Strategies discussed for cultivating peace
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ST. IGNATIUS – A group of community members, including members of the Baha’i of the Flathead Reservation, convened at a potluck to work toward a more peaceful world in celebration of the International Day of Peace.
Those who attended said a prayer, listened to music, shared a potluck meal, and had the opportunity to create a mobile with inspirations for their own peacefulness. Participants also discussed methods that they could use to become more peaceful themselves, and thus spread peace to those around them.
Participants had a variety of ideas for cultivating peace in their lives and in the world. These included accepting different cultures, creating a more peaceful self and building community around peace.
“Until there is justice there can be no peace,” one attendee said. She said she thought that the most important step toward peace was to ensure fair treatment of all people.
International Day of Peace is a holiday sanctioned by the United Nations and observed annually on Sept. 21. According to the UN website, the day is dedicated to “strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.”
Attendees at the event watched an address from UN Secrtary-General António Guterres. The theme of this year’s holiday was “The Right to Peace.”
Guterres urged the world to generate peace by creating a world where “people are free from hunger, poverty, and oppression and can thrive and prosper.”
At the potluck, community members discussed how the right to peace should be protected and promoted.
Tania Stevens asked the group how they could use a peaceful approach to pressing challenges in their community, particularly in regards to the increasing rates of suicide in young people.
“What things can we do to bring about hope for them?” she asked.
Members of the group said they hoped to connect with youth in the community to help them build their lives around positive ideals like truth and peace.
Many of those present were members of the Baha’i of the Flathead Reservation. Baha’i is a world religion that recognizes all organized religions as connected and rooted in the same spirituality. The oneness of all people is a central tenant of the religion. There are nine members of the Flathead Reservation Baha’i.
Those interested in being involved in future action toward peace with the Baha’i and other community members can attend brunch meetings on the last Sunday of every month at 312 First Ave. N in St. Ignatius.
For more information, call Jeanie and Dale Morrow at 406-745-4701.
