Title
Resolution in Support of International Day of Peace on September 21, 2014
Body
Whereas, In 1981 the United Nations proclaimed an International Day of Peace to be devoted to the commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among nations and people;
Whereas, In 2001 the United Nations declared the International Day of Peace should also be observed as a day of global cease-fire and nonviolence; [Resolution 55/282]
Whereas, The United Nations declared, at the beginning of this century, a common mission of humanity to be "creation of a culture of peace and nonviolence, for the children of the world," that the next generation, and our own, should no more know the scourge of war; [Resolution 53/25]
Whereas, Ann Arbor regularly celebrates United Nations Day and gives honor to the United Nations;
Whereas, Violent conflicts rage in so many places abroad, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Central America, and elsewhere in our country, and conflicts even in our own town, impel people to work toward converting humanity's noblest aspirations for world peace and peace in our communities into the practical reality of a culture of peace and non-violence for future generations; and
Whereas, There is support within our City for the observance of the International Day of Peace, which affirms a vision of our world at peace and fosters cooperation among individuals, organizations and nations;
RESOLVED, That the Ann Arbor City Council and Mayor proclaim September 21, 2014, International Day of Peace throughout the City of Ann Arbor and urge all governmental departments and agencies, organizations, schools, places of worship and individuals in our City to commemorate the International Day of Peace;
RESOLVED, In particular, we call attention to the World Peace Day "Public Event" on the Library Lane Parking Lot, including the area recently designated to be a future urban park;
RESOLVED, That we join in sponsoring, with the Downtown Development Authority, and interested community groups, an invitation to all interested Ann Arborites to participate in this accessible family friendly event to consider peace, inclusively, in the wider world and in our own country and community, and in ourselves;
RESOLVED, That the ideal of this program is that everyone in Ann Arbor can participate in helping create a culture of peace for the children of the world, and our town and ourselves. In the "knowledge commons" collectively held by the people of Ann Arbor, including the Downtown Public Library, there is a wealth of wisdom that this peace day can be a day of harvest and sharing knowledge. This Day and our urban park-to-be offers the expressive talent of our community opportunity for words and music to turn the heart and art to help us see peace; and
RESOLVED, That we hope this program reaches the height of it's ideal. It is worth the effort to begin an Ann Arbor International Day of Peace, this September 21, 2014.
Information on the program details will be posted on "Facebook" as Ann Arbor - World Peace Day.
[This participation in sponsorship is expected to facilitate bringing the public event within the City omnibus liability insurance policy, the designation of a staff person as liaison to help coordinate City participation, and publication in the City newsletter and other notification to City staff and workers and inviting participation.]
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Anglin, Kailasapathy, Warpehoski, Eaton and Kunselman