A special program, including a peace march, will be held on Saturday, September 21 in Nuku’alofa as Tonga marks the United Nation's International Peace Day, under a theme ‘Education for Peace’.

The march will held on Taufa’ahau Road from Vuna Wharf to Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium led by the Tonga Police Brass Band.

Organised by a Tonga National Committee of Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Development (CPAD) chaired by Lord Fakafanua, the program continues at the stadium with prayers and speeches by church leaders, the awarding of cash prizes for winning essay writers and entertainment.

Education

The essay competition for both tertiary and secondary school students is divided into four categories. Ttertiary students are writing on the topic, 'Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means'.

Form 5-7 secondary students are writing on, 'Popular entertaining events like singing or doing competitions and other entertainment events is essential in easing tension and releasing patriotic emotion in a safe way. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this opinion'.

Form 3-4 students topic is, 'A famous person once said if you want to make peace you don’t talk to your friends you talk to your enemies – discuss this statement by agreeing or disagreeing with this statement'.

While for F1-2 students are encouraged to use this starter, 'I believe that an eye for an eye makes us all blind - write about your experiences with conflict and peace in your school and community'.

At the same time, the Ma'a Fafine mo e Famili Tonga a Non-Government Organisation for women and children will hold a candlelight vigil and a family fun night to mark International Peace Day at their office.

Tonga

Pesi Fonua, a committee member, said Tonga's CPAD committee was launched in 2011 under the umbrella of the Stengthening Capacity for Peace in the Pacific Region in conjunction with the United Nations Development Program.

He said when we talk about peace there are three aspects to it. There is nationwide peace, peace within our society whether it be groups or in schools, and peace within ourselves. “It is important that we first find peace within ourselves and the values of tolerance and respect for others,” he said.

He said the theme was timely given the student violence between schools in Tonga and programs to find solutions to this growing problem are needed.

Defend peace

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his message to mark the International Day of Peace urged people to teach our children the value of tolerance and mutual respect.

"Let us invest in the schools and teachers that will build a fair and inclusive world that embraces diversity. Let us fight for peace and defend it with all our might."

The International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire as it provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nationals to create acts of peace.

The International Peace Day was established by an UN resolution in 1981 and was first observed in September 1982.