What is World Peace Day?
World Peace Day, also called International Day of Peace or Peace Day, is observed around the world each year on September 21 established in 1981 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences.
The UN General Assembly declared this day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” For the text of the U.N. Resolution, CLICK HERE.
Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate September 21 as a period of non-violence and cease-fire. For the text of this second unanimous UN resolution, CLICK HERE.
Contribute to building a Culture of Peace. See ideas for Peace Day here.
A Global Celebration
2024 Global Peace Day Theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. For more about this year’s theme, CLICK HERE.
Celebrating World Peace Day Locally
The World Peace Concert in 2019 benefited Ukraine Refugees and the Conscious Leadership Foundation, providing community leadership scholarships for mindfulness and wellness.
This year’s inspiration for peace day events came from performance artist Koolulam’s youtube video capturing 3,000 strangers to join together to sing the song One Day by Matiyashu in Haifa, Israel’s model of what a mixed Jewish-Arab city could be. Sung in 3 languages it’s a celebration and statement that coexistence is possible. See video here.
Completely moved by citizens of historically warring peoples coming together in peace, the inspiration to organize something locally as a statement of co-existence was birthed.
Leadership Retreat
Sat, September 21, 2024, 10-4pm, Bloedel Reserve
Thank You to our Sponsors:
Scholarship Sponsor: Up From Slavery Initiative
Lunch Sponsor: K Catering, Seattle’s Best Asian Fusion Cuisine
Freeze/Flash Mob & Choir
Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 1:00pm
Anthems: One Day by Matisyahu &
K'naan's Wavin Flag (Celebration Mix)
Location: Winslow area on Bainbridge Island
Inspirational video to One Day that shows the spirit of what world peace through kindness could look like. Original inspiration of peace movement from the Kindness Movement
Flash Mob Dance - Front
Flash Mob Dance - Behind
In Person Practice to Learn Dance
Monday, September 9 at 6pm on Koura on Bainbridge. Email Stephanie at Stizzr@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending to get the address.
Step by Step Tutorial
How to Get Involved
1. DANCE / SING
Learn the Dance and/or Song to sing during your local flash mob.
Then find a local city leader to join with.
Choir: Contact Stephanie Reese at Stizzr@yahoo.com for details!
Flash Mob: Contact Anna Choi at anna@soljoy.life for details!
Flash mobbers and pop up choir, we will wear blue and/or yellow/gold day of event.
Location: Winslow Way area on Bainbridge Island, WA.
Those who sign up will be emailed the designated location for the Flash Mob, as well as practice times for a core group to perform.
2. LEAD
Sign up to lead a group (no size is too small) in your city! Here are basic steps to get started.
- Email Stephanie and Anna at anna@soljoy.life and stizzr@yahoo.com what city you are from and what has you interested to lead a group!
- Set up a day and time you’ll perform he flash mob in a public setting.
- Use this resource page to learn the dance and song. Set up a few practice times with a core group of friends, family, classrooms, or other community members.
- Day of the flash mob, send reminders to your dancers and record the performance!
- Send us the .mp4 video file to anna@soljoy.life to share in this global movement together!
3. SUPPORT
There are infinite, creative ways to support this global peace movement. Here are a few ideas:
- Share the flyer by posting them locally in your community
- Forward this website link to friends and family
- Attend the event as a spectator
- Share this event’s message peace on socials or by word of mouth
LYRICS: One Day by Matisyahu
Written by: Matisyahu, Philip Martin Ii Lawrence, Ari Levine, Peter Gene Hernandez, Matthew Paul Miller
VERSE 1
Sometimes I lay
Under the moon
And thank God I’m breathing
Then I pray
Don’t take me soon
‘Cause I am here for a reason
PRECHORUS 1
Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know some day it’ll all turn around because…
CHORUS 1
All my life I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
For the people to say
That we don’t wanna fight no more
There will be no more wars
And our children will play
One day [6x]
VERSE 2
It’s not about
Win or lose
‘Cause we all lose
When they feed on the souls of the innocent
Blood-drenched pavement
Keep on moving though the waters stay raging
In this maze you can lose your way (your way)
It might drive you crazy but don’t let it faze you, no way (no way)
PRECHORUS 2
Sometimes in my tears I drown (I drown)
But I never let it get me down (get me down)
So when negativity surrounds (surrounds)
I know some day it’ll all turn around because…
CHORUS 2
All my life I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
For the people to say
That we don’t wanna fight no more
There will be no more wars
And our children will play
One day [6x]
BRIDGE
One day this all will change
Treat people the same
Stop with the violence
Down with the hate
One day we’ll all be free
And proud to be
Under the same sun
Singing songs of freedom like
One day [4x]
CHORUS REPRISE
All my life I’ve been waiting for
I’ve been praying for
For the people to say
That we don’t wanna fight no more
There will be no more wars
And our children will play
One day [6x]
LYRICS: Wavin Flag by K'Naan
NOTE: We have adapted the lyrics from the world cup to world peace. Changes are in bold.
“Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix)”
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
VERSE 1
Give me freedom,
Give me fire,
Give me reason,
Take me higher.
See the champions
Come this way now.
Unify us,
Make us feel proud.
In the streets our
Heads are liftin’
As we lose our
Inhibition.
Celebration.
It surrounds us.
Every nation.
All around us.
PRECHOURS
Staying forever young,
Singin’ songs underneath the sun.
Let’s rejoice in this beautiful way.
And together at the end of the day,
We all say,
CHORUS 1
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
So, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
VERSE 2
Give you freedom,
Give you fire,
Give you reason,
Take you higher.
See the champions
Come this way now,
Unify us,
Make us feel proud.
In the streets our
Heads are liftin’
As we lose our
Inhibition.
Celebration.
It surrounds us.
Every nation.
All around us.
PRE CHORUS 2
Staying forever young,
Singin’ songs underneath the sun.
Let’s rejoice in this beautiful way.
And together at the end of the day,
We all say,
CHORUS 2
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
So, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
We all say,
CHORUS 3
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
When I get older,
I will be stronger,
They’ll call me “Freedom”,
Just like a wavin’ flag.
So, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Now, wave your flag.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
And everybody will be singin’ it.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh.
And we all will be singin’ it.
