Let There Be Peace
International Day of Peace Sunday is on 21st September 2025
by Brian Radcliffe
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To encourage students to actively explore peace making.
Preparation and materials
- You will need the YouTube clip ‘How does the Nobel Peace prize work’ and the means to show it. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXhpK_lhonA
Assembly
- Sunday 21st September 2025 marks the United Nations International Day of Peace. Sadly, war is high on the news agenda every day, whether it be war in different parts of the world, or information about governments prioritising defence spending in their budgets. Peace seems to be a commodity that needs to be worked at. That’s one reason why there is a highly respected prize given for peace making, the Nobel Peace Prize. This is the story behind that award.
- Show the YouTube clip ‘How does the Nobel Peace prize work’. It is 6.14 minutes long.
- Peace throughout the world isn’t going to come on a single day, simply because the United Nations decrees it. World peace is an aspiration, a movement, a commitment. It’s a destination for us to be heading for, at international level, government level, local level and at a personal level.
- Peace will come only when the issues that cause wars are addressed, whether they be economic, social or justice issues or the desire for power. Different sides need to be involved, seeking common ground with which they can all be comfortable. Sometimes an arbitrator is required, a third party who can bring all sides together. The kind of people we’ve seen in the video.
Time for reflection
But where do we fit into this very big picture?
Peace actually begins very close to home. With each of us.
Let’s take a moment to pause and think about the following questions:
Is there anyone we would say we hate?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Is there anyone we feel hates us?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Is there anyone we have been offended by?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Is there anyone on whom we want to seek revenge?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Is there anyone of whom we are jealous or resentful?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Do we need to be considering making peace?
Pause to allow time for reflection.
Sometimes it’s not possible to make peace. Sometimes people have hurt us too badly and restored relationship isn’t possible. Sometimes we might need to speak to someone about this.
Point out people to whom the students can speak within school.
Sometimes we need an arbitrator who can help us make peace in difficult situations.
Point out people to whom the students can speak within school.
Maybe we are good at seeing tension and can step in as peace makers. Some people are skilled in this area.
As we think about the United Nations International Day of Peace, let’s take the time to consider if we need to make peace and how we can be people that encourage peace in the areas in which we find ourselves.
Music
‘We Pray’ by Coldplay, Elyanna, Simz, Burna Boy, TiNi. This can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTqUHqQruzQ
‘Imagine’ by John Lennon
