Jamaicans urged to ‘Speak Peace, Live Peace’ today

Peace Day 2025 is to be celebrated today under the theme ‘Speak Peace, Live Peace’, with the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA), in collaboration with its partners, planning series of activities to mark the occasion.

One of the key events will take place at Chalky Hill Primary School in St Ann, where the VPA has partnered with the Sandals Foundation to promote peace education among students.

Dr Deanna Ashley, executive director of the VPA, has expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its role in instilling positive values in young minds.

“As we celebrate Peace Day, we want to reinforce the importance of kindness, respect, and unity among students. This partnership is a meaningful way to encourage them to actively embrace peace in their daily lives,” said Ashley.

The event at Chalky Hill Primary will feature student performances, poetry recitals, and drumming, all in observance of the day’s theme. A symbolic peace chain activity will see students transitioning from their grade lines into a large circle, exchanging peace gestures — such as handshakes, fist bumps, or high fives — while chanting, ‘Speak peace, live peace’.

Representatives from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information and the Sandals Foundation will deliver remarks and messages of support for the initiative.

Meanwhile, Peace and Love in Society (PALS) will host a Peace Day Concert at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew. The concert will feature student performances and presentations by peace advocates, aimed at fostering conflict resolution and peace-building skills among youth.

Ashley emphasised that Peace Day serves as an opportunity for national reflection on values such as kindness, respect, and unity.

“Schools are encouraged to have students create peace messages that not only decorate their classrooms but also promote a culture of peace. These activities play a crucial role in raising peace awareness and encouraging students to integrate these values into their daily interactions,” she stated.

As part of its ongoing peace initiatives, the VPA will conclude Peace Month in March with the announcement of the winners of the Trees for Peace Competition. The competition was launched in September 2024 on International Day of Peace and has seen participation from more than 100 schools across the island.

Ashley underscored the significance of the initiative, noting that it was introduced in response to the increasing crime and violence affecting schools.

“Recent incidents of violence, ranging from gang conflicts and physical assaults and other disruptive behaviours, have had a profound impact on students, educators, and the broader community. This initiative seeks to address these issues by fostering safe and restorative environments within schools,” she said.

The Trees for Peace Competition promotes the creation of peace gardens in schools, serving as both symbolic and functional spaces for non-violence, conflict resolution, and reflection.

“This initiative is designed to catalyse prevention, mitigation, and response efforts to violence. By integrating peace gardens into schools, we are not only creating safe spaces but also providing students and staff with tools to resolve conflicts peacefully,” Ashley noted.

The competition is supported by the education ministry, the Ministry of National Security, the Forestry Department, the National Environment and Planning Agency, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the Early Childhood Commission, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, and Brainware.