Jeremy Gilley and His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Peace One Day at Los Medanos College

by Ursula Velonis

Busy college students don't usually reflect on world peace for any length of time, but on September 20th a group of 50 LMC students did, for three events celebrated over four hours.

For the first time, the community of Los Medanos College, with several faculty and staff members, observed World Peace Day as envisioned by the British filmmaker Jeremy Gilley.

Before screening Gilley's documentary film "Peace One Day," we held a moment of silence, then I introduced the mission of the "Center For Peace Through Culture" along with the meaning of the "Banner of Peace" interpreted by Nicholas Roerich.

My message that creating a culture of peace facilitates peaceful co-existence among all peoples fell on highly receptive ears. To realize that the synthesis of all sciences, all arts and all philosophies could represent a true "culture of peace" in its highest creative sense was new to many and an inspiration to a few.

After the film, everybody gathered at the Amphitheater for a Peace Walk around the beautiful College Lake. Some peace walkers chose to walk in silence, others engaged in lively conversations and laughter. Some walkers listened to the delightful bird songs and watched the flocks of geese at home on the surrounding grass grounds.

The day ended at the Honors Center which hosted an Informal Peace Talk with refreshments and music. One honor student volunteered to play self-composed songs on guitar to the delight of everybody.

On this occasion the idea came up to observe World Peace Day at LMC every year. First steps were taken to bring this about. Another unexpected result occurred through the sincere suggestion of the chair of the Philosophy Department to design an "Ethics of Peace" course. This was great news-what an exciting project to think about! From there it was not too far-fetched to come up with the idea of a Peace Studies Program. The idea was presented to some faculty members and, surprisingly, some showed considerable interest in collaborating on such a project.

Last, but not least, Jennifer Wadsworth, an honor student and budding journalist, got excited about the idea of creating a Center for Peace Through Culture Club. College clubs are student run, she said, and can be facilitated by faculty. "Why don't we put on a "Symposium on Peace?" she suggested with a big smile on her face. It was hard to resist her excitement. She continued to say that, for one, it would help students understand the entire project of a Peace Studies Program better, and, second, it would inspire students to feel more passionate about learning how a culture of peace can be created. We'll definitely have to talk further about this.

To witness these kinds of results at LMC's first observance of World Peace Day was, to say the least, surprising and encouraging. What will come from it all is up to the initiatives of the LMC community. We'll keep you posted.

World Peace Day is celebrated September 21 annually. A list of screenings and events in your community are available by visiting www.peaceoneday.org.