ECUMENICAL RESOURCES

International Day of Peace – 21 September 2009

Suggestions for activities for schools and parishes

1. A discussion promoted by viewing the peace windows of Cairns Cathedral - see The Peace Windows and/or visit  http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/Places/StMonicasCathedral/PeaceWindows/PeaceWindows.html
   Posters may be purchased from the cathedral or viewed on line.
2. Create a peace pole: http://www.peacepoleproject.org/peacepoleproject.html Peace poles can be crafted locally.
3. Adelaide born, Gillian Hicks, was severely injured in the London terrorism bombings of July 7, 2005.  As a result of this, Gillian has taken on the role of ambassador for peace with Peace Direct and established her own charity called M.A.D for peace.
   Material on Peace Direct and Mad for Peace can be researched through the following web links www.peacedirect.org  and www.madforpeace.org
   Gillian has lived and worked in London since 1992, is married to Joe Kerr and now spends her days working towards Peace in many ways. As a result of her work, Gillian was awarded the MBE.
4. Books list can be used with other sources for school to promote discussion
5. Songs and music: 
   Many song writers have written songs about peace. What songs do you know that talk about peace and of people living in harmony? Which songs can you think of that follow this theme?
   Consider the music of popular artists. Eg John Lennon, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Cat Stevens, The Seekers.
   Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me was written by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller at a retreat in 1955.
6. Have you seen a film that makes you think about peace?
7. Psychologists for peace give an annual award for peace books. Lists can be found at http://www.groups.psychology.org.au
8. The following website has descriptions of peace symbols, as well as songs which may promote further discussion  http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/Isongs.html
9. Act for Peace
   You may also like to become involved in an ongoing way as an Act for Peace Partner. Act for Peace is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia.  It is the work of the churches together across Australian and works with partners, wherever conflicts occur, empowering communities to:
   - reduce poverty through community food security, livelihoods, health and education programs
   - protect refugees and displaced people by managing safe refugee camps
   - prevent conflicts through facilitating peace, reconciliation and disarmament processes
   For more information www.actforpeace.org.au
10. To find or promote Peace Day events anywhere in the world, go to http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/ and click on "Participate!" to locate an event or post information. And explore the rest of the site to learn more about Peace Day and how to get involved.
11. For more information about International Day of Prayer for Peace World Council of Churches - http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/upcoming-events/ev/se/article/1722/international-day-of-pray.html