Montreal, September 21, 2023 - In a musical atmosphere and under a blue sky, the traditional ceremony for the International Day of Peace took place in Saint-Laurent at Beaudet Park, also known as "Peace Park." ! Every year, this ceremony brings together elected officials, including members of the Saint-Laurent Borough Council, a dozen representatives of the borough's professional and community organizations, the Saint-Laurent Intercultural Committee and several students representing Saint-Laurent schools.
This annual event is organized in partnership with the Borough of Saint-Laurent, the Comité interculturel de Saint-Laurent of the COSSL (Comité des organismes sociaux de Saint-Laurent) and the Communauté bahá'íe de Montréal.
This year's theme "Action for Peace: Our Ambitions for the Global Goals" is a call to action that recognizes our individual and collective responsibility to promote peace, to create a culture of peace and to lead the way for the well-being of humanity now and in the future.
Gigi Vidal, representing the Comité interculturel de Saint-Laurent, quoted the words of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who declared: "Peace is needed today more than ever. War and conflict cause devastation, poverty and hunger, and drive tens of millions of people from their homes. Climate chaos is everywhere, and even peaceful countries are plagued by inequality and political polarization. We invite you to act for peace; fight inequality, take action on climate change, promote prosperity while protecting the planet, and promote and protect human rights.""Together, we can help lead our world to a greener, fairer, more just and safer future for all."
She concluded by saying that "world peace is not only possible but inevitable" and that we must work to achieve Unity in Diversity and social justice.
Aref Salem, of Saint-Laurent Borough Council, City Councillor and Leader of the Official Opposition, for whom the theme of peace and community safety is very dear, spoke of the importance of building together a healthy planet where we live in harmony with others. How privileged we are to be able to gather together in our Parc de la Paix to celebrate the peace and harmony that has reigned here in Saint-Laurent for so many years!
The president of the Universal Peace Federation presented their annual "Road to Peace" activity and extended an invitation to participate in this year's event. The Lions Club representative presented their annual "Peace Poster Contest."
The presence and performances of youngsters from the Centre communautaire Bon Courage Place Benoît (testimonials, slams, dances) and from the École internationale des Apprenants (very touching messages on peace, poem, drawings) were warmly welcomed and applauded. Three visual arts students from the Cégep de Saint-Laurent created a beautiful collaborative mural on the theme of the day. All these young people, so committed to peace, demonstrated through their talents that they are our peace-builders and ambassadors! Together, they can change the world!
As every year, a minute's silence was observed in memory of the victims of conflict and war.
The ceremony ended in a jovial, fraternal and cordial atmosphere, accompanied by the music of Jacques Proulx, who created a warm atmosphere with his professional skill that delighted our hearts!
