Education Law

I Want World Peace...

Well, it?s happened. These are no longer the lofty words spoken by a young twenty something as she answers a question for the Miss America pageant. And today, seven years after 9/11, is it any wonder that a day of cease fire seems like a wonderful but lofty idea? A dream that, as Americans and educators, we hope to rub the sleepies from our eyes and wake to a world of non-violence so our children don't have to know war the way we have and the way many generations before have come to know it so well.

World peace... a full day. Twenty four little hours of peace seem to finally be within reach. How is this possible? Well one man, Jeremy Gilley, dreamed of the intangible in 1999 and was just crazy enough to pursue the dream of a day of cease fire, a day of world peace. This British born dreamer used his skills in film production to gain the support from all sectors of society; governments, businesses, influential people, and individuals across the globe. As a result, September 21, 2008 has been declared and agreed upon as the international day of peace. As cynics across the globe hold their breath and prepare to roar in laughter and make snood remarks if September 21 fails to produce Jeremy?s idealistic dream, this movement is 15,000+ strong and steadily growing.

But has his dream already been accomplished? Regardless of the outcome, has he already triumphed? He has received the support and word of countries and governmental organizations around the world that they will seek peace on September 21. They have agreed that September 21 will be an international day of cease fire. And even more importantly, this young man, filled with lofty ideals, has stirred the dream for peace in the hearts of many that once thought ?peace? was something placed on greeting cards during the holidays and mentioned during the Miss America Pageant. Peace is now tangible? isn?t that an accomplishment in and of itself? The thought that one man with passion and a mission can achieve world peace, even if for just a day, is a nice reminder that we are only limited by our dreams. That?s pretty amazing!

And you can bring this wonderful day of non-violence into your classrooms and celebrate it with your students. Peace One Day has created an educational guide for introducing students to conflict and conflict resolution, the power of dreams, and the hope for tomorrow. The below video demonstrates Jeremy?s pursuit of peace.

Peace One Day Video

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on September 11, 2008 (boomark / email).