Peace flag raised at Rochdale Town Hall

A special flag raising and bell ringing to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace took place at Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 20 September.

Rochdale’s diverse communities gathered, with many of those ringing bells for peace as the Rochdale Peace Flag was raised by Mayor Billy Sheerin.

The Mayor had opened proceedings by outlining this year’s United Nations Peace Day theme, Climate Action for Peace.

The UK's first official observance of the UN Peace Day was held in Rochdale in 2006, organised by Steve Cooke and the late John Katsoulieri (formerly Farrington) leading to an annual Peace Parade, which ran until 2010.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/4072/rochdale-peace-day-countdown
• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/46302/lack-of-support-blamed-for-end-of-peace-parade

Steve reminded those that, as Peace Parade UK, John and himself were instrumental in marking the UN International Day of Peace in Rochdale.

Last year, John sadly died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/122/notices/121950/obituary-john-katsoulieri-formerly-farrington

John was represented on Friday by his sister, Sharon.

Steve said: “As John showed, we can all be leaders, creating a more peaceful world and recognising that we are all human first.

“Peace can only be achieved if concrete action is taken to combat climate change. Speaking to young Māoris and people of the Pacific islands in New Zealand in May, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, ‘nature does not negotiate’.

“He emphasised four key measures that governments should prioritise in order to reach carbon neutrality by 2050: tax pollution, not people; stop subsidizing fossil fuels; stop building new coal plants by 2020; focus on a green economy, not a grey economy.

“We all can be part of the solution by taking small steps, such as: acting on climate change in our homes, schools and communities through promoting sustainable lifestyles, conserving nature, supporting renewable energy and adopting environmentally friendly practices, preventing an injustice at school, in the workplace or in our communities, encouraging people to stop hurting each other by calling a truce, adopting a non-violent approach to problem solving, reporting potential crimes, including online bullying and hate-related abuse, showing leadership through the way in which we conduct ourselves in all our human interactions.

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

Council leader Allen Brett emphasised the importance of taking action to back up words and promises.

He outlined some of the ways that Rochdale Borough Council is actively fighting climate change through its policies and actions, including being the first and only borough with a completely electric mayoral car.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/128535/mayors-new-electric-car-is-a-first-for-greater-manchester

Ann Jones and Janice Hicks of the Borough of Rochdale Multi-Faith Partnership read out some of the Peace Pledges made a last year’s event and asked people to make their own ‘Planet Peace Pledge’ on the sheets while having a brew and a pastry in the town hall.