International Day of Peace Alliance

2007 has seen a doubling of the number of events we had last year in Brisbane and nearby regions. THERE ARE TEN DAYS OF COMMEMORATIONS to mark the International Day of Peace, listed below!! These events are orchestrated by the enthusiasm of local individuals, organisations schools and departments. Click on the words hyperlinked to go to an event, a theme, or scroll through the range! Find something to suit and please, take steps to a peace event!

Brisbane City Centre, 'The Origami Project', Computer Donations, Faith Events, Films, Indian Bazaar, Peace Fire, Schools Activities, Stage Performances, Youth Peace Parliament, Pinwheels for Peace, Good News Bulletin, QLD Youth Commemoration of the IDP, Southport Event, Traveling Peace Stones; University of Queensland

National Events

Other States. (NSW) (WA)

Global Initiatives

Brisbane City Centre

CUA Peace Fair ~ Reddacliff Place Upper Queen St Mall, Brisbane. Designed on an interactive theme, visitors will be able to sign the Perennial Peace Sheet On September 21 from 10.30 to 2pm. Make Origami Doves which will be sent to kids in conflict zones around the world. There will be stage performances, a chance to learn and see what people such as Lars Olsen, Young Queenslander of the Year, is doing for Peace in other countries. You will be able to donate to very worthy charities (do your piece for peace) sign petitions, collect your Peace Day ribbon and be part of activities that are going on around the world on this crucial day.

Central City Library ~ Origami classes Wed 19th and Fri 21st Sept; Kite Making Workshop Sat 15th Sept; 'Peace One Day' Film Screening Friday 21st all day in the Tiered Theatrette. Venue 266 George St

Youth Events

Speaker's Green Event - Queensland Youth Commemoration of the IDP ~ School Children from a range of multicultural schools will sing songs, read peace pledges, release balloons and share a Peace Cake on the Speaker’s Green at Parliament House, on the morning of Friday September 21, 10am to 11am. Please arrive early to get through security.

Youth Peace Parliament ~ The second Youth Peace Parliament is well underway, applications have been sent to over 500 Secondary Schools across Queensland. The three day event will run from Monday, 24 to Wednesday 26 Sept. and students will debate peace issues across all levels of society.

Faith Events ~

A Prayer For Peace ~ World Premiere of "A PRAYER FOR PEACE" performed by Maggie Noonan with lyrics by Tyrone Noonan set to the Giazotto/Albinoni Adagio, featuring William Barton (Didgeridoo), Rupert Jeffcoat (Musical Director, St John's Cathedral), Camerata of St John's, St John's Cathedral Boys' Choir, and images by Tim Page. Friday, September 21 8.00pm Venue: St John's Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane Cost: Adults $20, Concession $10, Children $5 (bookings Ph. 3371 8132) click here for flyer

The Multi-Faith Centre at Griffith University will host creative performances from a range of schools, multi-faith prayer readings and reflections. The MFC is celebrating the Peace Day a few days early to promote greater public awareness in the lead-up to the Peace Day. Venue: MFC Building, Nathan Campus Date/Time Monday, Sept 17, 12 -1.30pm Cost: Nil click here for flyer

Quaker Quest ~ Titled ‘Peace’, this is the first in a series of sessions describing The Religious Society of Friends (QUAKERS). Venue: City Library Date/Time September 20 5.45 to 8.45pm Cost: Nil

Shri Ram Chandra Mission in Brisbane and Nationally ~ the public are invited to join in a universal prayer/meditation for peace. The mission is an international, non-profit organisation formally associated with the UN Dept of Public information. A simple practice of Raja Yoga called Sahaj Marg, the practice involves directing one's attention towards one's heart where the spiritual impulse for love, goodness and solidarity resides. Activity includes 8-minute showing of Peace One Day DVD. Venue: 982 Moggill Road Kenmore, Date/Time Saturday Sept 22 4pm to 6pm.

Schools ~

Australian International Islamic College ~ a number of students will participate in the Speaker's Green Event by presenting a peace song (Nasheed)

Canon Hill State School ~ Making Doves for The Origami Project, having a Peace Lunch on Thursday

Craiglsea State High School ~ A number of students from the Amnesty and Social Justice group will attend the Speaker's Green Event, they have made origami doves and are raising money to donate to the origami doves project.

Kimberley Park State School SPARKS ~ A terrific incentive by primary school students at Kimberley Park State School, the children have arranged a peace display and are running a peace art and photography exhibition. They’ll also be displaying their work to date including the Dalai Lama visit.

Laidley District State School ~ On Wednesday 19 September, students will participate in kite flying during the lunch break to acknowledge the International Day of Peace on the 21 September. On the last day of the school term we celebrate our students who are Peacemakers by awarding one student from each class with a certificate and drink bottle during a special parade. On 21 September special mention will be made of the International Day of Peace.

Indooroopilly State High School ~ Showing the Peace One Day film on Thursday lunch break!

Mitchelton State High School ~ is raising money to donate to the Origami Project, and the Leo's Club will be participating in Peace Day activities

Our Lady's College, Annerley ~ September 21 is the school's community day, and they are going to incorporate the Peace Day into activities. Also raising funds to donate to The Origami Project.

Rochedale South Primary School ~ Sept 18., School Assembly 9am ~ SGIA Book Donation, Baton Twirling, IDPA Certificate Presentation; 10.45 SGIA Storytelling years 1-3; 2pm Origami making. Sept 19 & 20, 2pm Origami Making

St Joseph's Primary School, Beenleigh ~ Have made a box of origami doves and sent funds to cover postage.

Strathpine West State School ~ will be celebrating this day as a whole school event. We are focusing on 'What peace means to us’, with a more in-depth study in the upper grades. We are happy to participate in such a worthwhile event. Contact L Wieprecht, Phone 3480 6111, Email lwiep1@eq.edu.au

Southport State High School ~ have been helping at a kitchen for the needy, and are bringing a busload of students to the Speaker's Green Event

Upper Coomera State College, Gold Coast ~ A follow up to the theme of 'kindness' prior to The Dalai Lama visit, College students and staff are now looking at peace messages from the past and creating their own peace message to be compiled into a College Diary for Peace which will be displayed for all in the library. We will also launch our new values poster, 'The Message is Simple'. All this is part of our ongoing virtues/values program.

Windsor State School ~ Each pastrol care group (group of Yr 1-7 students from the same sports house) in the school will be making a pinwheel to display on the school gates and fence line on Friday 21 September. The significance and importance of this day will also be discussed with the children in a pastrol care lesson the week before when they will make the pinwheel.

Yeronga State High School ~ providing students to entertain in the CUA Peace Fair!

Universities

University of Queensland ~ Rotary International Peace Fellows studying Peace & Conflict Studies at UQ plan to raise awareness about International Day of Peace. Students can paint their vision for peace on a common canvas, make their own traveling peace stone, and/or talk with peace fellows about global issues. Date/Time September 20, 2007, 10am to 4PM Venue: Outside UQ union, University of Queensland, Contact: Amanda Rader , raderpcdr@yahoo.com

Film Festival

Brisbane Peace Film Festival 2007 ~ Sunday, September 23 In conjunction with the Southside Peace Group and the QLD branch of AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL , a film festival will highlight peace orientated movies Come for the day or just the film you want to see. 11am Sir! No Sir! (1hr24mins) 12.30pm: Palestine is Still the Issue (53mins), 1.30pm: Child Soldiers (17mins), Peace One Day (8mins), Oh Talisman (5 mins), 2am: Not in Our Name (41mins), 2.45pm: I Know I'm Not Alone (1hr26mins), 4.15pm: FINISH. Contact: Anna Venue: Ground Floor CEPU Building cnr Merivale and Peel Sts South Brisbane (enter from Merivale St) Cost: ENTRY: PAPER NOTE (employed) or GOLD COIN (low income) DONATION Click here for flyer

Logan Hyperdome Library ~ A full window display to promote the Peace Day!

Indian Bazaar ~ Three days of festivities at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds!! 1664 Logan Road. Fri 21 5pm-10pm; Sat 22 10am-10pm, Sun 23 11am-5pm Sunday September 23. Stalls, Indian Fashions, Indian Music, Regional Food ~ expecting about 25,000 people. $2 entry Friday and Sun, $3 entry Sat, $5 Car Parking, Under 12 free see flyer here

Peace Fire ~ Lyell Deer Farm, Mt Samson. We plan to have a special ceremony at the site of our multicultural peace pole and light our peace fire on the 21st of September in honour of the International Day of Peace. The Fire Ceremonies are an old North American Indian Tradition and were started in Queensland several years ago in Tuchekoi near Gympie, by Joseph Rael (Beautiful Painted Arrow). Joseph learnt about the Peace Fires through the Hopi Indians. Our Peace Pole was erected in April 2007. It holds 24 plaques, so far 14 are engraved with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the native languages of the regular participants of our ceremonies. More information: contact Maureen or Des on or info@lyelldeerfarm.com

Good News Bulletin ~ the release of local publication highlighting the positive activities individuals and organisations have been working on locally to create peaceful communities. Copies will be available from Reddacliff Place Event. This publication will help promote and celebrate the amazing amount of positive work occurring all around us. Contact Harp Kalsi harpk@eccq.com.au click here to download bulletin

Angels Kitchen has been working every Sunday since May 1993 to provide a home-cooked meal to homeless, marginalised, drug dependent, at risk and other needy people. Wholly staffed by volunteers. Cooks are on a rotating roster and cater for 100 serves of Main Course and 80 serves of Desserts each week. Attendance by our needy brethren is anywhere from 50 to 100+. Wednesday, September 19 12.00-12.30

Venue: Room 3, GCCC Community Centre, 8 Lawson Street, SOUTHPORT (between RSL and Red Cross) Cost: $15.00 per person- 3- course lunch, plus entry for Lucky Door, Lucky Name & Lucky Ticket Prizes (bookings by Wednesday 12 September to PO Box 3225, Australia Fair Q 4215)

New South Wales

Sydney... A 12 hour Peace Vigil with people of all faiths giving a presentation, or reading from sacred texts or meditating in Victoria Park Broadway Sydney, from 5am to 5pm on 21 September 2007 It is the second annual Peace/Prayer Vigil organised by The Ministry for Peace-Australia.

Tamworth Nursery ~ (A very rich example of Peace Activities)

"I am the room leader of our Nursery (which caters for ten 0-2 year olds) at a local Tamworth (NSW) Long Day Care Centre - Pre School (which also caters for fifteen 2-3 year olds and twenty 3-5 year olds). Our wonderful Director has requested that every staff member organise a function to promote community spirit within our neighbourhood.

I am organising a Teddy Bear's Picnic to coincide with The International Day of Peace on the 21st of September, at our Centre. I will invite the Aboriginal Elders of our community and I wish to encourage a liaison officer form our local Police and a member or our local council to speak at our function.

We live in a world where we are not taking the time to speak to each other. I am always trying to encourage my infants to care for each other and my Trainee, and I show love and care for each and every infant that attends our Nursery over the week, no matter what cultural background or religious background. Our Centre is situated in the middle of a predominately indigenous area (our Centre is not indigenous but caters for all children, without judgement) and our area has been subject to unfortunate tension amongst the locals and uncaring attitude to each other.

I know that I can not change the circumstances overnight but I would love to encourage peace for one day.

I have obtained a template of the Pinwheels for Peace to give to every family members that will be attending on the day. Two of our parents work with two different television channels and I am hoping to enlist their assistance to broadcast the event on the evening news on Prime and NBN." Contact: Melody, (weekdays)

Western Australia

Greens WA

2007 Bridging Dinner ~ Celebrating the International Day of Peace! Join us for a delicious vegetarian buffet, music and a range of speakers reflecting on peace and the bridging of cultural divides. Perth Tickets on sale now! Organised by the Greens (WA) Venue : Annalakshmi Restaurant, Barrack Street Jetty Date/Time: Friday Sept 21 6.30pm to 10pm Cost: Yes - $30 waged/$25 unwaged Contact: Greens office on 6365 2131or office@wa.greens.org.au

National

Shri Ram Chandra Mission ~

Shri Ram Chandra Mission (www.srcm.org) will invite general public, family and friends to join in a universal prayer/meditation for Peace. The various programmes for the Day will be “devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples”. Since founding in 1945, Shri Ram Chandra Mission has been serving people in more than ninety countries and offers free and to all who are interested, a simple practice of Raja Yoga meditation called Sahaj Marg – translated as the Natural Path. Sahaj Marg teaches that all religions have their roots in the same common ground, which is spirituality. The practice of Sahaj Marg involves directing one’s attention towards one’s heart where the spiritual impulse for love, goodness and solidarity resides. Sustained practice of Sahaj Marg meditation enables the individual to establish connection with this spiritual impulse. ~ All are invited to the observance on Peace Day, at the following venues and dates:

Sydney: 21 September from 6pm to 8pm: Mill Hill Centre, Meeting Room 2, Waverley Council Community Services, 1st Floor, 31-33 Spring Street, Bondi Junction NSW

Contact: Elizabeth Crichton:

Melbourne: to be advised

Brisbane: 22 September from 4pm to 6pm, Uniting Church, 982 Moggill Road, Kenmore

Contact: John Smith:

Perth: 22 September from 7pm Royal Park Hall, 180 Charles Street (cnr Vincent Street), West Perth

Contact: Satish Menon:

For more information please contact: John Smith, Vice-President Australia, E-mail: johnsmith@primusonline.com.au

Computer Donations ~ One anonymous donor has offered to send an 'outdated' but perfectly functioning computer to an impoverished school that can not afford to purchase its own.

Dinners and BBQs ~ a range of organisations and individuals are marking the day by holding small private functions which will be used to raise money for charities, or for projects internationally.

Global Initiatives

'The Origami Project' ~ Origami Doves and Cranes to Children in Conflict Zones ~ An enormous opportunity exists here for children in our ‘safe’ Australian environment to send goodwill messages of peace to children in conflict zones.

We will be collecting Origami Doves and Cranes made by school children here in Australia, to send to children in some communities and schools experiencing violence, in our region and around the world. Your school is encouraged to be part of this but…..There are some issues which must be adhered to because of cultural and language sensitivities. Please see dialogue box below.

Global Stamp Issue ~ A longer term goal, the IDPA is identifying and writing to Post Offices around the world, to see if they will be part of a global issue of stamps to mark the Peace Day in 2008 or 2009.

Pinwheels for Peace ~ Imagine Whirled Peace! Across the world on September 21, millions of Pinwheels will be spinning for peace. Follow this link to instructions on how to make the pinwheels, organise your school, family, department or organisation to make and display the wheels in a prominent position…help get people talking about the Peace Day!

~ What would you like to see happen on September 21?? TELL US

For Global activities please go to either of these ‘parent’ links…Peace One Day or The International Day of Peace

More information is coming, please check back soon, email us your thoughts or fill in the boxes below

Dove & Crane Criteria

There are some criteria which must be adhered to because of cultural and language sensitivities.

     1. Marking the Paper

THERE MUST BE NO WRITING OR DRAWINGS on the doves or cranes, please do not use old newspapers, magazines or printed material such as bus tickets to make them. REASON ~ not everyone speaks English, and the need to interpret a message when it is received may lead to complications/disappointment or misunderstandings. The use of plain, coloured paper is encouraged! Similarly, though innocently meant, a drawing may not convey the same meaning in a different culture as it does in ours. Finally, a picture from a western-style magazine may be highly offensive in other cultures.

Size

Preferably, the doves/cranes need to be fairly small, about the size so that two or three would fit in the palm of an adult hand: REASON ~ so we can get as many as we can into a box.

Postage and Handling

Please use the standard Post Office boxes to send your doves/cranes to us, but do not write directly on the box. REASON, we will need to do that to direct them where they are going. Please use an envelope to address your doves to us, and sticky-tape the envelope to the box so it can be removed and we can write its international destination address on the box. Similarly with the return address, please have it on a removable label or envelope. REASON Some boxes may not reach their destination, due to conflict and non-functioning services, and we would prefer those that are returned, to come back to us, rather than disappoint the children who have made the doves.

     4. Funding

There is going to be a cost involved with sending the boxes, about A$50 a box for those that will go to the Middle East. Your assistance in raising funds to cover the cost of postage, (cheques Payable to International Day of Peace Alliance and included in the envelope on the box) will help ensure your boxes get on their way overseas speedily, and hopefully be delivered on or near the International Day of Peace. (We are a group of volunteers, with very little funding, and we can not personally meet the costs associated with sending all the boxes, a donation to our cause would also be gratefully accepted.)

    5. Please mail the boxes to: Convenor, IDPA, PO Box 3052. Newmarket QLD 4051 We would like to have doves in hand by September 5, but it's better to get them than not get them. Even if they are a week late, they can still be sent.

     6. Finally

This is the first year that we have attempted this origami peace message, so we are most focused on ensuring we don’t breach any cultural sensitivities, and on getting it right rather than looking to include too many or do too much. The doves are being sent to Afghanistan, East Timor, Nepal, and a limited number into Iraq.

We look forward to receiving your boxes of origami doves or cranes. Instructions for making the doves are here or the more attractive but complex cranes instructions are here.

Translation for 140 languages by ALS