Peace Day is being celebrated on Tuesday, March 5 under the theme “The Virtues of Peace”. The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), in collaboration with its partners, will have a series of activities in celebration of the day.

The VPA will collaborate with the Sandals Foundation to celebrate Peace Day at Chalky Hill Primary School in St Ann. Dr Deanna Ashley, executive director at the VPA, said she is happy for this partnership to instil good values in students.

“We look forward to having an engaging discussion with the students on the virtues of peace and how these values can positively impact their lives so they may grow up to be good citizens knowing how to navigate and resolve conflicts,” she said.

The activity will include students being reminded of the significance of peace in schools. The discussion will centre around a virtue chart poster, which will serve as a visual aid to reinforce virtues related to peace, prompting discussions on how students can embody these virtues in their daily interactions.

Following the discussion, students will be engaged in crafting their own peace messages, inspired by the virtues discussed. Armed with blue and white sticky notes and markers, they will be encouraged to pen powerful messages such as ‘Be Kind’, ‘Unity Wins’, ‘Spread Love’, ‘Act with Respect’, and ‘Peace Rocks’, encapsulating their commitment to fostering a peaceful environment.

In the subsequent activity, they will hang peace messages. Students will adorn strings across the room with their heartfelt messages, creating a vibrant display of collective commitment to peace.

“This exercise will not only allow students to showcase their creativity but also encourage them to reflect on the significance of their messages in promoting harmony within our school community,” said Dr Ashley.

Meanwhile, Peace and Love in Society, in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, will stage a Peace Day Concert on Thursday, March 7 at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston at 10:00 am. Students will have the opportunity to see performances by their peers and learn about peace-building skills from peace advocates.

Dr Ashley emphasised that Peace Day offers an opportunity for everyone to celebrate peace through reflection on virtues such as kindness, respect, and unity.

“Schools are encouraged to engage students in creating peace messages, which not only decorate the classroom but also foster a culture of peace. This activity is crucial as it promotes peace awareness in educational settings and encourages students to incorporate these virtues into their daily lives, reflecting the broader societal importance of peace and cooperation,” she said.