"Peace can be obtained If people only knew how to listen, communicate, understand, consider and adjust." Evonne Grace Sosas, (World Peace Day participant in the Philippines)
The United Nations’ International Day of Peace was officially observed on Monday, September 21. The U.N.-designated annual day of peace is a call for the absence of war and violence in all areas of the world.
Play for Peace Clubs around the world celebrated World Peace Day with nine events in six countries: Guatemala, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Sudan and the United States. By the time the final celebration of World Peace Day takes place in October, 20 Play for Peace Clubs will have participated.
Here in Bartlett, Illinois, USA, Play for Peace hosted a Walk for Peace that began with a Bubble Run and a Peace Fire that was lit by Play for Peace founders Michael Terrien and Craig Dobkin. It was followed by activities and games, and an International Food Festival that featured 10 different cuisines.
While the form each celebration took was slightly different, Play for Peace Clubs around the world brought children together from different schools and communities for a day of cooperative games, food and other activities. Globally, Play for Peace World Peace Day Celebrations in September included the following:
- Cebu, Philippines, celebrated World Peace Day on Sept. 13 and Sept. 19 with students from four different schools, who played cooperative games and participated in other activities. They will also host a larger celebration in October.
- In Guatemala, multiple Play for Peace Clubs around the country walked in their cities on Sept. 19 to their central parks and created artwork, and celebrated the event with games and food.
- In Mumbai, India, the Play for Peace Club sponsored by Khula Aasman and a team of local doctors hosted an event on Sept. 21 for approximately 200 youth and children from the slums of Mumbai.
- Play for Peace Clubs from Hyderabad, India, hosted celebrations on Sept. 21 with orphaned children in Secunderabad. They also invited children from two other orphanages to join their celebration. The event included crafts, games, food, and a Walk for Peace.
- Five Clubs in Delhi, India, hosted a celebration on Sept. 21 with children, youth and adults from marginalized communities. They walked to local historical places such as India Gate and visited orphanages, homes for the elderly, and prisons to conduct Practice Peace Sessions.
- The Play for Peace Club hosted by Starfish Pakistan held a World Peace Day Celebration in Youhanabad, Lahore Pakistan, with two schools, a school system, a home for orphan girls and a home for children with special needs. They held a peace walk on the main street of Youhanabad. Visit the Starfish Blog for more information and photos!
- In South Sudan, the Play for Peace Club celebrated World Peace Day in Juba by engaging students and teachers at the Seventh Day Adventist Primary School in cooperative games.
We are thrilled that so many different Play for Peace Clubs came together to host World Peace Day Celebrations this year across communities and cultures, celebrating what Play for Peace is all about. We hope that more clubs will host World Peace Day Celebrations next year!
