Prescott Peacebuilders is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire our community to believe in and work toward a more peaceful sustainable world. We are committed to building an identity of peace and culture of nonviolence in Prescott. Each year we plan events to celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace, always held on September 21 around the world. This was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly, and in 2001 it unanimously voted to designate this day as a period of nonviolence and cease-fire. This year's theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”
The UN states that peace “not only is the absence of conflict, but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are resolved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation.” In a world with rising tensions and conflicts, there has never been a better time to lay out the values needed for a culture of peace. These include respect for life, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the promotion of nonviolence through education, dialogue and cooperation, commitment to peaceful settlement of conflicts, and adherence to freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, cultural diversity, dialogue and understanding at all levels of society and among nations.
The ideas and culture of peace must be cultivated in the minds of children and communities through formal and informal education, across countries and generations.
Three events
The International Day of Peace has always been a time to lay down weapons and observe cease-fires. But it now must also be a time for people to see one another’s humanity. Our survival as a global community depends on that. We can never give up hope!
To kick off Peace Week, Peacebuilders has planned a second Peace Concert for Sunday, September 15, 1:30-4:30 in the Granite Creek Park ramada, 554 6th St.
Six top local musical groups will perform: Womansong, Rita Cantu, Morphus, Salt of the Earth, Galactagogues, and Doc Garvey and the Remedy. All are invited! Bring your chairs and picnic baskets to sit under the shady cottonwoods and enjoy the music. There will be a crafts table and face-painting for kids sponsored by La Tierra Community School, as well as a handmade Peace Quilt to be auctioned off during the concert. Donations are appreciated, as well as tips for the musicians.
Saturday, September 21 brings the UN International Day of Peace celebration on the courthouse plaza at 6:30pm. This inspirational event, with the theme “A Culture of Peace,” will feature speakers including Prescott Peacebuilders founder Mary Steenhoek, La Tierra Community School Director Julie Jongsma, Launch Pad Advisory Board member Isabelle Brown, four students from La Tierra reading their original peace poems, and Prescott City Council member Eric Moore, who will read the Peace Proclamation signed by Mayor Phil Goode. Jo Berger, Meg Bohrman and Jonathan Best will provide music. This is always a very moving, peaceful event.
On September 26 we will show the award-winning film Where Olive Trees Weep in Founder’s Room of the Prescott Public Library, 215 E. Goodwin St
Your donations at any of these events will assist in the cause of peace locally. Prescott Peacebuilders hopes to see many of you at our events as we continue our commitment to building an identity of peace and culture of nonviolence. We strive to make Prescott a visible example of how a community can openly respect and support all people living and visiting our city.
