Sunday, Oct 1, 12:30 – 1:30pm, Great Lawn of Waterfront Park
Compassion, that desire to take action to end the suffering of another, is rooted in non-harm/nonviolence. When we want happiness for another, based on understanding our own desire to avoid suffering, we put aside all thoughts of harm. We individuals, banded together, provide the ingredients for growing a nonviolent compassionate city by meeting the issues around violence in whatever way we have the gifts or will to use.
During this Gathering of Hope commemorating International Day of Nonviolence, representatives of local organizations will share how they are engaged in the challenging work of building nonviolence on-the-ground in our community. Join the movement by making a personal pledge of nonviolence.
To solidify our commitment, participants are encouraged to take part in the 40th Annual Dare to Care Hunger Walk, striving to end the violence of hunger locally, which begins at 2:15pm at the adjoining Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park.
The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence. According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness". The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence". Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: "Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of humankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of humans".
This is the concluding event of 12 Days Toward Peace, an initiative of DGCEC, offered to the community to raise awareness of the power of nonviolence and the wisdom of great peacemakers who have used it successfully.
See more about the 12 days on Facebook: TwelveDaysTowardPeace.
