The city of Southfield, in collaboration with May Peace Prevail on Earth International™ Foundation, will host an International Day of Peace on Thursday, September 21 from 5–6 p.m. at the City’s Peace Poles located in front of City Hall, 26000 Evergreen Road. 

The event will begin with a presentation of colors by the Southfield Police and Fire Honor Guard followed by opening remarks from Councilman Lloyd Crews and a reading of the City’s International Day of Peace Joint Resolution by Mayor Siver. The event will also include presentation of the United Nation’s 2023 Theme for the International Day of Peace “Act Now!” by President of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force Faira Glenn followed by a rendition of “Let there be Peace on Earth” by MLK Task Force International Relations Committee Co-Chair Barbara Seldon. The event will conclude with a Call for Peace in All Nations led by Hope United Methodist Church Youth Representative Remington DeVaull. 

Each year, the International Day of Peace is observed worldwide on September 21 by the United Nations General Assembly which has declared this a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and peoples. Act Now is the United Nations campaign to inspire people to ACT for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Act Now is a call to action recognizing our individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. The city of Southfield joins the United Nations’ call to Act for Peace by fighting inequality, driving action on climate change, and promoting and protecting human rights. The overall aim of the initiative is to achieve: A Healthy Planet; A Just Society; A Better Economy; and A World Working Together. 

“The city of Southfield remains committed to joining the call for peace in all nations and communities,” commented Mayor Ken Siver. “Now more than ever before, we must all come together in a spirit of peace, unity, love, mutual respect and understanding. In Southfield, we value every person from every culture, religion, race, and sexual orientation. It is our collective call for peace not only in Southfield, but throughout the world. We must continue to act and to set an example for others. We do this by getting to know each other. When we know our neighbors, we find that we have more in common than not.” 

In 2020, Southfield became the first city in the USA to participate in the Amig@s de la Paz Sustainability Program for the May Peace Prevail on Earth International Foundation. This Award recognizes communities, businesses, educational institutions, and individuals that support the United Nations Goals for Sustainable Development. The Goals were set to transform our world and strengthen the ideals of peace. The city of Southfield is the first City in the U.S. to receive this award. The community of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, the city of Southfield’s sister city, was the first to receive the Annual Amig@s de la Paz Sustainable Tourism Award for programs that were modeled after Southfield. 

The new Peace Poles installation was part of an initiative started by the May Peace Prevail on Earth International™, a global not-for-profit charity that develops and promotes peace activities for communities and youth. May Peace Prevail on Earth is a nonsectarian organization dedicated to promoting global peace through the universal message and prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth. The Organization is member supported in both its activities as well as its funds. The organization is headquartered in New York with executive offices in San Francisco, Tokyo and Munich; however, the May Peace Prevail on Earth movement is spread throughout the world by the tireless grassroots efforts of the individual members.

The foundation’s primary mission is to plant Peace Monuments around the world. Along with their affiliates Peace Pals International™ and the Goi Peace Organization of Japan, they also conduct an annual international art contest for children and tour of the artwork, an annual essay contest for youth, and international youth conference webinars. Partner organizations are all members of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

The Organization believes that global peace can only be achieved when each person attains inner peace and people of every country affirm their commitment to peace. It is therefore important that local citizens worldwide make their own efforts for peace, according to the customs and culture of the region. In this spirit, Peace Representatives are appointed to take the initiative in promoting the Organization’s activities locally, while maintaining close contact with headquarters. Peace Representatives are also encouraged to network with other Peace Representatives on both national and international levels to exchange information and coordinate efforts for global peace.

According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), countries with a more open and sustainable tourism and hospitality sector tend to be more peaceful. A sustainable and open tourism and hospitality sector brings about a higher level of positive peace through personal attitudes, institutions, and societies. This also promotes expanded social and economic investments that enhance sustainable growth in local communities.

For more information, contact Southfield Community Relations at (248) 796-5130 or visit www.cityofsouthfield.com.