OCU home of International Day of Peace-Pinwheels for Peace OKC 2011

We received the confirmation that two professors from the School of Religion will be heading the OCU that will be working with the Pinwheels for Peace team. We are pleased to work with Jennifer Long and Joe Meinhart.

A culture of Peace: 100 days count down to International Day of Peace

This year marks the 30th annual International Day of Peace. This occasion was created by the UN General Assembly in 1981 in a resolution that was unanimously adopted by every Nation State.

Following is news from many participants around the world, including some time sensitive information. We will start with Peace Day TV, because many of us can be involved by featuring its web-based broadcasts on our web sites - over 2,000 organizations did so last year. This year, they have a Program Preview available beginning on June 13th to mark the 100 day countdown to the International Day of Peace.

Peace Day TV:
Unity Foundation and its Peacebuilding partners are pleased to announce the 3rd annual "PEACE DAY" 2011 Global Internet Broadcast celebrating the UN International Day of Peace. The purpose of the broadcasts is to promote the vitally important work of the United Nations, its humanitarian agencies, and other organizations throughout the world working for peace, the environment, human rights, social and economic justice. This year's broadcast, themed "Peace is the Goal", will give major focus to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The broadcast will span 5 days from September 17th to September 21st. Plus, beginning on September 11th, as a lead up to this 5 day internet event, there will be live streaming of We The World's "11 Days of Global Unity" special events taking place across the planet (see below). The Broadcast website is www.peaceday.tv More importantly, any organization can embed the "Peace Player" to carry this year's broadcast on their own website.

On June 13th, the "PEACE DAY" 2011 Global Internet Broadcast will be launched with a two hour Program Preview, marking the 100 Day Countdown to Peace Day. The Preview will provide an overview of the content of the entire 5 day broadcast. The Launch will begin at 12 noon (PST) on Monday, June 13th. Please visit www.peaceday.tv to view the Launch and Program Preview. For information concerning how non-profit organizations and socially responsible businesses can participate in the "PEACE DAY" 2011 Global Internet Broadcast please contact Unity Foundation at unityfoundation1@aol.com.

This year a host of humanitarians, musicians, actors, sport figures and authors are coming together to participate in the "PEACE DAY" 2011 Global Internet Broadcast these include: UN Messengers of Peace

June 13th 100-Day countdown for the International Day of Peace at the UN
As it has done for a few years now, the UN Department of Public Information hopes to initiate a 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace on Monday, June 13th, during which Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver his annual message along with this year's theme. All member nations of the General Assembly will be encouraged to participate, as will people and organizations across the planet. During the 100-day countdown UN departments and agencies, and affiliated NGOs, announce plans for their programs and observances of the International Day of Peace. There will be a focus on youth involvement this year.


International Day of Peace
Peace Pals Art Exhibition
Ambassador of Peace Collection
As we approach the 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace, tens of thousands of events are being planned worldwide to focus on, educate and celebrate the theme of Peacebuilding. The Culture of Peace Initiative is especially pleased this year to offer you the opportunity to host and exhibit the artwork of youth from around the world as part of your International Day of Peace program. The Peace Pals Ambassador of Peace collection features artwork of youth between the ages of 5 and 16 representing 63 countries of the world. Each artwork is a masterpiece giving expression to the hope, aspirations and inner beauty inherent within the hearts of youth everywhere. Included on each artwork is the message, "May Peace Prevail On Earth". The Exhibition is made possible through a joint collaboration between the Culture of Peace Initiative and Peace Pals International. To read more about how to organize your International Day of Peace - Peace Pals Art Exhibition go to: http://www.wppspeacepals.org/idp


Planetary Week for a Better World, June 18 - 26
Offered in collaboration with Pathways To Peace and many other organizations, this Culture of Peace special program offers every human being the possibility to share and celebrate his or her contribution to a better world. This annual event was organized last year for the first time, and half a million people were involved on five continents. This year, more than 25 million people are already preparing for this. The grace and impact of this week will arise from many human beings making inner Peace shine with what they actually do – through everything they experience, create, and transform. To find out how you can participate and contribute, please look at the full announcement on the Culture of Peace website and/or visit the Planetary Week for a Better World website (You may need to use a web based translator, such as a Google tool bar to view this in English): www.the-planetary-week.org

Universal Peace Day:
August 6 & 7, 2011 is Universal Peace Day, commemorating the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On those days there will be a global observance and worldwide broadcasts. The event, LIVE PEACE INTERNATIONAL will commence in the city of Hiroshima, during which runners in a relay will bring the torch of peace into the city at dawn, their time, to light the fire of HOPE AND PEACE. Following is a world wide cultural exchange between 125 countries participating with music, dance, theater, art, and indigenous customs. Musical performances include Pete Seeger, REM, Melissa Etheridge, Nenad Bach, and many more. Be a representative for your country, city, or town by registering your event at www.livepeaceinternational.org

To view this on line, tune in at Peace Day TV, the United Nations Peace page, or any other site carrying the Peace Day Global Broadcast Player. Also, public service announcements will be aired during these broadcasts, encouraging participation in observances of the International Day of Peace. www.peaceday.tv


11 Days ~ 11 Ways / Sept. 11th - Sept. 21st:
2011 marks the 10th anniversary of the tragic events surrounding September 11, 2001 as well as the 30th anniversary of the UN International Day of Peace, September 21st. Recognizing these historic events, We, The World, with the support of the United Religions Initiative and in consultation with the World Peace Prayer Society and Pathways To Peace, has launched 11 Days of Global Unity - 11 Ways to Change the World. This year, the "11 Days - 11 Ways" campaign connects Sept. 11 and Sept 21 with a transformative global program of solutions focused on 11 aspects of social change. Goals address reframing the media and political dialogue by promoting sustainable solutions, and creating a platform for collaboration and coordinated action that builds a culture of peace and environmental stewardship for a world that works for all. The 11 Days & Ways cover all of the UN's Millennium Development Goals and more; they are: Unity, Interdependence, Environment, Economic Justice, Health, Children & Youth, Women, Human Rights, Freedom, Disarmament, and The International Day of Peace.

Anticipated participants include the thousands of organizations and individuals that annually take part in the 11 Days of Global Unity and the International Day of Peace. 11 Days of Global Unity was first launched by We, The World in 2004 with the support of Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Bill McKibben, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Daniel Ellsberg, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Marianne Williamson, Jonathan Granoff, Hazel Henderson, Robert Thurman, Riane Eisler, William Schulz and other visionary leaders from around the world. 11 Days now annually includes over 700 associated events in more than 60 countries. Register your organization as a partner at www.WE.net/11days . We The World will begin to promote your group's activities to a global audience - hopefully increasing the number of people you reach, increasing the number of allied organizations you can exchange resources and support with, and increasing the number of media mentions you receive. People can also volunteer to help by emailing 11days11ways@WeTheWorld.org


Peace Poles:
Peace Poles can be a centerpiece to your International Day of Peace program! Peace Poles carry the message, May Peace Prevail On Earth. Tens of thousands of Peace Poles have been planted the world over as an international monument dedicated to the spirit of peacebuilding. Peace Poles come in various sizes which can be displayed on tables, altars, and podiums as well as planted outdoors. Please join the thousands of organizations and people who will be celebrating the International Day of Peace by including a Peace Pole as part of their observances. www.peacepoleproject.org


International Day of Peace Facebook page. There are over 33,000 members in our International Day of Peace Facebook group. Please sign up and encourage people in your network to also do so. Posts cover Peacebuilding activities year round from all over the planet. In fact, every day member organizations and individuals post about their own activities and efforts. It is a great source of inspiration and for networking. www.facebook.com/peaceday.


Global Peace Film Festival:
The 8th Annual Global Peace Film Festival, Sept. 20 - 25, 2011, is a celebratory event to honor those who promote global and community awareness of peace and environmental sustainability. Each year films from all over the world address topics such as: women's, children and workers' rights; environmental problems & solutions; community organizing; hunger & homelessness; the personal affects of war; indigenous cultures; water rights; health; interfaith alliances; abused children; racial intolerance; and disarmament. www.peacefilmfest.org


Get involved:
Following are some of the organizations involved in the annual global observance of the International Day of Peace (in alphabetical order). They are located all across the globe. Many have hundreds of chapters or affiliates internationally; and many have hundreds of activities observing the International Day of Peace - some have thousands. There are also thousands of grassroots efforts around the world that observe this occasion: ABC 4 All, Aim High Institute, Amnesty International, The Barka Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, CARE, Caritas International, Celebrate Positive, Celebration Earth; Children of the Earth, Circle of Peace, Coalition for Peace Action, Council for Social Development & Human Rights, The Culture of Peace Initiative, Difrent, Dominican Leadership Conference, Earthdance International, ENO Programme, Franciscans International, Friends of the United Nations, The Gandhi Tour, Global Family, The Global Alliance for Ministries and Departments of Peace, Global Family for Love and Peace, The Global Mala Yoga for Peace Project, The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict, The Goi Peace Foundation, Humanity’s Team, IDP Vigils, Interfaith Peacebuilding Initiative, The International Holistic Tourism Education Centre, The Jane Goodall Institute, Just Peace Creation, The London Week of Peace, Mayors for Peace, Ministry for Peace, Montessori Schools, The National Peace Academy, National Youth Coalition, Odyssey Networks, Omega Institute, One World Youth Project, Ontario Day of Peace, Pathways To Peace, Paz Con Todo, The Peacemakers Circle, The Peace Alliance, Peace Day Parade, Peace Foundation, Peace in Our Lifetime, Peace International Foundation, The Peace Pole Project, Peace Messenger Cities, PeaceJam, Peace One Day, Peace X Peace, Pinwheels for Peace, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Projecto 3ier Milenio, Railroad Street Youth Project, Religions for Peace, The Ribbon International, Roots & Shoots, Rotary International, Service for Peace, The Student Peace Alliance, The ThinkPeace Network, School Sisters of Notre Dame, Soka Gakkai International, UNACTO, UNICEF, United Church of Christ, The United Nations, The United Religions Initiative, United Sikhs International, The Unity Foundation, Universal Peace Federation, The Valentine Peace Project, Vigil for International Peace & Ecology, VIVAT International, We The World, The Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources, Women & Children Development, World Council of Churches, The World Peace Prayer Society, Youth Ambassadors for Peace.


Youth Projects for the International Day of Peace:
Several of these organizations have programs for the International Day of Peace that involve young people. Some of these are: The Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots, Pinwheels for Peace, The ENO Programme, PeaceJam, Circle of Peace, The Railroad Street Youth Project, the United Religions Initiative, Peace Messenger Cities, Peace One Day, Mayors for Peace, Just Peace Creation and Youth Ambassadors for Peace. Also, the United Nations CyberSchoolBus provides a substantial web presence for activities for schoolchildren for the International Day of Peace.


As always, please post your 2011 'Peace Day' events on our web sites www.internationaldayofpeace.org and www.cultureofpeace.org. Events posted there will be included in the annual Culture of Peace Initiative Report to the United Nations. Also, events posted to either web site automatically show up on both web sites. Thank you.


May Peace Prevail On Earth


This newsletter is offered by Pathways To Peace, International Secretariat of the Culture of Peace Initiative, and a UN Peace Messenger organization. Pathways To Peace has been involved with the International Day of Peace since it's inception in 1981 and has nurtured this occasion from a single event of a few hundred people into an annual global observance that is inter-cultural and inter-generational in nature, and that reaches hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Pathways To Peace has created and maintained the dedicated websites for the International Day of Peace and the Culture of Peace Initiative; we produce and distribute this newsletter; we held a successful campaign to have the International Day of Peace listed on most calendars across the globe; we are continually involved with communications and planning about this annual event both inside and beyond UN circles. Last year we helped to create the UN's slogan for the International Day of Peace: Peace = Future. To learn more about our programs, networks, campaigns and support materials please see our websites.
Pathways To Peace is a nonprofit organization, whose work would not be possible without our volunteers and your support. Please click here to donat

Transformation through service

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ACTUALIZING SIX BILLION PATHS TO PEACE

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Our small on-campus group met on Monday afternoon. To give you a very quick update: we are checking availability of the Great Hall in the McDaniel Center on Sunday afternoon, September 18, for a "family-day/pinwheel/origami crane-making event from 2 to 5 p,m, and availability on Wednesday, September 21, from 5 to 7 or 8 p.m. For the pinwheels for peace "Peace Fair-type" event that could be help outside in the Quad if weather permits.

Jennifer Long, one of the leaders of our group, has asked that we hold off on another meeting with the full group until mid-April after our presidential inauguration, which includes a week of events on campus, and our annual "Love, Not Hate" event, which Jennifer organizes.

Our group now includes an adjunct faculty member in justice studies who worked last year at OCCC last year when that school participated in the pinwheels for peace events that occurred at UCO.

So, just wanted to let you know that we are moving forward and have identified student groups that we will ask to help with this project. We really hope that the students will take the lead as much as possible as our understanding is that this should be a student & art teacher led event to honor its origins, right? I think that is how you started our first meeting on this.

I will ask Diana to set a next meeting on our campus for mid-April and will send you a list of our organizers. I'll also draft the letter of support as soon as I hear about the availability of our facilities.

Hope this all helps.

Oh, and I love the sketch!

Mary B.

Pinwheels for peace founding team meeting: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 5:00-6:00

Attendance: Mikel Ibarra (CAST for the World) Carmen Clay (Casady School, Service-Learning), Bill Bryant (United Nations of Greater Oklahoma), Joan Korenblit (Respect Diversity Foundation-on phone), Steve

Not Attending but participing:  Gigi Hu (JASO-Films with discussion and tea time food-applying for grant-, possible performers). Sue Tarr: Thrilled with what I read about the direction Pinwheels is taking. I think it will appeal to many people—and we originally had it on a week day, and had our best attendance. OCU is centrally located and having indoor and outdoor activities is great---last year’s program was so HOT-weather wise. Annye Love: I am interested in participating in this event, however I have other obligations on Weds @ 5 pm and cannot attend planning meetings on those days. Let me know how else I may help, 501-1299, Lashimi, Dee Freeland 

Agenda

1. Converging with the founders of the Pinwheels for Peace at Casady School
Focus meeting on how to make it go right
Either indoor or outdoors, but not both
Right kind of location:  Indoor preferred
Help from OCU will make it best
Report from OCU by Bill ...waiting for us to define what we want to to
Students involved in the planning
Mark Davis...Oikos Program will be great asset
Speakers, departments, university will help???
Big Idea....gigantic mosaic...song...dance...ritualized ....everybody is a part of it....wonderful idea, but something easy...leaf of a pinwheel


2. Connecting to OCU:  OCU welcomes the Pinwheels for Peace on their campus.  Mary Benner was instrumental in opening doors, but will be unable to be part of the organizing team: "After next week's meeting, I will let you know who the "leaders" for OCU will be and other than being an interested attendee/participant in the activities next September, I won't be an organizing partner."

3. Developing collaborations for the International Day of Peace Festival
a. Every organization could run an aspect of before and after festival...Name of Festival does not need to be Pinwheels for Peace...Maybe "International Day of Peace Festival is more inclusive..."  We hope OCU students would take ownership of this aspect of the festival.  We just want one of the components to be the Pinwheels ushering everyone to the main event which we hope it will be inside in a location that might be circular for active participation
b. Joan hoped for speakers to be from OCU instead of RDF this year.  Carmen said that speaker series could be connected to the film series.  Mikel and Steve wanted more interaction with multicultural performances and very short inspirational, interactive speakers.  Mikel has the list of performers.  She will contact them.
c. Steve will create the inclusive finale which will place our heart, mind and actions in harmony with peace at the heart of the festival.  We are very excited about this.  He also suggested the creation of a giant pinwheel, parts maybe coming from all the venues participating.  It might be as simple as feather brought by the participants for that purpose.
d. Carmen and Mikel wanted to keep the connections to pinwheels made at schools and churches.  Interested youth facilitators will bring the pinwheels and hopefully their students.   We hope, if funding is found that  food, prizes and entertainment, as well as more intentional advertisement will bring some extra people next year.
e. Mikel wants to continue the giant pinwheel contest........
f. Steve wants to record the whole thing, even if not many people come, we at least have a video we can place on Youtube for following years.  Maybe the video production OCU students would be interested in helping Steve.

4. Creating a proposal of the "process" of the International Day of Peace Festival.  Mikel is creating a visual of what we see happening on September 21, but are opened to other ideas being connected to our vision.  What happens before and after the festival, we want to be connected, but look for OCU's leadership to guide the organization and location of venues.

5. Creating a letter to take to Shinnyo-en Foundation on April 5th.  Everyone who attended the meeting with draft a part of letter relating their area of interest.  Carmen will put the letter together and take it to Shinnyo-en.

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Converging & Connecting Pinwheels for Peace Meeting, Monday, March 7, 11-12 p.m.

Thank you for everything Mary. Another person from OCU who wants to join our team is my friend, Teresa Rendon.


Meeting Minutes (Gigi and Bill, please tell me if I missed something)

Participants: Mary Brenner, Rick Hall, Gigi Hu, Carmen Clay, Bill Bryant, Jennifer Long, Mark Davis. Next meeting: Week of March 21 or 28, 12:30-1:05 WILL EMPOWER CASADY STUDENTS TO ATTEND.

Background
a.Pinwheels for Peace Festival: Visual Celebration of the International Day of Peace. Bill explained that the event is dynamic and has evolved over time. Various sponsors have different motives for participating. He also brought a message from Mikel Ibarra, entrusted facilitator of the festival: Please keep K-12 art focus and participation relevant.

b. Carmen explained Casady's experience with Pinwheels for Peace. From art service-foreign language curriculum enhancement collaborative project to advocacy project for Peace One day connected to Jeremy Gilley Peace ONE Day initiative. Carmen explained that Pinwheels for Peace organizers are looking for a permanent location for a festival that makes the arts vehicles to k-16 peace education and social justice advocacy.

c. Gigi explained the connection with Japan America Society, anime films and paper cranes for peace, as an example of format for Peace film series. OCU sponsors similar film series.

Conclusion: There seems to be fertile ground for Pinwheels-4-Peace Festival @ OCU.

Possible Schedule connecting to existing OCU activities
When?

September 11: Begins peace film festival (with food provided by OCU Sodexo) and pinwheels and peace paper crane making at various venues, ie OCU, Casady. 10th Anniversary of September 11th. Social Justice: Jennifer Long mentioned inclusion of collaboration with existing service projects. September 11th falls on a Sunday next year. Casady School will request an Interfaith, intergenerational afternoon of service at the Food Bank.

September 18-24: OIKOS Conference connections, collaborations with student organizations and curricular areas (Dan May, Jennifer Long, Robyn Myers, John Starkey are possible faculty collaborators: Sustainability, Social Justice, possible workshops and speakers. Other "probables" mentioned at the meeting were: Jody Horn-Justice Studies; Michelle Howard). Jennifer Long mentioned highlighting OCU's existing service projects.

September 21: Family affair-Interfaith Celebration of commonalities: service and peace: Pinwheels-4-Peace Celebration of International Day of Peace. September 21th fall on a Wednesday-Church Day! K-12 schools encourage to have their own campus celebrations during the regular school day. Teachers, youth groups "could" bring their pinwheels late afternoon.

OCU students "could" plant pinwheels made from September 11-21 around the quad or where weather will permit it; or they would suggest as best location. OCU students will add to the pull of the multicultural tapestry of entertainers that Mikel and Joan bring. OCU speaker bureau and Respect Diversity Foundation Speakers will provide motivational brief speeches in between performances. Mikel will continue her promotion of giant pinwheel contest. Prizes will be provided by collaborating organizations. Funding will be requested via grant writing from the Shinnyo-en Foundation. Carmen will deliver letter of funding request April 6, 2011 to CEO, Haru Inouye. Jennifer Long mentioned having service project booths. Peace organizations will also want booths. Carmen requested consideration of all booths bringing pinwheels as part of their participation requirement.

Suggested September 21 schedule by Dr. Davis. Sodexo, Kelly Keagan, chef

5:30-6:15: International Finger Food @ convenient location with array of international "healthy drinks."

6:15-8:00: Festival-Celebration Program, location and process to be brainstormed at next meeting

Who? TBD Dr. Hall suggested getting student groups involved early...ASAP. Carmen and GiGi advocated for OCU student leadership to be part of the organizing team of this festival and be invited to next meeting.

Where? TBA by OCU

Why? Various sponsors have different motives for participating. Gigi, Bill and Carmen will make brochure requested by Dr. Hall: Inclusive with flexibility of participation

What and How? Ideas for consideration

-Film festival at diverse locations September 11-25 facilitated by intergenerational facilitators. Films mentioned: On a Paper Crane, Tomoko's Adventure; Barefot Gen, Peace Tree, Youth for Human Rights Films. OCU did not bring other films for consideration.

-Festival on September 21 with food, t-shirts (maybe from Shinnyo-en), dance, music, pinwheels of different sizes...some "green pinwheels" Giant Pinwheel context, booths and tables

-Connections to OCU existing curricular areas, student leadership, OIKOS Conference



To Do List:

1. Mary requested placing activities for consideration of the OCU calendar manager ASAP.

2. Dr. Hall requested a flyer to be presented to OCU students. Ownership from student organizations a must for pinwheels to be part of the culture of the school. The WHY is still too broad. Gigi, Bill, Mikel, Joan and Carmen will have a preliminary flyer for Dr. Hall's consideration before next meeting. SAVE THE DATE type flyer!

3. Gigi and Carmen requested consideration to invite OCU student leadership to the next meeting.

4. Carmen will try to bring Casady YAC members to next meeting.12:30-1:05 is possible for students not to miss class, week of March 21, or 28

5. Dr. Davis explained that there are courses with PEACE, sustainability, social justice, and service-learning. The likelyhood of faculty embracing this project is good. He will contact Robin Myers, Dan May, and John Starkey for that purpose.

6. Dr. Davis also offered to e-mail contact information of the Sodexo chef, (Kelly Keagan?) for Carmen to brainstorm food possibilities.