In celebration of the U.N. International Day of Peace on September 21, The Prem Rawat Foundation’s U.K. charity partner, Peace Partners, hosted an event that featured a variety of artists and leaders who explored how the Peace Education Program can play an innovative role in addressing youth violence and other problems. Read a report below from Peace Partners Director Juli Hammersley about the Waves of Change event, plus watch a video recording of it. Thanks to everyone who made this event a success!
Some 70 people from various backgrounds and organizations attended the Waves of Change forum at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls in South London. The day-long event was hosted by Peace Partners in association with the Tutu Foundation UK and Youth Futures. The aim of the event, as summarized by Dr. Mitesh Desai, the day’s chairperson, was “to reflect on how peace can become a reality for us as individuals, for our families, in our communities, and indeed for countries across the world.”
There were presentations on The Prem Rawat Foundation’s Peace Education Program, and we had an area with materials about the Peace Education Program available throughout the day, with further information for anyone who would like to find out more. The Principal from the 6th Form College was very interested and is keen to work with us at his college. We will be meeting with him to take this further.
We were delighted that the Deputy Mayor of Croydon, along with the Imam from Croydon Mosque, attended and addressed the audience. Both are interested in developing peace in their communities. There were a number of groups in attendance from the Croydon area whose work focuses on youth well-being and conflict resolution.
A signing of the Pledge to Peace also took place. Established at the European Parliament, we are thrilled to join other signatories from across the world who are committed to furthering projects that promote a culture of peace.
Measured by the reactions from presenters, attendees (and even from some of the Hall staff helping out!), and by the new connections established, this Peace Day celebration event, in preparation for several months, was a wonderful success!
Comments from attendees included these: “an amazing event,” “an awesome day,” “a brilliant feeling event,” “it was a pleasure to be there,” “a wonderful event.”
And it certainly seems that the remote audience viewing via the live video stream felt the benefit too. One viewer from Australia commented, “I watched for hours last night simultaneously with my son, from over 1,000 kilometres away. We had our phones on so we could comment and enjoy it together. Fantastic. Thank you Peacecast.tv team and Peace Partners U.K. and everyone who contributed.”
We are now following up with the guests who are interested in the Peace Education Program, and we will work with them to help them start facilitating the course.
Watch a video of the event:
