On Sunday, September 21, Leeds celebrated the UN International Day of Peace at the World Peace Flame in Park Square. David Blackburn, Green Party Councillor for Farnley and Wortley and Chair of Peacelink Leeds spoke at the event, he said:
“Events like this are most important. We’re in the most dangerous times of our lifetime and if you look at newsreels of the 1930s the similarities are striking.
“It’s not just international peace as well it’s also the smaller things, often just being friendly to everyone.”
The day was first celebrated in 1981 and in 2001 was unanimously voted by the General Assembly of the UN to designate the date as a day of non-violence.
The flame in Park Square is one of four in England and the only city based one, and was unveiled last year. The other three flames situated within the Leeds area in Garforth, Scholes and Kippax.
The event was hosted by the Garforth Peace Project (GPP). They were set up following the installation of the Garforth World Peace Flame on April 28, 2017 at the Diamond Jubilee Garden, it was the first in England.
Source: Leo Wood | All Rights ReservedThe volunteer-led group focuses on engaging their community and specifically schools in projects related to peace and promoting peaceful resolution.
They have led projects across schools including peace trails across Garforth in 2021 dedicated to Prince Philip and a coronation peace tree in 2023 celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
Co-founder and volunteer for the GPP, Sue Owen, said:
“I’d been around the Peace Flame foundation since its initiation in 1999 and we thought, great that Garforth is embracing this and has the first monument in England. But what comes next?
“We thought to work locally to create the Garforth Peace Project we’ve got the opportunity to integrate the peace flame into Garforth, the community, schools and all groups.
“That’s what we’ve set out to do and starting small and growing it out from there and we always think what can we inspire people to do that can change their world and their life.”
The event included words from the founders of GPP, the King’s Representative from the West Yorkshire Lieutenancy Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj, speakers from Leeds Peacelink, Leeds’ Children’s Mayor and the Lord Mayor of Leeds.
After the event Lord Mayor Dan Cohen, said:
“The world in in a challenging place right now and one way each person can do something to change that is to agree and disagree in a peaceful and respectful manner.”
Their upcoming projects include a remembrance lantern walk on November 7 with all six schools in Garforth contributing and the group also have their sights set on Leeds City Council.
Fiona Murray, co-founder of the Garforth Peace Project said:
“I think this peace flame is one of the most important symbols on the planet today and Leeds and the council have a grand opportunity hear.
“If you actually agree to have the peace flame in the council chambers and take five minutes before any discussion where all parties agree to disagree peacefully.
“It would change everything, what an example that would be for the government and councils across the country because you suddenly take the whole essence of what peace and peaceful resolution can be and show everyone from the most powerful body we’ve got here.”
The Garforth Peace Project are looking to continue their work in schools across Garforth and further develop their reach in Leeds with events such as this one. With the possibility of a royal visit if a peace flame is placed in Leeds City Council.
Source: Leo Wood | All Rights Reserved
You must be logged in to post a comment.