International Day of Peace in Geneva
How do you find the truth about politicians, issue and more in an election year? To what or whom do you go to for information? Explore these questions and more at this year’s annual International Day of Peace event in downtown Geneva.
Everyone is welcome to attend this free, communitywide celebration of the local observance of the International Day of Peace from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, on the courthouse lawn, on Third Street in Geneva. This year’s event is hosted by Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva and Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors.
Returning this year is speaker Thom Thomas, communications consultant and practitioner of the Marshall Rosenberg approach to nonviolent communication. A hit with all who attended last year, Thomas will talk on how to respond to hate language.
Programming includes a panel of journalists who will discuss how to find the truth in media in an election year; Geneva High School students who will model honest, respectful debate; and Geneva residents Linda and Loy Williams will speak on their experiences with peaceful protest in Selma, Ala.
The first “Peace Day” was celebrated in September 1982, after being established by a United Nations resolution to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.
The local celebration of the International Day of Peace will kick off with a special Friday night showing of the film, “Sisters of Selma,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 21. This showing is free and open to the public. It is described as the story of an “updating” of societies resistant to change, and of a few women who took it upon themselves to become the agents of that change.
The Day of Peace event is free and open to the public, and will also include children’s actives and live music. In case of rain, events will be held at Unitarian church, 102 S. Second St., Geneva.
For details, visit content.uusg.org/storage/DayofPeace.pdf.
Schedule
Friday, Sept. 21
Ÿ 7 p.m. Free public screening of “Sisters of Selma” video, showing how people from a faith community used nonviolent protest in support of voting civil rights. At Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, 110 S. 2nd, Geneva
Saturday, Sept. 22
Ÿ 1 p.m. How to respond to hate language with speaker Thom Thomas, communications consultant and practitioner of the Marshall Rosenberg approach to nonviolent communication
Ÿ 1:50 p.m. Folk songs
Ÿ 2 p.m. How can voters find the truth in media in an election year? Journalist panel moderated by Rick Nagel, featuring Kathy Gresey, editor, Kane County Chronicle; Mike Smith, Tri-Cities editor, Daily Herald; Dirk Johnson, former bureau chief for New York Times and for Newsweek magazine and current Writer in Residence at Northern Illinois University.
Ÿ 2 p.m.: Activities for Children ages 6 to 12 including puppet shows and create a newspaper
Ÿ 2:50 p.m. Folk songs
Ÿ 3 p.m. What does honest, respectful debate look like? Model UN students from Geneva High School
Ÿ 3:50 p.m. Folk songs
Ÿ 4-5 p.m. “Experiences Participating in Nonviolent Communication in Selma, Ala.,” by Linda and Loy Williams,
Saturday events take place on the Courthouse Lawn, Third Street, Geneva.