INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE 2023
CELEBRATING GLOBAL PEACE IN ROME
Rome, Italy — On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2023, three organizations, the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, Colors for Peace, and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia, in collaboration with the Sant'Anna di Stazzema National Peace Park, have joined forces to commemorate this significant day in a grand and meaningful way.
Responding to the call of the United Nations, as outlined in resolution 36/67 of 1981, which urges institutions and civil society to unite in celebrating peace, these organizations hosted a series of events in the heart of Rome that embody the spirit of global harmony.
Sala del Cenacolo, Chamber of Deputies, Rome
Parliaments of Peace Exhibition Inauguration
The day kicked off with the inauguration of the "Parliaments of Peace" exhibition at the esteemed Sala del Cenacolo in the Chamber of Deputies. This exhibition featured a stunning collection of Peace drawings crafted by children from all corners of the world. Distinguished representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, International governative missions and Italian institutions attended, adding gravitas to this powerful display of global unity. The mission and vision of the exhibition was to bring the aspiration for peace of children of the World inside the Parliament.
After the institutional part and the cutting of the ribbon, a school delegation of students and teachers from the institute of Ventotene joined the event. The name Ventotene has a special evocative meaning: the small island in where in 1941 three prisoners (Altiero Spinelli, Ernesto Rossi and Eugenio Colorni) wrote the manifesto "For a free and united Europe", later known as the Ventotene Manifesto, which in the midst of world conflict called for the union of European countries and which would then inspire the process of European integration which culminated with the birth of the European Union in 1992.
Via Sacra, Colosseum - Rome
"Colors of Peace" Exhibition Inauguration
In a remarkable collaboration with the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, Color for Peace and RFK Italia, we organized ”Colors of Peace" — a breathtaking display of 1000 Peace drawings contributed by children from 143 nations across the globe. This exhibition took place on the hallowed grounds of Via Sacra, a site steeped in historical significance. Tradition holds that this is where the Romans and Sabines signed a peace pact to end the conflict arising from the "Rape of the Sabine Women."
The inauguration of this exhibition will be graced by the presence of the Minister of Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, who will be joined by a delegation of students from the schools of Formia-Ventotene and from the Italian Capital.
Santa Chiara Church - Rome
The Peace Day ended with a third event in the Santa Chiara Church, where was inaugurated an exhibition of beautiful Peace Doves Drawings created by the students from the schools of each region of Ukraine.
These events symbolize the collective commitment to peace, echoing the United Nations' call for unity and solidarity in the pursuit of global harmony. By celebrating the International Day of Peace in Rome, these organizations aim to inspire individuals and nations alike to work collaboratively towards a more peaceful and just world, in line with the motto of the Peace Run Founder Sri Chinmoy: “Peace Begins With Me”.
List of presences
Adriana Roma, Headmaster I.C. Formia-Ventotene
Anna Mottola, I.C. Secretary Formia-Ventotene
Emmalisa Biondi, I.C. Teacher Formia-Ventotene
Federico Moro, Secretary General R.F. Kennedy Human Rights
Silvia Costantini, former Consul General of Italy in Montreal
Vanessa Antoniali, Public and Institutional Affairs Officer of the Quebec Delegation in Rome
Anna Fornaciari, Quebec Delegation in Rome
Arianna Scarpellini Director of Primary Schools of the Republic of San Marino
Fulvia Casadei, Ministry of Education of the Republic of San Marino
H.E. Lendita Haxhitasim, Ambassador of Kosovo to Italy
Raluca Eclemea, Counselor of the Romanian Embassy in Italy
H.E. Giliam Gomes, Minister of the Honduran Embassy in Italy
Michelle Holi, Second Counselor Kenyan Embassy in Italy
H.E. Emmanuel Charles, Ambassador of Haiti to Italy
Rose Stephanie Boisrond, Secretary of the Haitian Embassy in Italy
Antonio Castiello, Honorary Consul of Kyrgyzstan in Italy
Dalia Casiello, Honorary Consulate of Kyrgyzstan in Italy
Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Chargé d'Affaires Bangladesh Embassy in Italy
H.E. Nosipho Nausca Jean Ngcaba Jezile, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Italy
Julie Meylan, First Counselor Swiss Embassy in Italy
Olena Kholiavytska, Cultural Attaché of the Ukrainian Embassy in Italy
Cristina Ciferri, President of the National Academy of Hotel Professions
Federico Gasparella, “Eurocomunicazioni” journalist
Alfredo De Joannon, President of Peace Run Italy
Stefano Cenni, Vice President Peace Run Italy
Popa Gabriela, Colors for Peace Romania Delegation
Luljeta Mucaj, Colors for Peace Representative in Kosovo
Lucia Ileana Pop, Teacher
Angelo Baldini, Head of Sport Colors for Peace
Barbara Nazzaro, Colosseum Archaeological Park
Mario Gallo, Secretary to the Colors for Peace Presidency
Antonio Giannelli, President of Colors for Peace
Natalia Siassina, VitaUkr Italia Association
Iulia Slipich, Director of the Kherson Art School (Ukraine)
Olena Iampolska, President of the “Ukraine” Association of Rome
Alba D'Eusanio, journalist
Rita Atalia Valenzuela Martinez, President of the Il Tempo delle Donne Association
Emanuela Scarponi, Il Tempo delle Donne Association
Patricia Cruz Laredo, Vox Mundi
Mariko Shikakura, First Secretary and Head of the Cultural and Press Office, Embassy of Japan
