UN International Day of Peace 2017 was commemorated by UPF New Zealand on Saturday, 30th of September 2017 at Parnell Peace Embassy, Auckland. The theme, “Together for Peace – Respect, Safety and Dignity for All” was discussed centering on education for peace and the issue of refugee integration. It was attended by about 50 AFPs, guests and family members who understand the importance of peace at the present time.
The programme was preluded by the video presentation of Sunhak Peace Prize 2017 which became the basis of the entire flow of the event. The speakers for the event include Mrs Theresa Piraccini, Principal of Michael Park Rudolf Steiner School; Ms Tinmama Oo, Youth Leader from The Youth Collective and Rev Adel Jamati, Chairman of FFWPU-NZ.
The talks given on education and refugees were complemented by video presentations of children from all over the world singing “What a Wonderful World” and the event was closed with a group singing of “We are the World” by Michael Jackson.
The participants were moved by the content of the programme and many guests gave positive appreciations of what we’re trying to do as a global community of peace. We are all grateful for the opportunity to meet together as people who long to create peace and harmony with our own hands. We hope that this is but one of the many stepping stones we share together in making our dreams a reality.
– Photos courtesy of Barry Noel; Written by Andrew Halim