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.
Saturday, September 18, 2021 (ARCHIVED)
10:00 am to 1:30 pm
Lake Chabot Regional Park
17600 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Download: 2021 Event Flyer [PDF]
At the September 21, 2021 Board Meeting, Board Director Dennis Waespi presented highlights from the event. Watch his presentation here (2:08:03). View photos. View EVENT video.
Event Details
This event is our fourth year celebrating the UN International Day of Peace at the Park District. There will be a host of activities: sharing of messages by youth, prayers from faith leaders, songs, and reflections 0n 2021 theme Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world. Our active collaboration and empathy is needed in these difficult times to build a world of peace, understanding, respect, equity, and safety for all peoples.
There will be an unveiling of the PEACE POLE – a symbol of the hopes and dreams of the global family for Peace on Earth. The Peace Pole is 12' tall, showcasing 31 languages, including Chochenyo, Nahuatl, American Sign language, and Braille. Learn more about the Lake Chabot Peace Pole. View EVENT video.
Activities: Peace messages, singing, drumming, arts and crafts, light lunch, 30-minute walk alongside lake.
Wear and Bring
- Your favorite multicultural outfit (dress, shirt, vest, a scarf, shawl, hat, accessories)
- Light jacket as temperatures may vary through the day
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Face mask
- Sunscreen
- Plenty of water (Bring your own bottle!)
Sponsors: Regional Parks Foundation and East Bay Regional Park District
Community Partners: Eden Area Interfaith Council, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center, UNA East Bay Chapter, Samuel Merritt University – Ethnic Health Institute
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.
» 2020 UN International Day of Peace
Global Citizen Award
On October 24, 2021, we received the Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association USA, East Bay and Silicon Valley Chapters at the virtual 76th UN Day celebration. See Award Presentation (full version)
The Global Citizen Award recognizes the Park District's contributions to the United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the essential services we provided throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 UN International Day of Peace (Archived)
Saturday, September 18
10:00 am to 1:30 pm
9:30 am | Registered attendees check-in |
10:00 am | Blowing of Shofar (ram’s horn) by Diana Zankowsky, Eden Area Interfaith Council, to gather together participants and begin ceremony |
10:12 am | Welcome by EBRPD Board Director Dennis Waespi |
10:13 am | Vice Chairwoman of Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area Monica V. Arellano |
10:16 am | Regional Parks Foundation Board Member Keith White |
10:17 am | United Nations Association-USA, East Bay Chapter, Board Member Melinda Howard-Herrarte |
10:18 am | Peace message, Gurmeet Singh, Gurdwara Sahib -- Hayward and EAIC |
10:19 am | Peace Songs, children from Bahai Castro Valley |
10:23 am | Peace message, Marcel Patterson, Jr., student |
10:27 am | Peace message, Kim Vanderheiden, Pax Christi Castro Valley |
10:28 am | Peace message, Jayda Gray, student, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center |
10:32 am | Peace Songs, Kokou Katamani and Bruce Burger, musicians |
10:37 am | Peace message, Favour Asu, student, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center |
10:41am | Peace message, Vince Hall, My Peak Fitness |
10:43 am | Peace story, Four Harmonious Friends from Buddhist tradition, Liz Nichols, storyteller |
10:46 am | Form small groups to discuss peace action |
11:00 am | Sharing from groups |
11:06 am | Peace message, Anka Bolorsukh, student, Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center |
11:10 am | Peace message, Bishop Robert, Eden Area interfaith Council |
11:11 am | Children share their peace drawings. Arts and crafts table supplied and supported by the Baháʼí Community of Castro Valley. |
11:16 am | Peace Songs, Bruce Burger and Kokou Katamani |
11:20 am | Director Waespi concludes ceremony with appreciation to all. Reading of Peace Pledge. |
11:22 am | Adjourn to PEACE POLE for unveiling and singing. |
11:27 am | Director Waespi introduces Peace Pole and Lake Chabot staff |
11:28 am | Park Supervisor Tamie Andrews and team; message, unveiling of Peace Pole |
11:40 am | Peace Song, Kokou Katamani and Bruce Burger |
11:46 am | Peace, Joy, and Laughter, Liz Nichols |
| 11:50 am | Group Photo |
12:00 pm | Lunch |
12:25 pm | Peace Walk led by Director Waespi |
1:30 pm | May Peace Prevail on Earth. Peace be with you till we meet again on World Peace Day 2022. |