Shaka students celebrate International Peace Day, September 21, by skyping with classes in Uruguay and Pakistan. Students cross cultures by sharing their definitions of “peace,” their culture’s best quotes regarding “peace,” and swap stories about actions they are taking to build peace. Click here to see how it started.
Here’s a reflection Erika wrote after skyping with the class in Uruguay:
“Peace starts with we. We think unerringly the same, although we live so far away. We are not the only ones striving for peace. We are not the only ones taking action. We are not alone. “
See Jeremy Gilley, the founder of Peace One Day, Facebook Page where he shares Shaka House’s story of skyping with students in Pakistan.
South Medford High School - Shaka House of Freshman Academy 
Hey, I hear Ms. Stover’s math classes are parading the Peace Doves again this year. Is it true the students are meeting for this at the beginning of lunch, Wednesday, in the commons?
Yes, it’s true. Not only that, but we are all invited. Celebrate a day of cease-fire.
Best wishes to Dave and Stacey. Keep up the good work and have courage in the face of the difficulties sure to come. Kids will remember these days for a long time and hopefully come to that special understanding that seems to have eluded my generation, namely, why don’t we…… GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. The alternative methods aren’t working out too well these days, right?
Cheerios
Dr Cool J,
Emeritus Historicus,
South Medford High School
I want to start another thread of comments. How can I get a Peace Day T-shirt?
You get one by bringing the shirt you want painted to Mr. Lefkowitz, room A150. Stick around and you can choose your design and colors.
Nice to see young generations of different backgrounds coming together for a common cause “PEACE”. I think the World is short of it and We Can make it sure TOGETHER……
Mr. Lefkowitz’ World Studies class together wrote this to Yasir:
“We need to unite together to gain peace. We hope our efforts will start a chain so we can unite to get true peace around the world. Yasir, we would like to say, ‘Thank you for noticing efforts and supporting our actions.'”
Thank you and now that you have noticed that we are trying to make a difference in the world, I ask you to join us and try to make a change in the world so the whole world can know what peace really means. From anonymous
It was my immense pleasure and honor talking with you. I would also like to thank Mr. David for providing me an opportunity to speak to his students. I am really looking forward to again work on mutual projects and make this World a much better place to live in for our coming generations.
The opposite of war is not peace; it’s creation.
— Unknown
“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
To me the quote means that we can’t expect peace to just come. We have to take action. And the first actions we can take is to make peace within our lives.
Skyping with Pakistan meant a lot to me; More than just being able to talk to someone else from another country, something special in and of itself. It was amazing how I could talk to someone from halfway across the world, someone who I would never talk to in my life otherwise, and we were all able to share ideas, speaking calmly. And even though our country has dropped bombs in their country, killing innocent people, writing it off as “collateral damage,” we were all able to discuss peace and how to achieve it. This gives me hope, hope for the future, and this never-ending war. The U.S. has been in various countries in the Middle East for more than half my life, and all of my younger brother’s life. It gives me hope, that as our parents’ and grand-parents’ generations step down from power, in every country around the world, and our generation steps into power, we can make the world a better place, we can achieve peace. We can fix all the problems our parents and grandparents inadvertently left for us. The Skype with Pakistan, a conversation between students in America and students in Pakistan, over one single topic, peace, proved it. We no longer have to depend on the adults to solve these problems, we’re coming of age, we can start solving these, and if others my age start spreading the word while we’re still “just kids” we can make a big difference when were adults. I mean after all, if we can sit down and talk calmly with others from different countries, which is something adults can never seem to do, think about what’s in store for the future?
This gave me hope; we “kids” can make this a better world, our world.
“War doesn’t solve the world’s problems, it only makes more of them.”
– Trigg Ethridge
To me this quote means that peace is the point in the world’s time where we have worked together to solve the world’s problems.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace
— Jimi Hendrix
This quote means to me that once the world will stop being greedy for each other’s possessions and lands we will know true peace. To me it also means that everyone should love each other instead of each other’s things or possessions. No wars, no conflict, just peace.
Peace to me means no violence, and I think it’s awesome that we have a day to stop fighting, get alone and help those who need it the most. Even though most of us don’t get alone it’s good to have a day where we can set aside our differences.
I’m just sharing my thoughts on International Peace Day and peace in general. I believe that peace is created by tolerance. Like Gandhi said, “You can’t shake hands with a closed fist”, meaning you need to be tolerant of the person before you can have peace with the person. I also believe that Peace day is a big step towards peace, because people have a day to recognize in honor of peace, and it provides some motivation and puts the idea of peace in the heads of people who wouldn’t think of being tolerant towards other cultures.
Many people believe world peace to be a Utopian idea, but thinking like that will not help anything, whereas striving to achieve this “Utopian” goal will make a difference, whether world peace is achieved or not. To conquer a challenge, one must believe that it can be conquered.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
-Jimi Hendrix
“We look forward to the time when the power of love will replace the love of power, then will our world know the blessings of peace.” -unknown
I believe that International Peace Day is just one brick in a wall of ways to get to peace.For International Peace Day this year, my world studies class had the priviligde to skype with a high school class in Pakistan. This was one of the most amazing experiences i have ever had! And what was even more incredible is that their first language is Urdu and this class was speaking English with us! It was awesome that we were able to understand and discuss peace and what peace means with them. From now on i will be laying my brick in helping to build the wall to get to world-wide peace!
A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser. – William Shakespeare
Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.
We cannot just expect peace to come to us, we have to put our words into action. International Peace Day is a huge act that bring us all one step closer to world peace. I think it’s great that most countries in the world can agree to stop fighting and have peace for just one day.
This just in from a student who wishes to remain anonymous:
~”You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”~
– Indhira Ghandi
This quote is very important to me. It reminds me, as it should you, that we are the “chosen generation.” We are the generation that can make a difference in not only this country, but in this entire world. The generation before us is divided- some want peace, and some want war, but our generation has the power and the knowledge to end this war. As our parents and grandparents step down, we step up, and my question is, will you step up with us, or against us? Are you going to ignore the problems in the world, and blame this world’s problems on other people, or are you going to help us, and stand with us, to say “Let this war stop!” We need to step up and make peace with our fellow human beings! We need to work together, to let go of the anger and frustration, the greediness and pride that got us into this war, and we need to remember that we are bombing and killing – let me repeat, killing – our fellow humans, that have feelings and parents, kids, and wives, husbands and friends, just like we do. Our generation has to step up and take responsibility for these actions, and stop them! So let me suggest that you do one thing… that you take one day, once a year, and stop to remember these people, and maybe we can step up and make that once a month! Our generation is the chosen generation! We can make the changes in everyone’s mind reality!
– Student from Mr. Lefkowitz’ World Studies Class
Peace is not just a absence of war, it is a state of mind, a virtue, a disposition for confidence, and justice. It is about everyone giving what they have, but also allowing yourself to hear what everyone else has to give.
Peace is not something that will come easily, peace takes teamwork. We all have to come together and help quiet the world for a day or even more. Peace is a bigger word than most people would think. It has a lot of meaning, and inside that meaning are things like teamwork, encouragement, friendships and even love.
P- people
E- everywhere
A- all
C- can
E- encourage “peace”
-Mercedes
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
-Jimi Hendrix
I first read the quote in my World Studies class. I choose it to be my favorite peace quote. It really stood out to me, because I find it to be very true for the world. People now, even those from history, have had a thirst for power and have looked to quench this thirst. Until we get over this thirst, we can’t have true peace.
“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.”
-Mohandas Gandhi
To me, this quote means that if you are wronged by someone and then you retaliate against them, then the world will become a less peaceful place. If you show peace and compassion to the person who wronged you, then the world will be a better place.
“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
I find this quote very true because we who want there to be peace in this world have to do more than just wish for it, we have to make it happen by actin. Even if it’s one act at time, it’s one more step closer to world peace, it just takes time and patience. I love that there is one day dedicated this, one day where everyone in the world can celebrate peace.
I think that Freerice.com plays a part in having peace in the world. As a class when we log on we end up giving substantial amounts of rice to countries in need, such as Cambodia. I believe that a lot of people talk about how they are going to help make peace in the world, but never do. With the website Freerice.com, it is easy to do your part and help countries in need.
It’s so wonderful to be able to speak with students from other countries. The best way to create peace, not just on one day, but on every day, is with communication and friendship. While we were skyping it was awesome to see how the students of Pakistan were so willing to laugh and smile despite what they’re going through. A big “Thank you” to teachers and students of Pakistan!
Peace, just peace one day would be such a pleasure. When countries are not spilling blood. Blood of both the innocent and, well, the not so innocent. When students can sit in a classroom somewhere and learn and understand their education without fear of a bomb dropping on their heads. When kids can walk the streets freely without fear. When a father can play ball with his son, a mother can teach her daughter how to sew a ripped dress. When guns are cold and thrown away. Families that have been torn apart can be mended once again. Medical issues can be met and taken care of. The hungry can taste the sweet and delicious food they once knew. The homeless can be warm instead of cold, healthy instead of sick, and feel loved instead of lonely. A couple can hold each other in their arms. What does The International Peace Day mean to me you ask? This is what it means.
International Peace Day. When I first heard about this I was baffled someone would even try to make the entire world, for one day, stop fighting each other, stop shooting guns, or bombing houses, just long enough so the UN can make a BIG difference. At first it seemed like a crazy idea, who ever thought of it obviously had no idea what they were thinking. To get a nation to stop fighting would be amazing. But the world? Undoubtably, that would take nothing less than a miracle.
As I studied more about this in my classes throughout the year, I learned how life-changing this could be. But people had barely any recognition as to how this helps make an impact on others lifes. Some people didn’t even know this day existed. I researched this day more outside of school and learned that it took years for all the countries to agree to stop fighting, but one man with an idea helped bring this together. He gathered a few friends and started spreading awareness of his idea. Slowly as his idea grew, so did his team of followers. I think that this is very important considering something you might hear a lot is, ” You’re only one person, what can you do to change the world?” Well IPD shows what one person can do to change the world. This day has brought forth so many opportunities for an educaation in many less fortunate countries. Listening to some stories that people had about how on that fateful day, they were able to get their kids vaccinated and themselves. Or how in Africa families were able to have food dropped from planes so they could feed there family. Sometimes its just overwhelming to know how everyone can really make a differnce. I’m not just saying that because i’ve heard it, it’s absolutely true.
Another example of how one person, can make a difference is a website: Freerice.com
This website allows anyone to come and test their knowledge to help feed the less fortunate. I personally enjoy this website, because it adds a little something to the boring routine of testing, and also helps feed the poor. What a great mix!
I know that over the past few decades awareness of International Peace Day has risen substantialy, it’s not enough. We can always do a little bit more to help out. Push yourself a little harder. So we need to keep trying, until every last single person knows, and understands what this day is for. Any little thing can help, any idea can change lives. Don’t hesitate to be different and make that change you always wanted to. Because that’s really all that matters, making that change. We can’t stop trying until we have accomplished what we need to. Peace for not only one day, but every day.
—C.D.E.