For past events of 2021-23, go to: https://www.peacedayphilly.org/events/
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2020
For Peace Day Philly 2020, we offered 11 programs in 7 days, all free and all virtual. The police department, school disrtict and libraries did additional peace activities. These programs related to:
– Cultivating Personal Peace
– The Interfaith Peace Walk
– The Rising Cost of Systemic Racism
– Lovingkindness Meditation
– Wellness and resiliency for immigrants and refugees
– Youth at the US/Mexican Border
– African Immigrants in Philadelphia
– South Sudanese Refugee stories
– Racial reckoning in a Pandemic
– Creative journaling
– Buying Peace Not War with Tax Dollars
For program details, please go to the EVENTS section of this website.
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2019
Peace Day Philly co-presented or presented 12 programs related to personal, local and global peace in September 2019, including:
– Global Perspectives on Pro-Peace Policies, Programs and Place-making
– The Nuclear Ban Treaty – The Path Forward!
– Peacebuilders Panel
– Peace and Wellness for All Community Event
– Race, Peace, and Climate Justice Talk
– La Ofrenda: an exhibition/ installation: Open House
– Refugees Reimagined: An evening of refugee stories and conversation
– Climate change and racial justice film screenings
– Cultivating Personal Peace program
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2018
Peace Day Philly collaborated with a number of organizations for 2018, presenting a total of 10 programs plus dozens of activities facilitated by the police in districts across the city. We also partnered with many other organization to launch the new “Push for Peace” youth coalition on gun violence. This took place on Peace Day at City Hall.
Programs and activities for Peace Day Philly 2018
Additional Programs: Police District Activities for PDP 2018
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2017
For Peace Day Philly 2017, there were well over 35 programs involving over 30 organizations that took place across Philadelphia, including in many Philly communities thanks to the Philadelphia Police Department. CLICK HERE for PDP’s 2017 Report on Activities.
The 2017 global Peace Day theme was “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.” Here is a video we created around this theme:
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2016
For Peace Day Philly 2016, there were over 15 diverse peace activities and events that took place related to personal, local and global peace. These activities were offered by Peace Day Philly in collaboration with other organizations or organized by dozens of regional organizations.
2016 Programs included:
– Welcoming City program at City Hall featuring Mayor Jim Kenney. Poet Sonia Sanchez and talented young musicians.
– Interfaith Dialogue – Welcoming Each Other Across Diverse
Cultures & Faiths
– Empathy: An Antidote to Intolerance and Bullying workshop
– We Grow Where We Are – Words and images of Syrian refugee Youth
– Peace Pole Dedications, Parkway NW HS for Peace & Social Justice and Edison HS.
– Meditation for Peace Program
A CommUNITY Breakfast
– Two screenings of the film “The Same Heart” – a documentary about global poverty with filmmaker Q & A
– An International Peace Festival & Market
– Dialogue Across Difference: Skills for Peacemaking & Global Citizenship workshop
– Restoring Trust Through Grassroots Peacemaking panel/discussion program
– 6th Annual Sing Along for Peace
– A Philly Free Streets Event
– A gardening service project
– Yoga for Peace outdoor event
– Several “Chalk4Peace” activities
For announcements and press for PDP 2016, CLICK HERE.
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2015
For Peace Day Philly 2015, there were over 24 activities and events Sept. 14-Sept. 21, offered by diverse organizations across Philadelphia and the region. We applaud the over 35 organizations that actively participated!
For 2015 Participating Organizations, CLICK HERE. For 2015 photo albums, CLICK HERE.
Peace Day Philly offered 4 FEATURED programs in collaboration with other organizations:
MEASURING PEACE: ECONOMIC AND INTERCULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON CREATING A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD
Collaborators: International House Philadelphia and the Institute for Economics and Peace
Components of this event where an internationally-themed reception, performance by Farah Siraj, presentation by special guest Michelle Breslauer of Institute for Economics and Peace and panel discussion worth International House Residents. Themes included perceptions and interactions that can lead to a more peaceful world, the role of intercultural exposure in building peace, challenges to this process, data and information about levels of peacefulness for different countries, and some of the conditions necessary to achieve greater levels of Peace. Over 90 guests attended.
FINDING OUR PLACE IN THE WORLD:
THROUGH THE LENS OF REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCES
Collaborator: Arcadia University’s International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program
This event included a panel of refugees and immigrants from different corners of the world, Each shared their unique experiences including strategies for adapting to US. Participants learned some of the common and difficult experiences of refugees and immigrants, yet the universal themes – home, identity, healing – were also underscored. The program included an in-depth Q and A. Over 60 students, faculty and community members attended.
INTERFAITH PEACE CELEBRATION & DIALOGUE
Collaborators: Ethical Humanist Society of Philadelphia, Zones of Peace, Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation, Music Media Ministry
This collaboratively developed program involved facilitated dialogue among those working in diverse interfaith and social change contexts about the process of interfaith work and visioning the components of the conditions for greater intercultural and interfaith understanding and sustainable social change. Components included small group discussion, silent reflection, large group sharing and celebration with music from the Peace Day Philly Band.
PARKWAY MARCH FOR PEACE AND STUDENT WORKSHOPS 9/21 This highly collaborative event was spearheaded by the Parkway NW School for Peace and Social Justice and their Community Coordinator Jan Steinberg. NBA Player Wayne Ellington was the special guest speaker (see articles below) and shared about the loss of his father to senseless gun violence in 2014 and encouraged students to empower themselves and become peacebuilders in their world. The event was held at Lutheran Theological Seminary and included a “Living Memorial” with T-Shirts bearing the names of those lost to gun violence, an initiative of Heeding God’s Call. Other Collaborators included Granny Peace Brigade of Philadelphia, United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia and Sharon Katz and the Peace Train. Highly Interactive workshops were facilitated by organizations including Intercultural Journeys, Power, Global Education Motivators, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and others.
– Read the Chestnut Hill Local cover story re: 9/21 Peace Day Event
-Read the Phila. Daily News Story About the 9/21 Peace Day Event
– Photo Album for this event – CLICK HERE
OTHER 2015 HIGHLIGHTS
– A video with highlights of the diverse Peace Day activities 2013-2014 that was promoted both locally and globally (Photos by PDP and Deb Schell, photographer; music by Farah Siraj)- VIEW HERE
– A peace skills training for a Kensington Based community organization offered by Christa Tinari, Founder of PeacePraxis
– An interactive “Dialogue Across Difference” offered by Dialogue Institute
– A volunteer opportunity at the Sunday Breakfast Mission made possible by Global Citizen
– A community dialogue with Cambodian and Bhutanese elders to discuss challenges of being a refugee in Philadelphia and strategies to adapt
– 2 presentations to students (one at Penn, one at Drexel) by Michelle Breslauer of the Institute for Economics and Peace
– 5th Annual Sing Along for Peace and candlelight peace walk, hosted by Hugh and the Ethical Humanist Society
– Peace activities at Philly region schools and colleges
– A dedicated Peace Day concert with 4 bands at The Fire
– Art exhibitions related to home/culture (Al Bustan Seeds of Culture) and benefit for Haiti
– Talk and march with Audrey Scott Williams at the Center for Spiritual Living
– 2 soccer events, one West African offered by Palm Solutions and others and one world-cup style with kids organized by Louis Bolling and P3 – Philadelphia Plays for Peace
– Skype interactions with Swarthmore Peace Program students and students in Ireland
– Inclusion of Peace Day videos in the Peace Day Global Broadcast
– Partnership with MOIMA to promote multi-cultural events that were part of xCultural Passport week coinciding with PDP
– #peaceday Peace Pledge photos
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2014
For Peace Day Philly 2014, there were over 30 activities and events during the week of Sept. 15-Sept. 21 offered by diverse organizations across Philadelphia and the region. We applaud the over 50 organizations that actively participated! For 2014 Participating Organizations, CLICK HERE.
Peace Day Philly, with support from donors and videographer Luke Darigan, produced a video of Farah Sirah‘s song “What If” which was shared across the world as a global call for Peace Day 2014 to have compassion and concern for others – whether across the city or across the world. View the video HERE.
Peace Day Philly was also a catalyst for two free peace skill building trainings for organizations serving Philadelphia communities and youth. We are thankful to the Office of Equality and Diversity, Drexel University and The Peace Center for providing these peace skill trainings!
To view photos from just some of this year’s programs, CLICK HERE and HERE.
Peace Day Philly offered a free public event at Independence Mall on Peace Day, which began with yoga and mediation, followed by a program sharing community voices, performance of an original song by the Earth Day Kids and instrumental music, and reading of the Mayoral Proclamation for Peace Day Philly and message from a UN Messenger of Peace. The formal program ended with observance of the global Minute of Silence at noon, a global activity that took place in all timezones. Following this global minute of silence, people engaged in a participatory drum circle. We are thankful to the many people who contributed their time, stories and gifts to make this a unifying program!
Highlights of Peace Day Philly 2014:
– A full day program, “Footprints of Peace,” organized by the Penn Museum featuring poet Sonia Sanchez, Philly’s new youth poet laureate as well as other poets and hip hop artists. Part of this program included sharing peace poetry created by West Philadelphia kids and the dedication of a peace bench. We are thrilled that Sonia Sanchez once again was involved in Peace Day Philly! See photos HERE. See press coverage HERE (scroll down to “Footprints of Peace” program).
– A day of activities at the Ethical Humanist Society, which began with a humanist talk about the inner-outer dynamic of peace and included a Hip Hop Sanctuary program, screening of a film documenting the activism of the Granny Peace Brigade of Philadelphia, and ending with the 4th annual Sing Along for Peace, lead Hugh Taft-Morales. The Ethical Humanist Society was a 2014 Partner through lending their space for monthly open meetings and as a hub for Peace Day activities.
– A “Changemakers Across Borders” program at the Free Library which explored the “unlikely flow of ideas” between Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Facilitated by featured speakers included Rev. David Brown of NewCORE and Samip Mallick of the South Asian American Digital archive (SAADA). Also integral to the program was the display of photographs depicting the intergenerational experiences of a Bhutanese refugee family. This program was a collaboration of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, SAADA and Peace Day Philly. See photos HERE.
– For the fourth consecutive year, the Philadelphia Police Department facilitated conversations and activities in schools and community venues across the city. This level of involvement in Peace Day by a police department is unprecedented nationally.
– For the 3rd consecutive year, children were engaged in after-school peace activities (poetry, art, etc.) in neighborhood librarys through the Free Library’s Literacy Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP).
– A day of service to clean up and build benches for a neighborhood park as well as make improvements to the playground. This day of community service involved many groups and was spearheaded by the city anti-violence initiative Philly Rising Collaborative with support from Global Citizen and a number of other groups. Peace Day Philly provided lunch to 200 volunteers for this event (thanks to Trader Joes and Manisha Patel for your invaluable support!). See photos HERE and HERE.
A faith service, peace workshops and lunch
An Interfaith Service offered by Heeding God’s Call to stand against gun violence, which included a living memorial and presentation of “Zones of Peace” banner from the Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia in recognition of HGC’s work year-round to reduce gun violence. See photos 18-22 HERE.
Lifeline Music Coalition held it’s 2nd Annual Philadelphia United Jazz Festival on South Street 9/20. We were so pleased that this celebratory and unity-building event was part of PDP 2014! Learn more about the event HERE and HERE.
– Two screenings of the film “The 5 Powers” which explores through interviews as well as animation, three “superheroes of peace” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Alfred Hassler and Sister Chan Khong. Thanks to peace programs at Arcadia University and Swarthmore College for hosting the screenings and talkbacks with the film’s producers. Watch the video related to Arcadia’s screening HERE.
– A “Right To Peace” program offered by Drexel University, whose Office of Internatinoal Programs is a founding Partner for PDP. This program included a panel discussion about the right to peace and an action component where students learned about and discussed opportunities for getting involved in their school and community.
–
A concert presented by two young artist groups – the Philadelphia Sinfonia and the Keystone State Boychoir, which included a theme of anti-bullying and was proceeded by the Choir’s involvement in a kNOw Tech-a-thon. Listen to Romeo Cascarino’s “Meditation and Elegy” from this program HERE.
– A performance of an original version of the children’s opera Brundibar and the Children of Theresienstadt presented by International Opera Theatre.
– The second annual International Peace Day Concert at the Kimmel Center, which featured young as well as seasoned artists and was presented by the Harmony for Peace Foundation.
– Fellowship and faith music events with Warren Cooper of PDP & Music, Media, Ministry.
– Two content rich programs offered by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) – “What Does Peace In The Prisons Look Like?” and “Buddhists, Militarism, and Nationalism: An Evening with Sulak Sivaraksa.”
A full day Exploring Arab Culture program at the Morris Arboretum, Co-Presented by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, included music by the wonderful Takht Ensemble, tours highlighting trees at the Arboretum and hands-on activities in traditional Arabic art.
– A discussion and music program offered by Intercultural Journeys which involved sharing from International House residents about their perspectives on a global day of peace.
A worship service and workshops at the Protestant Community Church
in Medford Lakes, NJ. Rev. Bob Moore provided the morning worship centering on a call to peacemaking. This was followed by interactive workshops, forum on decreasing gun violence, and music.
– The second annual P3 – Philadelphia plays for Peace soccer tournament, a collaboration of the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia, SEAMAAC and others. See P3’s Facebook page HERE.
– A screening of the film “Groundswell Rising” offered by the Coalition for Peace Action and other co-sponsors, about the environmental and health impact of “tracking.” The program included the film and discussion with the film’s producers and a citizen advocate.
– The Peace Community at Sacred Heart in Camden, NJ held an event “The Right to Peace and Environmental Justice” – peace rally in Camden NJ in support of the People’s Climate March and Campaign Nonviolence (Pace e Bene). Article HERE.
– Friends for Peace/Media PA organized 3 evenings of events to celebrate Peace Day. Activities including meditations, children’s activities and music. View some photos HERE.
A number of schools in the Philadelphia region engaged in Peace activities the week of Sept. 15th, including creating peace pledges, peace chains, and more.
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2013
For a vimeo slideshow with images from PDP 2013 and 2012, created by photographer Deb Schell, CLICK HERE
For Peace Day Philly 2013, there were over 30 public peace events that took place citywide and beyond, with an additional 40+ offered by the Philadelphia Police Department in Districts across the city! A number of programs, such as the “Peace Teach-In” at Drexel University supported by the US Institute of Peace, and the collaborative “New Global Future Conference at the Friends Center, featuring Lily Yeh, focused on peace education and peacebuilding skills given 2013’s global theme, “Education for Peace.”
Arts related activities were a strong part of PDP 2013, with the “Perspectives on Peace” photo exhibition and related programs, as well as 2 wonderful concerts – a “Concert for Peace” in Germantown and an “International Peace Day Concert” at the Kimmel Center – both featuring the inspired talents of young performers. Community storytelling based in African traditions also took place in multiple sites.
Sports events included the 1st annual “P3 – Philadelphia Plays for Peace” Soccer Event, which was a collaboration of a number of NGOs including the United Nations Association of Greater Philadelphia. There was also an African Youth Soccer Event.
In addition, there were unity-building events in a number of Philly neighborhoods offered by organizations like Mothers In Charge and Philly Rising. A number of schools and Free Libraries across the city and region also actively participated.
The Philadelphia Police Department, which through Districts across the city organized dozens of activities for the third consecutive year (40+ in 2013!) This level of participation from a Police Department in a major city is unparalleled.
We were honored to have amazing artists, peacebuilders and inspired youth at our PDP 2013 community event, held at Hawthorne Park, including Philly’s Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez, Jordanian Singer Farah Siraj, guitarist Andreas Arnold, drummers Jan Jeffries and Marcy Francis (through the generosity of The Artwell), the Rosebuds Children’s Choir thanks to the Art Sanctuary, Aschak and the Earth Day Kids the Peace Day Philly Band, and government figures Councilman Mark Squilla and Senator Larry Farnese (a supporter since 2011) and Commissioners from the Phila. Commission on Human Relations. The Porchlight Program of Mural Arts and the 3rd Police District also provided activities for children and adults. Thanks to the 3rd Police District and Hawthorne Empowerment Coalition for making this event possible, and the Religious Leaders Council of Greater Philadelphia for presenting PDP along with the Commission on Human Relations with a “Zones of Peace” designation banner at the event.
2012-13 Philadelphia Poet Laureate Sonia Sanchez at Peace Day Philly’s Community Event 9/20/13
Rosebuds Choir/Art Sanctuary – Peace Day Philly’s Community Event 9/20/13
For media coverage of PDP 2013, CLICK HERE and scroll down to news and articles about PDP 2013.
For more photos of Peace Day Philly 2013 events, CLICK HERE
Programs offered by area organizations, including a number of collaborations, that were part of Peace Day Philly 2013 included:
– Peace Day Philly’s free community event at Hawthorne Park with public figures, special guest artists, government figures and health/art activities (see videos above, on this page; to view photos, CLICK HERE)
– A collaborative “Peace Teach In” at Drexel University with peacebuilding workshops and networking opportunities – FOR A SHORT VIDEO OVERVIEW, CLICK HERE
– A “Perspectives On Peace” Photography Exhibition with local and global images by Philly photographers organized by the Office of International Programs at Drexel University in partnership with ASMP Philly (American Society of Media Photographers) and Peace Day Philly
– Peace-Related programs in the Exhibition venue including films and guest speakers
– A collaborative “New Global Future Conference” featuring guest speakers such Lily Yeh (Barefoot Artists) and peacebuilding workshops (Envision Peace Museum, Coalition for Peace Action, PA Program for Peace, UNAGP, PSR and others)
– 2 Intercultural music events featuring youth artists (Harmony for Peace Foundation, Philadelphia Sinfonia and the Keystone State Boychoir)
Philadelphia Sinfonia and Keystone Boy Choir Peace Day Concert, 9/22/13
– Global Peace-related films including: Road to Peace, Graceland Girls, Child 31 and Ru: Water is Life at the Walking Fish Theatre
– Global Education Motivators screening of “Evolution of a Global Peace System” and student discussion with the Director of the War Prevention Initiative at Chestnut Hill College
– Meditations and spiritual workshops including at the Shambhala Meditation Center of Philadelphia
– Mindfulness training with high school youth offered by Roots and Wings
– Special workshops for children and youth around citizenship (National Liberty Museum) and multicultural understanding (Free Library of Phila)
– 2 soccer tournaments, one in the spirit of a world cup event, P3 (collaboratively organized by UNAGP, Congresso, SEAMAAC, and others, CLICK HERE for P3 FB Page), the other an African Youth tournament organized by the Pennsylvania Oldtimers Community Sports Association – for photos CLICK HERE
– Presentation and Discussion of the Global Peace Index and the process of measuring peace (The African Studies Center at Penn/Institute for Economics and Peace)
– Community based activities such as marches, vigils, discussions, children’s activities (Such as Mother’s In Charge, Memphis Street Academy)
– A Street Fair with activities and LBGT support resources
– A video conference at a NJ International Rotary Conference about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with support from Global Education Motivators
– Community Gardening Project (Philly Rising)
– Community Storytelling in several community locations by Griotworks
Griotworks Community Storytelling, 9/21/13
– CommUNIITY Interfaith breakfast
– A Sing Along for Peace – Ethical Humanist Society
– A recovery walk organized by PRO-ACT
For statements of support for PDP, CLICK HERE
PEACE DAY PHILLY 2012
Peace Day Philly 2012 involved over 30 public events offered by diverse organizations across the region, and there were over 60 organizations and groups that engaged in some kind of observance or activity for Peace Day. In addition, twenty-two police districts, as well as related programs such as victim services, community relations and the Police Athletic league, offered dozens of peace related programs in communities across the city. Numerous Free Library sites in Philadelphia facilitated peace poetry activities through their LEAP after-school program. A number of public and private schools across the region also participated.
Programs that were part of Peace Day Philly 2012 included:
– A public event at LOVE Park with reflections on peace in Philadelphia by special guest speakers – CLICK HERE for photos
– A “Peace and Public Health” Panel Discussion
– A Restorative Justice Conference
– Peace-Related films
– Meditations and spiritual workshops
– Intercultural music events
– A soccer tournament involving immigrants from three West African countries – CLICK HERE for Photos
– A discussion between the Mayor and students from area public schools about school community and safety
– A program on cultivating personal peace
– A multicultural fair
– Vigils against violence
– Speaker programs related to the environment, the health impact of war and the work of the United Nations
– A program about educational justice with local students and students across the state
For numerous photo albums depicting just some of the activities that took place as part of Peace Day Philly 2012, CLICK HERE
