Peace Pole Planting Ceremony

Dated: January 26, 2008

Organization for Peace and Development (OPD) organized a Peace Pole Planting ceremony at Qurban and Surraya Trust School and Degree College in relation to sensitized young children, students and teachers of the Qurban and Surraya Trust School and Degree College for girls. The peace pole planting ceremony was sponsored by World Peace Prayer Society.

Figure 1 From Left to Right Mr. Francis Xavier, Mr. Qurban, Mr. Jahangir Piara and Mrs. Abida Mahmood, Ms. Qudisa and other teachers along with college students

The Program was started with the prayer said by Mr. Francis Xavier. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Jahangir Piara Executive Director of Organization for Peace and Development (OPD) briefed about the peace pole, its history and the prayer "May Peace Prayer on Earth." He further said that we believe that the future of our beloved country is in the hand of youth and we want that our youth must grow in a peaceful environment. To promote a healthy and peaceful environment through school going youth and teachers. Cultural and irrcuriculum activities are one of the most effective means of peace education. It channels the creative energy of youth from unhealthy activities to productive relationships. He also thanked the Qurban and Surraya Trust School and Degree College ' administrator and staff for providing an opportunity to share and observe peace moments with them. To support the United Nations OPD is providing peace education to the targeted schools District Lahore. OPD works in collaboration and partnership with like minded organizations and networks.

Objectives of the activity:

1- To provide an opportunity to the children of the targeted schools to promote a culture of peace, human respect and human values.

2 - To provide an opportunity to students to come forward and openly express their feelings, concerns, experiences and needs for peace.

3- To aware, sensitized and empower young children to raise voice to promote a culture of peace and human dignity and values.

4- Schools structure must be based on equity and social justice, free from discrimination on the basis of class, caste or gender.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Qurban Mrs. Abida Mahmood and Principal Girls section Ms. Qudsia Huma Khan thanked the OPD for organizing such a wonderful Peace Pole activity. They also assured the organization that they will continue their cooperation regarding the restoration of peace and human values in the country and around the world. Students did speeches, sung a song and shared their views about peace pole activity.

Figure 2 A students is delivering speech in the presence of teachers and his fellow students

Organization for Peace and Development collaborate Peace Pole planting Ceremony with Qurban and Surraya Trust while they were observing WSF Global Mobilisation Day Pakistan Education Watch held an activity involving more than 1000 students directly from Qurban Trust Lahore Pakistan . The students had prepared letters to the education minister of Punjab highlighting the importance of Education and had intended to take the letters in person but as she was unavailable the letters were posted to her office today.

Students had also prepared songs and speeches to commemorate the theme and these were presented to the senior management team. The students laid stress that Education is the only way out of poverty, war, conflicts and we all need to concentrate on making education accessible to all- especially those children who are trapped into child labour in regard to promote a peace and harmony among the people and around the world.

. A special prayer"May Peace Prayer on Earth" for peace, harmony and education marked the moment. May Peace Prevail on Earth. May Peace Prevail in Pakistan .