Peace: Want It? Make It.
What is Peace Day @ UW?
Beginnings--
In 2001, the United Nations fixed September 21st as the annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence--The International Day of Peace. One of the major forces behind establishing this "peace day" was Jeremy Gilley, a British documentary filmmaker. His organization, Peace One Day, has worked tirelessly to make the International Day of Peace more than just a box on a calendar. In 2007 they successfully quieted the guns in Afghanistan to administer the polio vaccine to 1.4 million children. In 2008, NATO forces and the Taliban ceased hostilities for the day, and another 1.8 million children were vaccinated. Inspired by Jeremy Gilley's work, Todd Brogan and Levi Prombaum, along with other individuals and organizations, organized Peace Day @ UW 2008, a non-partisan, non-profit event. The Peace Day @ UW Committee intends to commemorate the day every year with larger and improved celebrations of Peace Day. The goal is quite simple--to not only raise awareness of the Day, but to mobilize people to get involved with it. Professors, student organizations, churches and community members are contributing extensively to the planning process, positioning Peace Day to be a very successful event year after year.
Events in 2008 included a rally with Madison peace activist Frank Paynter, award-winning UW professor Howard Schweber, a moment of silence and ringing of bells, and a screening of "The Day After Peace," a documentary of Gilley's efforts to establish the International Day of Peace. The rally was attended by more than 115 students and community members.
Activities--
In addition to planning Peace Day commemorations each year, the Peace Day @ UW Committee hosts and participates in events that demonstrate the practical side of peace and breaks down the barriers between university and community, theist and non-theist, conservative and liberal, and other seemingly adversarial groups at UW and in Madison.
By opening an account uwpeaceday.ning.com, you become a member of the Peace Day @ UW Committee, a registered student organization. You can create groups for members of your organization to consider their involvement, participate in positive and constructive forum discussions about plans for the Day, and inform yourself and others about the International Day of Peace. We need your help now. Please join us and together we can make peace a priority.
Best wishes,
Todd Brogan and the Peace Day @ UW Executive Committee
By opening an account uwpeaceday.ning.com, you become a member of the Peace Day @ UW Committee, a registered student organization. You can create groups for members of your organization to consider their involvement, participate in positive and constructive forum discussions about plans for the Day, and inform yourself and others about the International Day of Peace. We need your help now. Please join us and together we can make peace a priority.
Best wishes,
Todd Brogan and the Peace Day @ UW Executive Committee
Last updated by Todd Sep. 24, 2008.
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