The National Education Association today approved a New Business Item (NBI) at its annual Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C., urging its more than three million members to support the International Day of Peace.
Justin Hughey of Hawaii presented the NBI to the 8,000 delegates at the forum. "If humans can figure out how to stop killing each other, we won't have a problem funding a quality public education for every child," said Hughey.
The International Day of Peace, September 21, has been officially recognized by the UN since 1981, and traditionally marks the opening of that body's annual session. The NEA, the largest teachers union in the world, stands for many of the same values that are part of the UN's mission of peace. These include equality, economic justice, good health, and preservation of the environment.
The legislature of the State of Hawaii, lobbied by an organization of Buddhist teenagers in 2007, became the first and only state in America to have a permanent Peace Day. The Peace Committee of Hawaii and hundreds of other organizations celebrate the International Day of Peace throughout the world, yet it remains largely unknown to the general public.
Justin Hughey submitted the NBI with valuable assistance from Jeanne Clement (Hawaii). The NBI was drafted by Miles Okumura of the Peace Committee (Hawaii), assisted by Nancy Porter (Iowa) of the Peace and Justice Caucus. (www.neapeaceandjustice.org) Okumura is a member of the Caucus and recipient of the United Nations Association of Hawaii “Peacemaker of the Year” award.
“As educators, we have the potential to make this world a better place by teaching the next generation the values of peace, compassion and awareness of interdependence of life,” said Okumura. “100,000 teachers can reach 15 million future citizens every year with just one lesson plan a year. Over the course of our careers, we can raise and educate hundreds of millions of citizens.”
The Peace Committee produces the “Annual Parade and Festival for the United Nations International Day of Peace,” the largest and most elaborate celebration of its kind in the world, now in its sixth year. Programs include peace education and activities such as the Peace Poster contest. (www.peacedayparade.org ).
