PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Eight days of activities are slated, leading up to Philadelphia’s observance of International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.
Peace Day, established by the United Nations in 1981, is designed to get people thinking about how to make the world more harmonious.
A week of mostly online events ranging from discussions on policing to having civil conversations begins Tuesday. Fifteen discussions, panels and performances are planned over the next eight days.
Philadelphia public schools are getting involved in Peace Day this year. Principals have received toolkits suggesting ways students at all grade levels can promote harmony and tranquility. Younger students may draw peace posters, while high school students can discuss cyberbullying.
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"Some of the things are the same — even from a kindergartener to a tenth grader. Like, how can you be a peacebuilder in your world? Asking that question," Peace Day Philly founder Lisa Parker told KYW Newsradio.
"The schools and teachers who have done it think it's a great way to begin the school year with talking about respect and not bullying others and being mindful about your actions in the world. All of those things can create a much more positive school climate."
Local Peace Day activities include a workshop on civil conversation and a program involving Philadelphia police called Peace on the Streets. The centerpiece of Philadelphia's Peace Day observance is a worldwide moment of reflection, held at noon on Sept. 21 at Rittenhouse Square.
Reaching the goal of world peace, Parker said, begins with each person becoming more peaceful to others.
"If I can see that person as my equal," she said, "if I can understand their point of view, then that creates more peace."