Peace Day in Schools

Since 2008, we have provided Peace Day materials to every Chicago Public School, encouraging students across the city to take positive action for peace on the United Nations International Day of Peace, Sept. 21.
All schools, public or private, are invited to participate.

If your school participates, please let us know!

Join this citywide peacebuilding movement by having your students engage in peacebuilding activities! Since September 21 falls on a Saturday this year, in-school Peace Day activities can take place during the week of September 16-20, or on the date of our Daley Plaza celebration which is Monday, September 23.

This year’s U.N. Peace Day theme is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. Students can engage in one of the below activities, take ideas from our fabulous resource list, or create their own Peace Day activity such as peace-themed music, writing, artwork, poetry, drama, sports, environmental projects and more. The possibilities are endless!

Click the individual link for these Peace Day activities:

Pause for Peace – Pledge for Peace Activity
Pause/Pledge Spanish Language Version

Rise Up Against Bullying

Peace Crane Project

Use the below resources to find more student activity ideas suitable for Peace Day and beyond:

United Nations International Day of Peace  IDP themes through the years and other resources.

National Peace Academy  Peace study guides for children and youth.

The Peace Alliance  Inspirational quotes from contemporary and historical peacebuilders.

Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots  Activities to nurture the compassionate leaders of tomorrow.

Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons  Videos and lesson plans for children and youth.

Where I’m From Poem Lesson Plans
Where I’m From Spanish Language Version