World peace day

Towards Inclusive Peace Through Art and Unity – MEDMUN World Peace Day Event Brings Campus Together

“Universal peace, not exclusivity” read one of the notes written and hung by students on the branches of an olive tree at the MEDMUN World Peace Day event. Established in 1981 by the United Nations and officially celebrated on the 21st of September, this day serves as a reminder of the importance and fragility of the ideals of peace, and as a time to cultivate the culture of peace between all nations and peoples. MEDMUN started by bringing together our own community, Sciences Po’s Menton Campus on the 20th of September. Students and faculty were invited to address and express their thoughts and feelings on the difficult questions related to peace and its absence through a tote bag painting activity in collaboration with the BDA, an olive tree dedicated to notes about peace, and a MEDMUN merch sale with all profits directed to charity.  

From Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera to Kofi Annan, influential figures have recognized the significance of art as a medium for peace building, for example through social change and mutual understanding. Art can indeed transcend differences by allowing communication in the universal languages of visuals and emotion. MEDMUN’s collaboration with the Bureau des Arts for tote bag painting embodied this idea, and a lively atmosphere full of color, music and chatter was almost instantly created among the students taking part in the activity. This was also an opportunity for participants to express themselves creatively, which is said to contribute to one’s inner peace, a component of interpersonal and international peace worth addressing. 

In another activity, attendees were encouraged to write little notes about peace and hang these on the branches of an olive tree, a symbol for peace, reconciliation, and friendship. Quotes, wishes, and small drawings decorated the tree, demonstrating the numerous feelings and thoughts evoked in the community on World Peace Day. The administration of the Campus encouraged MEDMUN to plant the olive tree in the school’s garden.

However, peacebuilding is a lot more than creating art and a symbolic tree: MEDMUN sold its merch at the event, directing all profits to the Lebanese NGO Peace of Art, based in Northern Bekaa. The NGO aims to connect people and promote understanding and unity through the transformative forces of art, sport, education, and digitalization. Their latest projects focus on themes such as community youth leadership, digital and technical innovation with a focus on inclusivity, and anti-discrimination in relation to religion and beliefs. Over 150€ was collected by MEDMUN in purchases and donations. 

The World Peace Day event saw a large number of students and faculty come together for this peaceful cause. While art, unity, and wishes for peace alone are not enough for universal peace, the event certainly set a spark of hope and positiveness into this important day. Hopefully, a day will come when the olive tree still stands and witnesses a world and humanity characterized by shared and inclusive peace.