Rochdale leads the way on peace

Photo: Jan Harwood

Nancy Dell'Olio holds a giant Peace Dove at the cenotaph during this year's Peace Event in Rochdale.

Members of Parliament from all three political parties have promised to encourage their local authorities to formally adopt 21 September as the UN International Day of Peace and Non-Violence and to promote the day next year.

They were following the lead of Rochdale, after the town held its third Annual Peace Parade this year. Now 34 MPs, including Lib Dem Deputy Leader Vince Cable, have promised to follow Rochdale’s lead and have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM), tabled by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen aimed at promoting similar events.

John Farrington, one of the organisers of the Peace Day event in Rochdale, said: “We thank Paul for helping us to promote our successful event in September. The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. This is the third time that we have marked the event in Rochdale and I am hugely encouraged to see MPs from all over Britain supporting this important event.

“I will be contacting all the MPs who have signed up with suggestions on how they can follow Rochdale’s lead. Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day and it can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. The impact if all areas of Britain come together for this special day would be immense and this is just the start.”

Paul Rowen MP said: “Yet again Rochdale is leading the way and I am pleased to see that so many MPs are supporting the idea. This year’s event in Rochdale was an outstanding success and I am sure it will lead to similar events the length and breadth of the country. I have been stopped by many MPs enquiring about what we did this year and they are promising to contact their local authority to promote this unique and important day.”