ST JAMES, Jamaica (JIS) — The St James branch of the Peace Management Initiative (PMI) will be undertaking a number of activities in the parish, in observation of International Peace day on Wednesday September 21.

Chairman of PMI in St James, Everton Jackson said the activities are aimed at bringing lasting peace to every community in the parish affected by crime and violence.

He was speaking at a news conference held at the PMI’s Church Street offices in Montego Bay yesterday.

The activities include church services on September 17 and 18; a poster competition for primary and high school students; tree planting and the establishment of peace gardens in communities.

The organisation will also undertake peace walks across Montego Bay, which will culminate in a rally in Sam Sharpe Square, St James.

Jackson said the peace marches will start at the Clock Tower on Barnett Street, at the Howard Cooke/Bevin Avenue intersection, along Gloucester Avenue and at the Overton Plaza from where participants will head to Sam Sharpe Square.

The activities in St James will be staged under the theme “Building Blocks for Peace”.

The theme for International Peace Day is “The Sustainable Development Goals: Building Blocks for Peace”.

International Peace day, also known as International Day of Peace, came into existence through United Nations (UN) resolutions in 1981 and 2001.

The UN General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.