International Day of Peace

Here’s a crazy idea: Persuade the world to try living in peace for just one day, every September 21. In this energetic, honest talk, Jeremy Gilley tells the story of how this crazy idea became real — real enough to help millions of kids in war-torn regions. 

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What is the International Day of Peace?

The International Day of Peace, established by United Nations resolution in 1981, provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of Peace on a shared date (September 21). Around the world, the International Day of Peace is used to highlight the U.N. Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001 to 2010. The International Day of Peace (IDOP) has been celebrated annually at the Peace Plaza in Rockford since 2003, hosted by the Keeling and Puri families.

How is the Day of Peace celebrated at the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza?

At the International Day of Peace, 1,500 individuals from the Rock River Valley, including around 1,000 elementary school children learn to:

• Celebrate the cultural heritage of our community
• Understand and appreciate individual differences and similarities
• Become aware of our responsibilities as global citizens to strive for peace in our world

Children, mostly grades three through five, learn about peace through classroom study, music, Peace Day activities and meeting community and global peacemakers.