International Peace Day 2023 at Croydon College

18/12/2023

Shaniqua reads her poetry

A report from co-organiser Kathy Miller.

Peace Partners, in partnership with Croydon College in South London, hosted International Peace Day on 21st September with guest speakers Mayor Jason Perry in the morning session and Shaniqua Benjamin, poet, writer and community activist in the afternoon.
Over 110 students attended in the morning and over 65 in the afternoon. Shaniqua read some of her wonderful poetry, as well as speaking eloquently about her role in the community and the work she does bringing groups together in a variety of ways.
I reflected recently that peace is like an iceberg - you see what can be seen but underneath there is a large mass no one ‘sees’ but it is definitely there. The event took weeks of planning and the team, who all helped on the day, made for a beautiful event.
Mayor Jason Perry and Principal Caireen Mitchell were both presented with a copy of ‘Hear Yourself’ by renowned Peace Ambassador, Prem Rawat, and excerpts from students talking about how they have benefitted from the Peace Education Programme were screened too. Students could sign up for a forthcoming Peace Education Programme and ask any questions.