Flag Raising Ceremony for International Day of Peace

A Flag Raising Ceremony to mark the UN International Day of Peace was held at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 21 September.

The event was also a celebration and recognition of the work of John Katsoulieri, formerly Farrington, who along with Steve Cooke was instrumental in the organisation of the Peace Parade UK events which took place in Rochdale from 2006 – 2010.

Members of John’s family and friends attended the ceremony including his sister, Sharon and his son Gabriel.

 

 

This year’s theme is “The Right to Peace”.

This year's Peace Day celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

"The Right to Peace - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70."

The Mayor Mohammed Zaman quoted Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that”

Mayor Mohammed Zaman said: “Today we are giving our message to the whole world that Peace is the only way forward.”

Before the flag was raised, Steve Cooke made the following speech: “From 2006 – 2010 as Peace Parade UK, John Katsoulieri, who was formerly known as Farrington, and myself were instrumental in marking the United Nations International Day of Peace in Rochdale.

“As you know we recently lost John and all that he still had to give.

“It’s fitting that we’re here to mark UN Peace Day 2018, a cause for which John gave much of his considerable energy and talent.

“This year’s theme is “The Right to Peace” – The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 70.”

“The UN Secretary General António Guterres says ‘It is time for all nations and all people to live up to the words of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognises the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race.’

“A peaceful society is one where there is justice and equality for everyone. 

“As John firmly believed we can all be part of the solution by taking small steps.  For example, by preventing an injustice in school, in the workplace or in our communities.

“By adopting a non-violent approach to all our problem solving and by reporting potential crimes, including online bullying and making sure that together as a community we support each other by creating a more peaceful world from within.

“As John showed we can all be leaders in creating a peaceful world and recognising that we are all ‘Human First’.”

The Peace Flag was raised to a round of applause.

Hot drinks and Danish pastries were served in the Town Hall after the flag was raised. 

Slides of images from the Peace Parades were shown while people networked and enjoyed the refreshments which had been provided by Steve Cooke.

The Mayor had invited people to write down their own messages of Peace which they readily did.

A few examples are:

“Peace begins with each one of us”

“Peace is present in all our hearts, don’t let this world tear it apart”

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of love”

“We are all of one kind. Humankind.  We all need Peace in our lives, now and for all.”