Students, faculty and staff gathered Sept. 21 at Memorial Plaza to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace.

“Even though it may not be possible to have peace around the world right now, it is important for us to try to make it happen,” says participant Rachel Johnson ’08."

The ceremony, organized by Emanuel Goldman, founder and president of The Interpreters’ Forum, is one of more than 3,500 events held in 183 countries to mark the day. It featured poetry and music, as well as messages from faculty and students.

“Our biggest concern should not just be the war on terror but the war on apathy,” Sarah Grosh ’08 told the more than 50 people who gathered on the plaza.

She encouraged them to learn about world events, a point reinforced by MSG Jose Flores.

“It’s a good thing for students to be aware of world issues,” says Flores. “What we need is peace. We train young men and women to uphold democracy.”

The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, in order to remind people about their commitment to finding peaceful solutions amid differences.

“At every juncture there is an opportunity to do things that will affect peace and have long lasting effects,” says Walt Michael, artist in residence and executive director of Common Ground on the Hill.

Every year on the day, the U.N. calls for a global ceasefire.