Written By: Martin Goli-Cruz
Artdialogo Asia Celebrates UN International Day of Peace with Art Activity Pink Birds of Peace
Each year the world celebrates the International Day of Peace that promotes the period of non-violence and cease-fire. This celebration was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly and in 2001 it was formally declared that the 21st of September is a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace.
This year twenty twenty-one (2021) we are faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, which inspired us to think creatively and work as one in order for us to help one another to recover, build resilience and transform healthier lifestyles due to the pandemic. The Pandemic shattered the lives of poor and marginalized groups. In October 2021 there were 234,553,899 (www.worldometers.info) Covid 19 cases all over the world. This in effect developed a surge of stigma discrimination and hatred in which cost more lives instead of saving them. The United Nations emphasized that “Confronting this common enemy of humankind, we must be reminded that we are not each other’s enemy. To be able to recover from the devastation of the pandemic, we must make peace with one another” (www.un.org).
The 2021 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world”. In line with this Artdialogo Asia was inspired to celebrate the peace month through an Art workshop entitled Building Bridges of Peace Through art at the online event: Cross-Cultural Global Children Peace Festival on September 21, 2021, via Zoom in partnership with Youth for Peace, Global Peace and Development Service Alliance (GPDSA) and Socioprenuer Indonesia.
Our Founding Artist Anna Karina Jardin together with Artdialogo team members Martin Goli-Cruz, Micah Hilotin, Pauline Nievera conducted and curated an online art activity making Pink themed Birds foraying the participants' aspirations for Peace. The activity is inspired by Pablo Picasso’s 1949 Painting turned to an emblem ; Dove of Peace. Student participants who virtually attended the art program came from India, the Philippines, Malaysia and the UK. The participants were excited to help commemorate the United Nations International Day of Peace in Solidarity with the Girls of Afghanistan. In addition, they also gave their written hopes and wishes through the positive and inspiring messages that were addressed to the conflict in Afghanistan. A significant ending from a 7-year-old child participant that “We will not be silent”, a powerful message of woman empowerment was shared ending the activitiy.
#wewillnotbesilient #womenempowerment #worldpeace #letsallloveoneanother. #artdialogoasia #peace #pinkbords