Chestertown, MD — The Chestertown Peace Alliance, the Kent County Arts Council, the Community Mediation Center, and the Center for Environment & Society (CES) at Washington College are observing Peace Day at Chestertown's Fountain Park on Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. The celebration includes live music, educational exhibits, the lighting of a Unity Candle, and welcoming remarks by Mayor Margo Bailey, Dr. J. David Newell, and Dr. Kevin Brien. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 410/778-7295 or contact jfairchild2@washcoll.edu.
The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations, and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. Established by a United Nations resolution, the first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the celebration.
By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the UN Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:
"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. May peace prevail on Earth."
Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.
Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.
International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire—personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.
September 3, 2008
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