By: Emma Pfister
What does peace look like to you, your community, and your country?
These were the questions I reflected on while joining the Chicagoland community and international delegates at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. Together, we celebrated the 47th annual United Nations International Day of Peace. Members of Chicago’s Consular Corp joined local public-school students to declare peace in each of the 193 UN member states in the world.
Signs were held and flags were waved as each country, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, were acknowledged with “Peace in!” being shouted. Speakers, including Chicago’s own Mayor Brandon Johnson, reminded attendees of how we can contribute to a more peaceful world. Dancers from Xochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance, and St. Cyril and Methodius of Chicago North Macedonian Folk Dance showed off their cultural dress and provided a vibrant energy to the gathered crowd.
This Peace Day celebration would not be here if it weren’t for the efforts of the Peace School who hosted the first event in 1978. Since then, the celebration has expanded to incorporate the local and international community alike.
Jennifer Kim, Director of the Peace School, mentioned that “Peace includes a sense of stillness and calm, but not of weakness or inaction. Peace is strong and connects us to our deepest self, where we experience wholeness and recognize our very best characteristics.” She went on to share that a community expresses peace through respect, grace, words and actions to help encourage others.
Throughout the day, Greenheart staff members volunteered in a variety of positions to assist with the smooth running of the program. From helping to set up the event, communicating with consular members, and sharing resources about Greenheart, our staff was able to help promote peace in our communities, our country, and our world.
Marcelle Benedicta, Vice President of Marketing and External Relations at Greenheart, writes that “We are living in a world where there seems to be an endless challenge to find peace in this world. But it does start with oneself. When you have inner peace, you are better equipped to handle life’s challenges. This is important because it can lead to improved mental health, better relationships, and increased self-esteem.”
As Greenheart Exchange encourages all their participants to volunteer while on program, Deleshiya Surapogu, a Greenheart exchange high school student from India attended the event. She mentions that “Inner peace can lead to more compassionate and patient interactions with others. When individuals are at peace, they are less likely to engage in conflict and more likely to contribute positively to their community through acts of kindness, empathy, and cooperation.”
All the flags being waved during the event were a great representation and reminder that our world is more than just one country. This was a sentiment shared by both Jennifer and Marcelle with Jennifer mentioning that “even though I’ve seen it so many times, experiencing the World Peace Flag Ceremony always touches me deeply.” Marcelle shared that the flags are “a powerful visual that shows that peace is possible, and we need to strive for it.”
Deleshiya shares that one of her favorite aspects of the celebration was that it gave her the chance to partake in “educational activities that teach the importance of conflict resolution and understanding to younger generations.”
By bringing together communities across Chicagoland, especially young students, we are reminded of our responsibility to be active participants of peace in our communities.
How do you celebrate peace?
Learn more about Peace Day or the ongoing advocacy efforts of Greenheart