News

From September 21st to October 2nd, Canada's capital will be abuzz with peace events and activities of all kinds. As part of the fifth Ottawa Peace Festival, put on by 15 local peace and justice groups in partnership with the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI), these exciting events aim to promote peace, unity, and harmony in honour of the International Day of Peace. 

First established in 1981 by a UN Resolution, the International Day of Peace—held annually on September 21st along with the day of Global Ceasefire—provides an opportunity for people around the world to collectively commemorate and carry out concrete acts of peace. From its inception nearly 30 years ago, this day of celebration now involves millions of people all around the globe who engage in a diverse range of activities, both public and private, big and small, in a shared commitment to making peace a conceptual and practical reality.

To participate in these world-wide celebrations, this year's Ottawa Peace Festival—spearheaded by the Canadian Department of Peace Initiative (CDPI)—will run for 12 jam-packed days filled with inspiring art exhibitions, film screenings, book launches, and thought-provoking panels on peace and justice issues. Harnessing the passion and creative energies of grassroots civil society groups, the program's content will aim to highlight the powerful potential of nonviolent, peaceful methods for tackling conflict both at home and abroad.

Opening on the 21st with a "Paddle for Peace" at Victoria Island (including a Memorial Sharing Circle for Grandfather William Commanda) and an evening music concert, the festival program to follow includes such things as panel discussions on Libya, the nonviolent Arab awakening, and the challenge of nonviolence in religious traditions; various peace art exhibits and a participatory painting workshop; a public lecture on the Department of Peace; an exciting talk on political engagement by Green Party MP Elizabeth May; and much more.

On October 1st and 2nd, the festival will close with a "Friends for Peace Day," celebrated with a peace walk accompanied by world-walker Jean Béliveau, who will also receive a peace award from Mayor Jim Watson at City Hall, as well as an unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Carleton University.

All Peace Festival activities in Ottawa are public events, free of charge.

To see a more detailed outline of the festival, check out the Ottawa program brochure. Or to learn more about the range of celebratory events happening all around the world for International Peace Day, check out this map!

Read a message from UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon on the International Day of Peace.

Download and sign a petition calling on Canada to establish a Department of Peace.