Celebrate International Day of Peace on the URI Quadrangle
The University of Rhode Island’s Student Nonviolent Involvement Committee and the Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies invite the community to celebrate the International Day of Peace on the Kingston campus quadrangle during two activities, Tuesday, September 21.
The first celebration for Day of Peace at URI runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where everyone is invited to enjoy snacks, music and the opportunity to meet people from across the university community. During this time, those who wish to participate in the featured event, the Peace Flag Project, will create their own unique flag that will fly on the quad along with others made during the day’s celebration. Student organizations are invited to participate while also promoting their organizational activities that promote peace. Interested organizations should contact the Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies at 874-2875.
Then, starting between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the quad, a candlelight vigil will provide the opportunity to walk in silent, peaceful reflection with others. The walk will proceed to each corner of the quad, stopping briefly at each for short, passage readings or group song. Candles will be provided.
According to Peace Flag Project Director Ginny Fox, “The Peace Flag Project provides the opportunity for people to create flags to express their deepest hopes and dreams. Based on the tradition of Tibetan prayer flags, these flags show us the marvelous things we all want for ourselves, our families, our communities, for the people of the world, and for the planet. Flags are created about gratitude, joy, love, peace, health, tolerance, success, reconciliation – beautiful thoughts we too often keep to ourselves. The words and images on the flags reflect our wishes for a kinder, gentler world.”
URI’s Student Nonviolent Involvement Committee President Michaela Cashman, environmental sciences and management major (class of 2012) said, “Last year’s candlelight vigil was beautiful and a wonderful way to close Peace Day. We invite everyone at URI and the larger community to come and spread the message of peace by joining us Tuesday evening in this powerful, collective effort.”
The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982. The observance continues to provide an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.
(For more information about this global observance go to http://internationaldayofpeace.org/about/background.html)