Youth-led World Peace Day celebration in Manila

On September 21, 2009 Manila joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Day of Peace. The celebration this year was extra special because it was organized and led by the youth!

The Peacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) and the United Religions Initiative SEAP Regional Office partnered with lead convening organization, Generation Peace (GenPeace) youth network and its Peace NGO partners, student organizations, the staff of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, and the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, in coming up with a program held at the Peace Bell area of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

As everyone gathered in a human peace sign the members of the Youth for Unity (Y4U) of the Peacemakers Circle led the interfaith prayers that set the mood for a contemplative celebration of peace. They also prepared copies of a mini brochure on the Ways of Peace for inner peace, harmony with others, and the healing of the earth that were given away during the event.

Peace Mosaic by Muslim and Christian Youth
Youth from the four communities under the PCFI Muslim-Christian Dialogue program -- Tala, Culiat, Quiapo, and Taguig-- painted peace tiles that were installed on the Peace Wall at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. The wall was installed by the GZO Peace Institute GenPeace and the Quezon City government to feature peace messages and symbols by youth all over the Philippines affected by conflict and/ or promoting peace.

Sacred Space, Sacred Circles, Sacred Music
Hosting a sacred space for meditation and reflection as a booth served as a refreshing way for visitors to learn about different faiths as they view the different faith symbols hung around with a giant mandala for peace intentions available for everyone to write on.

During the day, youths from Y4U, Integral Art Metta, Inc. (IAM), and Binhi ng Kapayapaan, Inc. ("seeds of peace") collaborated in creating a stone and tile labyrinth beside the stage for everyone to walk with the intention of seeking inner peace.

PCFI partner SangHabi, provided indigenous music and engaged people in a dance around the area towards the peace wall for the unveiling of the mosaics.

Throughout the program, solidarity messages and cultural presentations by children and youths enlivened the celebration. Another highlight was a video presentation prepared by GenPeace which featured stories of struggle and peace work by youths from different conflict-affected areas in the country (especially Mindanao).

Overall, the event was a huge success with more than 200 participants in attendance. We look forward to more and more youth involvement in celebrating World Peace Day in the coming years!

See more photos here at uriseap.ning.com or here at youth4unity.multiply.com

May Peace Prevail on Earth!

Kapayapaan Nawa'y Manaig sa Daigdig!

PCFI leads interfaith prayers @ OPAPP launch for Peace Month

On September 1, 2009 (Tuesday) The Peacemakers' Circle facilitated the multifaith prayers that started the program launching the Peace Consciousness Month 2009 organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), held at the Peace Bell area of the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

Among the faith representatives were Sanghabi (indigenous call to prayer), Fr. Jose Souza, SJ (Catholic prayer), Alan Berguia (Muslim prayer), Shakuntala Vaswani (Hindu prayer), Raymond Cosare (Tibetan Buddhist prayer), and Tomomi Shima (Shumei prayer).

OPAPP has been organizing this program every year on the first of September for the past 5 years since the signing of the Presidential Decree declaring September as the Peace consciousness month in the Philippines.

For more photos click here