Need PHOTO FROM PEace by Piece
A celebratory moment at the Peace by Piece Festival / Global Feast for Peace.
day “Peace by Piece Festival.” A
Peace Quilt was on display that day
consisting of over 1,000, six-inch
painted squares from local children
and adult hands expressing their
personal vision of peace. At 12:00
noon festival goers participated in a
global moment of silence.
During the last two years, we
partnered with the Sedona International Film Festival, Unity Church,
and the Sedona Public Library to
host films and conversations addressing how to awaken ourselves
to hidden issues in our community
such as hunger, mental health, bullying, sex trafficking of minors, and
deep cultural wounds experienced
from war and trauma. Each film
was followed by a community dialogue with speakers from relevant
organizations and clear actions for
engagement. Additionally City of
Peace members led six of 22 conversations during Sedona World Peace
Dance Celebration Week.
Sedona City of Peace established Peace Maker Awards and
20 IMAGINE l Autumn 2015
honored: Barbara Litrell and Elaine
Hansen of World Peace Dance
Week; visionary philosopher and
researcher in the field of human
capacities Jean Houston; Father Michael Lapsley for his work healing
cultural wounds; and Amy Aossey,
Executive Director of Yavapai Food
Council, to begin to identify and
acknowledge the many and varied
ways that individuals are fostering a
culture of peace in our community.
Lastly, Sedona City of Peace
is actively engaging in shaping of
public policy issues in areas that
celebrate diversity and ensure
the health and well-being of our
community, such as same-sex civil
unions, mental health awareness,
and a comprehensive human rights
ordinance with a restorative justice
approach.
l Get Started. We share our early
experiences of establishing a City of
Peace, not as a recipe for what to do
in other cities, but as inspiration for
what might be possible. The reality
is, there are many paths to peace
and the unfolding of each International City of Peace is likely as
unique as the partners who gather
to create it. All you really need is
a few committed souls ready and
willing to begin the conversation.
It’s fun and heartwarming just
how much support shows up once
a framework has been created.
And you instantly become part of a
global movement of kindred spirits
in cities committed to peace around
the world. As John F. Kennedy said:
“If not us, who? If not now, when?”
In most cities and towns, one
or two individuals hear about and
become interested the International
City of Peace Initiative. A small
group is then formed and builds
energy. In many cases the fledgling
City of Peace group approaches civic
leaders to form a partnership with
local government in order to institutionalize a culture of peace through
proclamations and support. There
is no doubt that a groundswell of
grassroots activities around the
world is creating the conditions and
infrastructures for peace—many
created by International Cities of
Peace. Even more are created by
visionary citizens who see a way to
co-create their local governments to
achieve a better future.
For more information on
becoming an International City of
Peace, please check out: internationalcitiesofpeace.org which has general information and stories about
the experiences of each of the more
than 100 cities. In addition, especially if you are in Arizona, please feel
free to contact us at [email protected].