District 9800 is a Peacebuilder District and a leader in peace projects in Australia, so let’s celebrate the United Nation's International Day of Peace on Tuesday 21st September. Let’s promote peace in our communities, in our clubs and in our hearts. Here are some ideas for you and your club to kick off peace celebrations.We are all encouraged to take this opportunity to celebrate and promote peace in every corner of the world. Here are some ideas for you and your club to get the celebrations going:
- Tell people about the International Day of Peace. Share it on Social Media; tell your family and friends. Ask them what peace means to them.
- On 21 September, do the Four Steps to Peace: Press read more.. for the steps.
STEP 1 Be at Peace – meditate for 15 minutes to be at peace yourself.
STEP 2 Speak your Peace – talk and connect with someone, ask them how they are, ask what’s on their minds. Do this in person, online or on the phone; your connection is what matters.
STEP 3 Write of Peace – use #4steps2peace and share on social media what peace means to you and how you think you can make your community that little bit more peaceful.
STEP 4 Sleep for Peace – share with #4steps2peace what makes you sleep well at night. Maybe take a picture of a favourite teddy bear? Perhaps the book you are reading before going to bed? Maybe a special place where you find the most peace – your ‘secret garden’?
- Smile for Peace – easy to do – make someone (anyone, whether you know them or not) smile. You can do this on 21 September and/or any day and/or every day. Do it any way you can: tell a joke, do a magic trick, just smile at someone (this will either creep them out or make them smile). If you can brighten someone’s day, even for just a moment, you have made this a more peaceful world!
- Learn about peace from the free online Rotary Peace Academy https://rotarypositivepeace.org/. Find out why, as a Rotarian, you are a Peacebuilder and you are helping build peace in your community.
- Your club can get a peace pole for your local school(s). Plant the seed of peace for the next generation and show them that all of us can help build a more peaceful world and each of our efforts count. Find out more here: https://www.rotary100downunder.com/big-ideas/100-peace-poles
- Lead your club to become a Peacebuilder Club and put your club on the peace map! There is no cost and very easy to do. There is also a lot of support in District 9800. Find out more here: www.rotarianactiongroupforpeace.org/peacebuilder-clubs-2
- Lead a club meeting to talk about peace and share ideas to promote peace.
These are just some ideas to start the conversation about peace.
If you would like to know more, please email Gabe at ghau@optusnet.com.au