusive world that embraces diversity, including age, race, gender, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientation, religions, and political leanings.
- We pledge to see and respect each other. We welcome and value diverse cultures, faith traditions, and perspectives.
- We pledge to do more listening to better understand one another - siblings, children, parents, colleagues, neighbors, and community members.
- We pledge to reject violence including bullying and racism; and we stand in support of anyone or community being targeted.
- We pledge to protect and heal our life-giving lands, forests, rivers, oceans, wildlife, and habitats.
- We commit, every day, to do our best to be active peace builders in our schools, workplaces, communities, parks, cities, and our world.
Agenda
» Virtual Observance
| UN International Day of Peace | Monday, September 21, 2020, 4pm to 5pm | ||
| Time | Item | Presenter |
| 4:00 - 4:02 | EBRPD introduces co-hosts: Samuel Merritt University Ethnic Health Institute and Eden Area Interfaith Council | Mona Koh, EBRPD; Leslie Brown, SMU EHI; Julie Greenfield, EDIC |
| 4:03 - 4:05 | Blowing of Shofar (ram's horn) to awaken and gather together communities to celebrate World Peace Day | Diana Zankowsky, David Schulberg |
| 4:05 - 4:11 | Warm Welcome & Peace Message | • Dennis Waespi, EBRPD Board Member • Jess Brown, Regional Parks Foundation Board President |
| 4:11 - 4:15 | Message/Prayer | Rev. Stevie Stennis, Chaplain SMU/ABSMC |
| 4:15 - 4:18 | Song - Moving Forward | Kokou Katamani |
| 4:18 - 4:23 | Message | Fatima Chaudhary, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center |
| 4:23 - 4:28 | Message and Tai Chi Deep Breathing | David Wei |
| 4:28 - 4:30 | Message/Prayer | Jaiwant Virk |
| 4:30 - 4:35 | Song | Leonard D Pete, St. Benedict Catholic Church |
| 4:35 - 4:40 | Message | David Gaines, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center |
| 4:40 - 4:45 | Song - Mother Earth | Kokou Katamani |
| 4:45 - 4:50 | Songs - Put a Little Love in Your Heart; Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin With Me | Stacy Carter |
| 4:50 - 4:57 | Peace Pledge | Leslie Brown, SMU EHI |
| 4:57 - 5:00 | Thank You. May Peace Prevail on Earth. | Dennis Waespi, EBRPD Board Member |
