International Day of Peace in Ontario
Established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, the International Day of Peace affirms peace as a key international goal and provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations around the globe to link practical acts of peace on a common day. The International Day of Peace was formally set to September 21st in 2002 and is marked by numerous events and celebrations worldwide, the aims of which are to acknowledge victories for peace that have been won, to promote peace education, and to rededicate the international community to the goal of achieving a more peaceful, just and sustainable world. The International Day of Peace is also a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, during which individuals and nations alike are invited to cease all hostilities and armed conflict for a period of 24 hours. Locally, we will honour this day, and promote peace and sustainability education in the school curriculum, building our future capacity and sharing of best conservation practices in Ontario.
On March 22,2010, Julia Morton Marr of IHTEC, together with Melinda Rooke and Georgina Bencsik of UNACTO, collaborated with other NGO partners, educators, and government stakeholders organizing engagement and educational activities celebrating International Day of Peace in Ontario on September 21st, each and every year. At the Queen’s Park event, the following draft proclamation was read:
ONTARIO PEACE DAYDraft Proclamation.March.22.2010
PETITION
Please sign the petition on:- http://ontdayofpeace.com We are looking forward to having around 5000 educators, scientists, peacemakers, youth (ages 19 – 30) and business people, to support and comment on this endeavor. Please circulate to your lists.
UPDATE
On Wednesday March 9, 2011, David Zimmer MPP handed the UNA-C Toronto Region Branch and International Holistic Tourism Education Centre – IHTEC’s Ontario Day of Peace Private Member’s Bill draft, which had been re-written from our Ontario Peace Day Proclamation, by the Government of Ontario. This document is now in the process of becoming Law as the “International Day of Peace in Ontario”. The document focuses on Peace and Sustainability Education issues being integral to our global future.
NEXT EVENT
Melinda Rooke, UNA in Canada, Toronto Regional Branch, and Julia Morton-Marr, are very pleased with the joint team event effort, supported by Joan Broughton, UNA in Canada, in Ottawa. The next event will be on Wednesday March 23, between 3 and 5pm. At this time David Zimmer will speak to the Private Member’s Bill in the Legislative Assembly, at Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you would like to witness this event please let us know.
RSVP Emails:
ihtec@3web.com
melindarooke@gmail.com
We are also looking for teachers who have developed lesson plans for International Day of Peace. Each school in Canada has a copy of the UNA in Canada, United Nations 50th Anniversary Booklets in their resource centre, which was sent to every school across Canada in 1994. We would like to add these to the new website.
Thanks for your support.
Julia Morton-Marr
Melinda Rooke.
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The presentation of a hand carved paddle of whales and dolphins was given to Minister Harinder Takhar, MPP, Mississauga-Erindale, Minister of Government Services by Julia Morton-Marr, President of IHTEC, Melinda Rooke, UNACTO VP, Community Outreach & Programs, Chair Environment, Georgina Bencsik, UNACTO Chair, Communications.
