Peace Fair set on September 21 at SM City

VARIOUS government and non-government organizations will hold the first ever Davao Peace Fair 2012, in celebration of the International Day of Peace, at the activity center of SM City Davao Annex on September 21.

"The International Peace Day will serve as reminder to all that we are united to rebuild and attain peace above all interest and differences not only in Mindanao but the entire world," said Scheherazaide Pahm, youth program coordinator of the Mindanao Commission on Women.

Theme of the fair is "Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future."

She said that among the activities set during the whole-day fair are interfaith peace ceremonies, peace prayers, art exhibit promoting peace, peace forum, essay writing, poster-making, extemporaneous speaking, and cultural presentations.

First Lieutenant Joy Damasco-Eling, representative from the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division, said all the activities are aimed to achieve inner peace, justice and compassion, intercultural respect, reconciliation and solidarity; living in harmony with the Earth; dismantling a culture of war; and promoting human rights and responsibilities.

Damasco-Eling also appealed for the dismantling of a culture of war or nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, as the International Day of Peace is a global call for ceasefire and non-violence.

The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the UN General Assembly to strengthen the ideals of peace within and among other nations and people.

Among of the 25 organizations that will be joining the International Day of Peace are the Commission on Human Rights (CHR Davao region, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), EDSA People Power Commission, Generation Peace, Brahma Kumaris, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos 11, and National Nutrition Council. (ICT)