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
September 19, 2008
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
