PEACE DAY PHILLY 2021

PEACE DAY PHILLY 2021www.peacedayphilly.org#peacedayphilly

Table of Contents1About Peace Day Philly22021 Global Theme3Community Activities4Arts Activities5Peace Day In Your Classroom6Ideas for Elementary School Age7Ideas for Middle School Age8Ideas for High School Age9Social Media@peacedayphilly

What is Peace Day Philly ?Peace Day Philly is the local initiative for the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 21.The organization encourages, collaborates on, and offers programs and activities related to personal,local, and global peace and justice on and around September 21. Millions of people across the countryand around the world observe Peace Day. 150 local organizations have taken part in Peace Day Phillyover the past 10 years.Why Get Involved In Peace Day ?By getting involved, you will be joining with people of all ages around the world engaging inactivities to build peace and justice on the same global day. By involving your organization,you will benefit by using Peace Day as a platform for your work related to peace and justice.What Can You Do ?View ourvideo here:There are many peace and justice activities that people andorganizations can create for Peace Day. Here are just a few:Host a gathering aroundcommunity issuesObserve the global minuteof silence at noon (in all timezones across the world on 9/21)Have kids make peacepledges and peace artOrganize a panel discussionrelated to peace and justicePeace Day Philly activities can take place in schools, community centers, parks, organizations, andhomes. These diverse actions on and around Peace Day can have an impact far beyond one day.Schedule your activity Sept. 14 - Sept. 21 to be a part of Peace Day Philly - we’ll add your program toand acknowledge your organization on our website. You and your staff can also attend one of ourfree online or in-person programs.Find more ideas for getting involved here:www.peacedayphilly.org/what-can-you-do

INTRODUCING THE 2021GLOBAL PEACE DAY THEME."We must be reminded thatwe are not each other’s enemy.To be able to recover from thedevastation of the pandemic, wemust make peace with one another."- UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio GuterresTo learn more about the UN International Day of Peaceand Peace Day Philly, go to:www.peacedayphilly.org

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIESPEACE DAY PHILLY 2021Here are some suggestions for community peace activities,though you are encouraged to create your own that reflectthe vision and hopes of your own community! Activities,online and in-person, can take place September 14 September 21 to be a part of Peace Day Philly.Observe the global minuteof silence at noon (in all timezones across the world)Gather together communitymembers, leaders, police,and youth for a peace & unitymarch or dialogueWrite an Op-Ed about thechallenges to peace inyour community andpaths to greater peaceOrganize an online orin-person peace vigilor interfaith dialogueDoes your communityhave a garden? Take afew hours to tend to itHost an online or in-persondiscussion about police& community relationsReach out to someoneon your block that mightneed a kind word or noteOrganize a neighborhoodclean-up in yourcommunity#peaceday is Sept. 21Give youth a chance to share theirthoughts on topics of race and equalityDance, sing, and play music in thespirit of PEACE!Do Chalk 4 Peace and other peacecrafts with kids in your home orcommunity. Go here for more art ideas:Purchase and “Plant” a Peace Polewith “May Peace Prevail on Earth”written on different languages.Learn more about Peace Poles here:

ARTS ACTIVITIESPEACE DAY PHILLY 2021Here are some suggestions for peace art activities,though you are encouraged to create your own that reflectyour creative vision! Activities, online and in-person, cantake place September 14 - September 21 to be a part ofPeace Day Philly.Using the 2021 Global Peace Daytheme, Recovering Better for anEquitable and Sustainable World,create a piece of poetry or art#peaceday is Sept. 21Involve children inmaking Pinwheelsfor PeaceExperience the photoessay “We Will Breathe”from the Global OnenessProjectTake part in theglobal Peace CraneProjectOrder and show one ofthe free social justicevideos from Learning forJusticeEngage yourneighborhood orschool in the PeaceFlag ProjectHost a gathering at yourschool or community centerwith foods of different culturesCreate a peace pledgewith artwork and writingCreate a peace collage withwords & images of peaceCreate an interculturaldance performanceCreate a peace banner withwords & images of peaceand hang in your communitycenter or school

BUILD PEACE WITHIN YOURSCHOOL OR COMMUNITY!The United Nations International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observed globally each year on(and around) September 21. Set aside 10 minutes, 1 hour, or more on this date to engage youth inactivities that build awareness, understanding, and respect. Peace art activities can inspire andenhance your hallways, discussions about race can build understanding, a collaborative class peacepledge can define positive expectations, and learning about people and cultures fromdifferent parts of the world can build compassion.Here are a few easy& free ideas to bringbring peace intoyour school orcommunity:1Try peace breathing!2Experience the photo essay “We Will Breathe” sparkedby the murder of George Floyd and discuss theimages, from the Global Oneness Project.3Create peace flags, peace cranes, or a collaborativecollage with words and images of peace! You can findthese and many other peace art ideas here as well.4Organize a peace march or apeace-themed block party or gatheringTeachers: Check outthe value of mindfulnessfor kids in this important40-minute videoFind more ideas in the“What Can You Do?” section ofwww.peacedayphilly.org

PEACE DAYACTIVITY IDEASfor Elementary School StudentsThe United Nations International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observed worldwide on (and around)September 21. Peace Day provides a powerful opportunity for students to consider the conceptof positive peace and how they can be active peacebuilders in their world.1Try out Peace Breathing!2Observe a minute of silencein the spirit of our desire for peace.3Draw/write a Peace Pledge (see template).4Create a collaborative peace poster or collage withimages and words that communicate peace. Display itin a prominent place in the classroom/school.5Share an act of kindness (a kind note or drawing)with a classmate or teacher. Kindness goes far!67Create and displayPeace Flags.Talk about bullying. What is it? How can you helpyourself or someone else who is being bullied?Find more ideas in the “What Can You Do?” section ofwww.peacedayphilly.orgWatch “I Will Be aHummingbird” andtalk/write about itRead amulticulturalbook aboutpeaceTeachers: Use oneof the lessons from“Teaching Tolerance”

PEACE DAYACTIVITY IDEASfor Middle School StudentsThe United Nations International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observed worldwide on (and around)September 21. Peace Day provides a powerful opportunity for students to consider the conceptof positive peace and how they can be active peacebuilders in their world.Follow @peacedayphilly on Twitter. Share your peace actions and photosthat speak peace to you during the week of Sept. 14 on social media using:#peacedayphilly1Try out Peace Breathing!2Engage in acts ofkindness towards otherstudents and teachersthrough kind words or athoughtful note.3#peacedayWrite peace poetry usinghaikus or free prose,and then presentthem to your class.Observe a minute of silencein the spirit of our desire for peace.Create a peaceposter based on thisyear’s global theme.45Peace Day is an important day worldwide for humanitarianaid and service. Organize or take part in a local service project.How does helping others build peace and greater understanding?Find more ideas in the “What Can You Do?” section ofwww.peacedayphilly.orgLearn more aboutthe UN’s SustainableDevelopment GoalsMake and giveaway peacecranes!Teachers: Use oneof the lessons from“Teaching Tolerance”

PEACE DAYACTIVITY IDEASfor High School StudentsThe United Nations International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observedworldwide on (and around) September 21. Peace Day provides a powerfulopportunity for students to consider the concept of positive peaceand how they can be active peacebuilders in their world.Follow @peacedayphilly on Twitter. Share your peace actions and photosthat speak peace to you during the week of Sept. 14 on social media using:#peacedayphilly1#peacedayUse class time sometime during the week of Sept. 14 todiscuss cyberbullying. Collaboratively write a class peace pledgethat relates to the global 2021 Peace Day theme.3Write a poem or essay related to theglobal 2021 Peace Day theme.2Observe a minute of silence in the spirit of our desire for peace.Reach out to local officials via Twitter or letter totell them what peace means to you in your community.54Invite someone who is doing non-violence or social justicework for a special assembly or interactive workshop.What are the challenges to creating a more peaceful world?What kind of actions can students take to make a difference?Find more ideas in the “What Can You Do?” section ofwww.peacedayphilly.orgLearn more aboutthe UN’s SustainableDevelopment GoalsMake and giveaway peacecranes!Teachers: Use oneof the lessons from“Teaching Tolerance”

PEACE BREATHINGThe ability to calm yourself, improve concentration and think clearly. It all starts with breathing.inhale. WORLDexhale. PEACEWe are always breathing!But is your breathing shallow or deep? Create good breathing habits by breathing deeply every day.Anyone can do Peace Breathing. Give it a try.Share it with others.Practice Peace Breathing regularly to: Improve your ability to concentrate and think clearlyCalm yourself before a test or presentationReduce arguments and negative reactionsDevelop good breathing habits for increased energyand better health Gain a larger perspective by thinking of peace for the world1. Sit up and begin to notice your breathing. For less distraction,you can close your eyes.2. Place one hand on your stomach and inhale slowly and quietlythrough your nose, feeling your stomach move out (this is not a bigmotion). Pause for a moment.3. Exhale slowly and quietly through your nose, feeling yourPeace Breathe on the move! With your eyesstomach move in (this is not a big motion). Repeat for 3 breaths.open, try World Peace Breathing when4. Rest both hands on your lap. Inhale slowly and quietly theou’re at home, on the street, in the halls,same way as before, thinking “world.” Pause for a moment.waiting in line, riding the bus, playing5. Exhale slowly and quietly the same as before, thinking “peace.”sports, etc. With Peace Breathing On theRepeat “World Peace” Breathing for seven breaths or more.Move, you can defuse stressful situations6. Once you are accustomed to Peace Breathing, start frombefore they escalate.step 4. Make a goal to do at least seven breaths a day.PEACE DAY PHILLYpersonal local global

MY PEACE PLEDGEI will respect myself and others in my words and actions.I will make amends when I make choices that are not peaceful.I will seek out opportunities to build peace and make apositive difference in my school and community.I will reject bullying, discrimination, and cultural insensitivity,and stand in support of the right to peace for anyone beingbullied.I will consider others and the environment when I make dailychoices.Name:School:Grade:Date:PEACE DAY PHILLYpersonal local global

MY PEACE PLEDGEAge:First Name:PEACE DAY PHILLY