FROM THE FIELD
In September 2001, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of Peace should be observed on the 21st of September each year. On this day the General Assembly announced that the Day should be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. It invited all Member States, both government and non-government organisations of the United Nations and individuals throughout the world to celebrate the Day.
On International Day of Peace, students from schools throughout metropolitan Adelaide will enjoy a variety of peace-building activities presented by Thebarton Senior College. The activities reflect the school’s successful and comprehensive peace-building, teaching and learning programs. Activities include kite and peace-bracelet making, folding of paper cranes, circle dances, plays and multi-cultural games and face painting.
Thebarton Senior College in Torrensville, South Australia, undertakes many varied and valuable programs at the community, curriculum and classroom levels that address the very special needs of all the students attending. Some are new arrivals to Australia with many have different nationalities and heritages. It provides the students with an opportunity to return to secondary education by offering full and part-time programs. The students represent seventy two different cultures with 70% born overseas.
Some students are international students, some have disabilities and mental health issues, some are young mothers or unaccompanied refugee minors. The students have diverse learning, life and work experiences to consider in planning their education programs. Thebarton Senior College provides all students with a safe refuge and offers hope and opportunities for success.
The school has been part of the Save the Children UN Global Peace School Program since 2006 and became an official UN Global Peace School on this day. The school was presented with a UN Flag and certificate with special dignitaries and ministers at a ceremony marking the occasion.
Read more about our Global Peace Schools program.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
