University Libraries
World Peace Day
By Rachel Barnett
September 21 is designated by the United Nations as an International Day of Peace and is sometimes called World Peace Day. Historically, the day has been marked by: ceasefires; peace initiatives, parades, and conferences; prayer vigils, moments of silence, concerts, and many other peace-generating activities.
Did you know that Dayton, Ohio has its own history of promoting peace education and literacy? Dayton is home to one of only a few international peace museums in the United States, as well as the only literary award for promoting peace through the written word. Consider engaging yourself in a part of Dayton's history by taking action today to promote peace.
If you are looking for a place to visit to reflect on what peace can look like, consider stepping off campus this afternoon to head Downtown and check out the Dayton International Peace Museum. This Dayton “gem” opened in 2004 and promotes peace literacy and education through their regular programming, exhibits, and activities. The museum includes a “Peace Heroes Room” where inspiring stories of youths as well as adults are shared to show us all how one person truly can make a difference. They close at 5pm, so if your schedule doesn’t permit heading Downtown until after 5pm, you can always head to Courthouse Square for yoga and meditation events to promote inner peace.
If you are campus bound but still want to partake in an activity to promote peace, Roesch Library has you covered! The Dayton Literacy Peace Prize was established in 2006 to recognize fiction and non-fiction authors that promote peace through a better understanding of other cultures, peoples, religions, and political points of view. Roesch Library has many of these award-winning authors in its collections, including the 2015 first place prizes for fiction (The Great Glass Sea) and non-fiction (Just Mercy) as well as the 2015 fiction and nonfiction runner's up (All the Light We Cannot See and The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, respectively). Another activity on campus you can attend to promote peace is Checking the Pulse, which will include discussion centered around transformative techniques to respond to violent tragedies with love as you build a stronger and more inclusive UD community.
As John Lennon once said, “Peace is not something you wish for; it’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” If peace is something you believe in then take action today to promote it.
- Rachel Barnett, Evening Access Services Specialist
