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Well, here we are in a new year and new decade. Our hope is that this decade can advance the cause of peace, and that all of us can be part of that movement.
And the Peace Flag Project has many new ventures, which I think is a sign of people's interest in peace and in hope to make the world a better place. Since last fall we have been involved with the Peace Art Project, which is to culminate in a month-long exhibit of art about peace. Read more about this exciting project below. Maybe you'd even like to participate.
And, of course, we're thinking about the celebration of the UN Peace Day this September. We hope you'll be able to join us for the International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 19 @ Burnside Park, Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence.
Save the date
We'd love to hear back from you with suggestions for the newsletter and feedback on what we're doing.
I hope you are being peace and creating peace everywhere you go.
In peace and gratitude,
Ginny Fox |
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The Peace Flag Project: Recent Activities and Events |
| Peace Flag Project's Exciting New Venture |
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Peace Art Partnership
This year we are involved in a wonderful art project that will expand awareness of the Int'l Day of Peace and create a large exhibit of art about peace. Our partners are Steve Pennell (URI Feinstein Providence Campus Urban Arts and Culture Program), Rebecca Siemering (Providence Art Windows), Jodi Glass (RI Commission on Prejudice and Bias), and Deanna Camputaro (Arts, Communication, and Teaching Academy of Central Falls High School.
The Peace Art Partnership will mount peace art exhibitions in September 2010. The exhibits will take place in downtown Providence at the URI Providence Arts and Culture Program and Providence Art Windows. The 2010 exhibits will be free to the public.
It has been an inspiration to watch these annual peace celebrations grow year after year. We are particularly pleased that in 2010 the peace celebration will span the whole month of September." Local professional artists and artists of all ages, community arts groups and peace groups are invited to submit work.
Please contact Steven Pennell at 401-277-5206 or at
spennel@etal.rui.edu |
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Peace News |
No Name Calling Week
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The PFP was the kick-off event for the No Name Calling Week at the West Nottingham Elementary School in Hudson, New Hampshire. The entire school of 760 children was able to make Peace Flags, which are now hanging in their hallways as reminders of their good ideas and intentions. Students from Kindergarten to 5th Grade participated, creating thoughtful and caring messages. No Naming Calling Week, which is coordinated by Guidance Counselor, Gloria Eno, was a big success. The purpose of the week was for students to be
more sensitive to name calling and bullying and to give students the opportunity to reflect on their own behavior. The program was a natural extension and reinforcement of the character education program at Nottingham West. It's so great that such peaceful projects are happening in our schools. |
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Good News |
Calling All Crows
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State Radio, an amazing Boston-based band, donated an afternoon for community service with the Peace Flag Project. The band was in Providence to perform at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel. State Radio and their adjunct community service group Calling All Crows came to First Unitarian Church of Providence to help out the Peace Flag Project. The band and Calling All Crows do community service in each city they perform in.
Their social conscience is reflected in their music as well as their actions. The trio has been described as "fire-breathing poets of justice who sing about ordinary people in extraordinary ways, and can turn the world inside out with three chords and the truth." In addition to their fabulous music and mission, the State Radio and Calling All Crows, mobilize musicians and fans to promote human rights and to inspire community service. "It's the only way I know how to do it," says singer/guitarist Stokes about the band's impassioned social consciousness. "It's the only way State Radio has done it. This has always been an organic, grassroots thing. It's about trying to be true to what we do."
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Good News |
Greg Mortenson's Three Cups of Tea and the Military
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Greg Mortenson is a gentle and generous man who has worked to build more than 150 schools in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is a genuine hero of our time who has worked for peace by promoting education - especially for girls.
I have loved both his books Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools. One thing that fascinated me in his second book was Mortenson's developing a kinship with the military serving in Afghanistan - something that might surprise a lot of us. Mortenson writes:
"Of the hundreds of soldiers I have spoken with during the past six years who have been deployed in Afghanistan, almost every one of them firmly believes that the best way to augment our security is by truly being of service to the Afghan people - and moreover, that the capacity to render this service meaningfully and well is predicated upon listening, understanding, and building relationships. In this respect, the goal of enhancing our own security is best achieved by enhancing theirs. And the most critical building block to accomplishing both is education."
I wish we did not have soldiers in harm's way, and these wars have been horrific, devastating on both sides -- but I am impressed that so many soldiers have seen beyond the horror and found the humanity in a terrible situation. To be in such difficult circumstances as a war presents and yet come to truly see and understand the people they are trying to help is a triumph of kindness and compassion. |
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Good News |
Compassion Counts More Than Ever
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Americans are volunteering in record numbers. People are working for causes they believe in, and they believe that individual efforts can make a difference. Hurray!!! Recently Parade Magazine wrote about this wonderful phenomenon in an article entitled "Compassion Counts More Than Ever" by Michael J. Berland.
"America is in the midst of a boom--and one that is benefiting and bonding us all. 'Public service' has become more than a phrase or a school requirement in our country--it's now a way of life for Americans of all ages. . I think part of what is driving the overall increase is the growing understanding that service is an essential tool to achieve community and national goals, says Patrick Corvington, CEO of the federal Corporation for National and Community Service."
The Americans surveyed by PARADE are particularly proud of one very personal way that they're contributing to the greater good: Ninety percent said that they are working hard to teach their children the importance of activism. |
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Peace Flag Project 2010 Events |
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Peace Program
Norwood Elementary School
Warwick, RI
Peace Program
Holliman Elementary School
Warwick, RI
Providence After School Alliance
Samuel W. Bridgham Middle School
Providence , RI
Providence After School Alliance
Delsesto-Springfield Middle School
Providence , RI
April
Interfaith Peace Service
Kingston Congregational Church
Kingston, RI
April 11 at 3:30 pm
www.kingcongchurch.org
Party for the Planet
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Providence, RI
www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org
May
Providence After School Alliance
Esek Hopkins Middle School
Providence , RI
Providence After School Alliance
Roger Williams Middle School
Providence , RI
September
International Day of Peace
7th Annual Celebration : September 19. 2010
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Peace Circle at Sowams Elementary School, Barrington, Rhode Island |
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Peace is not something you wish for;
it's something you make, something you do, something you are,
and something you give away.
- Robert Fulghum |
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Peace Quote |
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Peace Quote |
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We are the peacemakers. Peace is in our hands.
 -- Ginny Fox |
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