Valencia College’s Annual Global Peace Week Goes Virtual

From Valencia College:

August 27, 2020

“Peace is an optimum environment in which human potential and communities can flourish.”

Each year the Peace and Justice Institute (PJI) at Valencia College celebrates Global Peace Week and the International Day of Peace by hosting a week-long conference. While the events may look different this year in light of COVID-19 and campus closures, PJI will dive into the festivities and events this year from Sept. 21–Sept. 24 in a virtual space, continuing their mission to highlight programming that includes peace education, films, workshops, music, arts and crafts, and more.
The virtual series of events will revolve around one campus-wide schedule, complete with events that will feature guest speakers as well as open discussions with the community. This year, each day will have a separate theme, falling under one of the following categories, Peace Practices, Stress and Resilience, Conflict Transformation and Peace Practices Focused on Race. A new addition to this year’s conference, a benefit awarded by the virtual nature, is the reoccurring children’s hour workshop that engages elementary aged children in the Principles For How We Treat Each Other, joyful movement, and intentional peace art.
A few highlights of the week’s schedule include:

• International Day of Peace, with events focused on peace practices, the PJI’s principles, philosophy and methods of peace, peaceful communication, and a screening of “The Third Harmony” in partnership with the Global Peace Film Festival. Events begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21, with a celebration keynote at 12 p.m.
• Film Screening: “Tomorrow’s Hope: The Promise of Early Childhood Education” on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 – 8 p.m. Presented in partnership with K-Ready Community, Creating a Resilient Community Network, and the Global Peace Film Festival.
• #Votes4All: The Power To Create A More Perfect Democracy: Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 6 – 8 p.m.
• “Kaepernick and the National Anthem”: A workshop examining how Colin Kaepernick’s actions launched a new chapter on peaceful protest on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m.

PJI’s mission is to teach that inner peace is a state of personal well-being and that individuals and communities must live and work together effectively and creatively to assure peace and justice for all, resulting in positive peace. For more information and a complete schedule of events, please go to: "https://valenciacollege.edu/students/peace-justice-institute/what-we-do/virtual-global-peace-week/index.php">https://valenciacollege.edu/students/peace-justice-institute/what-we-do/virtual-global-peace-week/index.php

This press release was produced by Valencia College. The views expressed are the author's own.