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Vermont Peace Academy
Promoting
the Teaching, Learning, and Practice of Peace
Vermont Peace Academy 802-454-8311 (ext. 344)
c/o Goddard College vpa@goddard.edu
Plainfield, VT 05667 www.vermontpeaceacademy.org
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
United Nations, New York
Download a PDF of
this Event 
Vermont Peace Academy and Children of
the Earth invite students and teachers to the
United Nations to attend a world-wide ceremony
on International Day of Peace. This year's ceremony
will be on Friday, September 18th and not only
mark a day of “global
cease-fire and non-violence”, it will also involve
the United Nations Messengers of Peace. Last year
Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Midori Goto, Yo-Yo
Ma, and Elie Wiesel attended the commemoration
and interacted with students participating.
More information for teachers and
students can be found on the following websites:
Following opening remarks by Secretary-General
Ban Ki-Moon and the President of the 64 th General
Assembly, the program will feature short, live
videos depicting the daily life of young people
in some of the peacekeeping missions around the
world. This will be followed by a discussion between
the youths in New York and those assembled at peacekeeping
video sites.
The state of Vermont
has taken a leading role in promoting Peace Day
programs and activities state-wide. Governor
James Douglas signed an executive proclamation
in support of the International Day of Peace
stating, “Vermonters
share a common interest with people around the
world in promoting a more peaceful way of life
for ourselves, our families, communities and nations.”
Over the past
6 years Vermont students have been inspired by
this day. Amelia Hagen-Dillon was encouraged
to work for peace when she saw the UN dignitaries
believing in the student's power to change the
world. Amelia stated, “To see them
believing in us as young people, and knowing that's
where to start and get the message across—they
just had so much faith in us.”
The world flag
ceremony also inspired Vermont youth in meaningful
ways as they realized how small the world truly
is. Nola Parker shared her feelings, “Just to
be with people from other countries that were
clapping while we were clapping gave me a better
sense that we're all connected. It was very positive.”
Jane Hill, a chaperone
from Orchard Valley School expressed the fact
that the eighth grade students “were inspired
by the brave and selfless deeds of their contemporaries
working in different ways toward peace and a
higher quality of life for the world's poor.
We have begun a dialogue with each other and
within our own hearts on how we can make a difference
and promote world peace."
Each year, Vermont youth not only
generate new ideas about how to build upon this
one day of peace but they walk away from their
experience at the United Nations empowered to be
the change they want to see in the world.
We would like
to extend an invitation to have students from
your school join us. The cost is $85.00 – $150.00.
This year we anticipate taking six to eight schools
with about five students and a mentor from each.
Some partial scholarships are available. The
trip is being offered on a first come-first served
basis. If you are interested, please contact
Sally Black by email or phone for more information
or to reserve a space.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
United Nations, New York
Vermont
Peace Academy (VPA) is pleased to announce that
we received an invitation from United Nations
to participate in the Department of Public Information's
11th annual student observance of
the International Day of Peace on Friday,
September 19, 2008. The
satellite video-conference event from 10am
- 12:30pm (New York time) will bring
together about 600 middle and high school students
at United Nations Headquarters with others at
participating sites in United Nations peacekeeping
missions around the world.
This year's student
ceremony to mark the "international day of global
cease-fire, non-violence and the culture of peace" will
also involve as many of the United Nations Messengers
of Peace as are available to attend. Last
year Michael Douglas, Elie Weisel and Dr. Jane Goodall
attended the commemoration and interacted with students
participating from the field as well as at United
Nations Headquarters.
Following opening remarks
by Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the President
of the 63rd General Assembly, the program
will feature short videos depicting the daily life
at home and at school, of young people in some of
the peacekeeping missions around the world. This
will be followed by a discussion between the youths
in New
York and those assembled
at peacekeeping video sites, concerning projects
in which each is involved locally.
The state of Vermont took
a leading role in promoting Peace Day programs and
activities around the state of Vermont. In 2003, Governor James H. Douglas signed
an executive proclamation in support of the International
Day of Peace stating, "Vermonters share a common
interest with people around the world in promoting
a more peaceful way of life for ourselves, or families,
communities and nations."
Vermont students
were truly inspired by the United Nations event. Amelia Hagen-Dillon,
18, was inspired to work for peace when she saw the
UN dignitaries believing in the students' power to
change the world. Amelia stated, "To
see them believing in us as minors, as young people,
and knowing that's where to start and get the message
across-they just had so much faith in us."
The world flag
ceremony also inspired Vermont youth in meaningful
ways as they realized how small the world truly is. Nola Parker, 16, shared her feelings: "Just
to be with people from other countries that were
clapping while we were clapping gave me a better
sense that we're all connected. It was very positive."
Jane
Hill, a chaperone from Orchard Valley School expressed
the fact that the eighth grade students "were inspired
by the brave and selfless deeds of their contemporaries
working in different ways toward peace and a higher
quality of life for the world's poor. We have begun
a dialogue with each other and within our own hearts
on how we can make a difference and promote world
peace."
We
would like to have five to six schools with about five students and a mentor from each to
join us. The trip to New York City will begin at midnight on September 19, 2008 and will return the evening
of the 19th. Cost per person will be approximately $80. Some
scholarships are available. The
trip is being offered on a first come-first served
basis. If you are interested, please contact
Ms. Donovan by email or phone for more information
or to reserve a space.
Email: pvaddonovan@gmx.com
Phone: 802-274-9150
International
Day of Peace:
• TXT 4 Peace
• Guidelines
• Peace Quotes and NGOs
• UN Secretary General Message
• UN Press Release
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