The Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), along with its partners, will be hosting a series of activities throughout the day to promote peace in schools and communities in commemoration of Peace Day today, March 5.

Being championed under the theme ‘The Virtues of Peace’, the VPA in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation will share the message of peace with students at Chalky Hill Primary School in St Ann.

Executive Director of the VPA Dr Deanna Ashley shared that she is happy for this partnership to instill good values in students.

“We look forward to having an engaging discussion with the students on the virtues of peace and how these values can positively impact their lives so they may grow up to be good citizens knowing how to navigate and resolve conflicts,” she said.

The activity will include students being reminded of the significance of peace in schools. The discussion will centre around a virtue chart poster, which will serve as a visual aid to reinforce virtues related to peace, prompting discussions on how students can embody these virtues in their daily interactions.

The students will also be engaged in crafting their own peace messages, inspired by the virtues discussed. Armed with blue and white sticky notes and markers, they will be encouraged to pen powerful messages such as ‘Be Kind’, ‘Unity Wins’, ‘Spread Love’, ‘Act with Respect’, and ‘Peace Rocks’, encapsulating their commitment to fostering a peaceful environment.

In the subsequent activity, they will hang peace messages. Students will adorn strings across the room with their heartfelt messages, creating a vibrant display of collective commitment to peace.

“This exercise will not only allow students to showcase their creativity but also encourage them to reflect on the significance of their messages in promoting harmony within our school community,” said Ashley.

Peace and Love in Society in collaboration with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will stage a Peace Day Concert today at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in Kingston at 10:00 am.

Students will be given the opportunity to see performances by their peers and learn about peace-building skills from peace advocates.

Ashley further noted that Peace Day offers an opportunity for everyone to celebrate peace by reflecting on virtues such as kindness, respect, and unity.

“Schools are encouraged to engage students in creating peace messages, which not only decorate the classroom but also foster a culture of peace. This activity is crucial as it promotes peace awareness in educational settings and encourages students to incorporate these virtues into their daily lives, reflecting the broader societal importance of peace and cooperation,” she said.