International Peace Day

Thirty years ago, the UN General Assembly declared September 21st to be an International Day of Peace.  The UN envisions this day as one where people and organizations observe the day with celebrations and educational programs promoting peace  and that all nations participate in a global  ceasefire.

The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace is Make Your Voice Heard.  Mr. Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under-Secretay-General for Communications, spoke about the significance of the this year’s celebration, “September 21, 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. As we begin today a 100-day countdown to the observance, we pay tribute to the many civil society activists who lent the strength of their imagination to the institution of this Day.

The United Nations General Assembly declared in 1981 that the Day shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. It invited all Member States, the United Nations system, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples and individuals to commemorate the Day in different ways, especially through all means of education, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the observance of that day.

Education, and the fruits of education, have been central to this observance. Young women and men everywhere are demonstrating the power of connection by reaching out to each other, and rallying together, in the common cause of the dignity and human rights to which their peoples aspire.

It is in tribute to them, and the spirit they represent, that we have chosen this year, under the overall idea of Peace and Democracy, the theme of “Make Your Voice Heard.” The United Nations stands ready to work with the peoples in whose name the International Day of Peace was established to secure a world ready for, and worthy of, the peace that is essential to all creative human endeavour.”

PNC-Minnesota compiled a listing of International Peace Day events in our area:

Minnesota
11:30 am, Today
Flash Mob for World Peace
We are creating a flash mob giving FREE HUGS FOR WORLD PEACE. Wear your peace t-shirts! It will be videotaped!
IDS Crystal Court
8th St & Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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5:30 pm, Today
Annual Peace Day Event
Children, parents and teachers will gather around our Peace Pole today to celebrate International Peace Day. Children will sing songs of peace and plant Pinwheels for Peace in the garden.
1500 Edgewood Blvd
North Mankato, Minnesota

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7:00 pm, Today
Women on the Front Line: War, Trauma & Remorse
Helen Benedict, author of The Lonely Soldier, will be speaking about why and how war stories are different when they are told by women soldiers. She will discuss the experiences of women at war, and what they have to say about war, violence, and peace.
University of St. Thomas
O’Shaughnessy Educational Center Auditorium
St. Paul, Minnesota
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8:00 pm, Today
Peace day 108 Sun Salutations
A small yoga community gathers to practice 108 Sun Salutations with the intention of peace for all.
Snap Fitness 4th Street
Staples, Minnesota
Aikido Peace Week Training and 15 yr anniversary of the Shuharikan Dojo
Join fellow Aiki schools (Way of Harmony) for a Friendship Training get-together and celebration of our 15 year anniversary in St. Paul. Training on Sat., Sept. 24 from approx. 10:30 to 12:30pm. More activities will be held all week.
265 W. 7th Street, 3rd Floor
St. Paul, Minnesota

Iowa
11:55 am, Today
Rally for Peace
We will gather for ten minutes in solidarity with those fighting to make peace a way of life around the world. At noon a minute of silence will be observed, as requested by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Water St.
Winnebago St.
Decorah, Iowa
http://neipjc.org

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7:15pm, Today
Free Yoga Classes at Twisted Root Yoga Studio
All the Yoga classes at Twisted Root Yoga Studio will be free on Wednesday, September 21, 2011 in honor of peace day. There will be a special class at 7:15 pm for anyone who has never been to a yoga class. Find peace in mind, body, and spirit via yoga.
331 Bluff Street
Dubuque, Iowa
http://twistedrootyoga.net

Wisconsin
12:00 noon, Today
Echo Valley Hope’s Celebration of International Day of Peace & Forgiveness
Echo Valley Hope hosts a day of prayer and celebration with the high energy gypsy music of Fishtank Ensemble and singer/songwriter Christine Costanzo.
E14604 County Road F
Ontario, Wisconsin
http://www.echovalleyhope.org

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3:15 pm, Today
Celebrate Peace
Peace Day program to promote community, world and inner peace. Yoga/tai chi demos, music, origami, writing, reading, crafts and music for all ages.
820 East Main Street
Eagle, Wisconsin, United States
http://www.alicebaker.lib.wi.us/

Michigan
All Week
Week of Peace Education/ UN International Day of Peace in Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Public Schools by Board Proclamation will encourage the observance of UN IDP classroom and school activities throughout the week and on the 21st. Program encouraged by the Institute for Global Education since 1984.
Grand Rapids Public Schools, 1331 Franklin St. SE,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
http://InstituteforGlobalEducation.org

North Dakota
8:00 pm, Today
Peace Bonfire
A celebration of International Peace Day that brings light to this special day and fosters dialogue and mutual understanding of others. FREE pizza and lemonade will be provided. Everyone is welcome!
3450 University Ave
Grand Forks, North Dakota