Peace Tree Day is generously supported by a grant from Welcome to Tree Day 2011!

t is with great pleasure that we welcome all the Peace Tree Delegates and Ambassadors from across and from as far away as Jammu/Kashmir, . We are delighted that you could Message from Your Host City I th join us for the 6 year celebration of Peace Tree Day, a of peace, diversity and fusion through the arts by children and youth. I am pleased to extend greetings and a warm welcome Today you will experience and learn about the many arts and peace to everyone participating in the 2011 Peace Tree Day initiatives from different and experience the vibrant Peace reeT Celebrations in Toronto. Concert with dances, rhythms and beats from around the world. You will also have a ‘Taste of Diversity’ at the Peace Tree Stand and learn of Organized by the Toronto Peace Tree Committee, the many ways you can work together to celebrate diversity and create Harmony Movement and the Toronto District School peaceful communities. Board, Peace Tree Day is a festival for children and youth of all cultures and faiths to celebrate peace, diversity and We are very fortunate to live in a country that has become the home to fusion of the arts. families from all corners of the world. This gives us the unique opportunity to share our cultures and learn so much about each Originally inspired by Mitra Sen’s award-winning film The Peace Tree, Peace Tree Day encourages students to others’ customs, traditions and beliefs in order to develop respect and work together to create new forms of art, fusing dance, music and crafts to reflect create a peaceful society. We hope you will share your experience today peace and diversity. Student ambassadors will lead panel discussions, intercultural and with your friends and soon begin to celebrate the Peace Tree Spirit in interfaith workshops and share their artwork at the event. your schools and communities so we can continue to live in peace. This is an excellent opportunity for student participants to interact, explore, Peace Tree Day is also a time to create unique and innovative ways experience and develop peace initiatives that can be used in their schools and through the arts to raise funds for children less fortunate. We thank you communities and help shape a positive outlook of the world. Funds raised will for your donation to WarChild and hope children in other parts support War Child Canada. of the world will soon have the chance to also live in peace. On behalf of Toronto City Council, I thank the organizers who made this event And finally, why has Peace Tree Day been created for and by children? possible and participating students for their enthusiasm. Please accept my best The answer is simple – You have the most open-minds and the most wishes for an enjoyable and memorable day. imagination! When you are exposed to diversity, the ideas are endless. We wish you a wonderful experience this Peace Tree Day and Yours truly, hope you discover many new ways to contribute to society and have fun as we celebrate our vibrant cultures of peace TOGETHER! Rob Ford Mayor, City of Toronto ‘If we are to create peace in our world, we must begin with our children.’ ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Welcome to Peace Tree Day 2011

I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the Peace Tree Day celebration organized by the Toronto Peace Tree Committee, Harmony Movement, and the Toronto District School Board. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I would like to thank you for your unwavering devotion to Canada – the open and diverse society we are proudly building together.

Events like this one provide young Canadians the tools to develop their creativity and an exciting environment where they can learn about diversity, inclusivity and tolerance. Through their curiosity and ingenuousness, young people always manage to bring us a new perspective on the Canada of today and provide us with renewed faith in the future path of the pluralistic society we are building together, with them.

Canada has always fostered the enthusiasm and resourcefulness of its youth – their leadership being essential to our future as a thriving nation. Young new Canadians in particular have always been keen to contribute and reach their full potential in this land of opportunity.

Helping them achieve their goals is key to our continued social, cultural and economic prosperity. As Prime Minister Harper noted: “Canadians are rightly proud of the fact that we are a nation of immigrants, people who have come from all corners of the earth and who have worked together to build one of the most peaceful and prosperous nations in human history.”

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and , I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers and all the participants for your continued commitment to Canada’s success as a pluralistic nation. Best wishes for a wonderful event. Sincerely,

The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism June 1, 2011 1 June 2011

I am pleased to send greetings I am pleased to extend to all those gathered for Peace greetings to the Harmony Tree Day. Education Foundation, as you participate in the Philanthropy – one of the 6th year of celebration of pillars of my mandate as Peace Tree Day. governor general – is defined both as an act of giving and Since 1994, your as a love of humankind. When we give what organization has been dedicated to we can, whether on a grand scale or through promoting diversity, combating small acts of kindness, we are, at heart, discrimination and cultural barriers, and philanthropists. encouraging youth to become leaders for social change. I believe that, together, we can define our identity by what we show the world and how With this special day being a festival of we treat those in need. It is up to us to take an peace, diversity, and arts through the spirit active role in improving the human condition of young people, it is appropriate that you for all – in Canada and around the globe. are participating, as 500 student ambassadors from 75 schools across the I comment the organizers and volunteers on GTA gather for intercultural/interfaith their efforts to make this event happen, and I events, and to view their artworks that thank everyone for their contributions to such reflect the theme of the day. an important cause. As The Queen’s representative in Ontario, I send my very best wishes for a day filled with understanding, joy, and peace for all, now and into the future. David Johnston

David C. Onley

June 1, 2011 June 1, 2011

On behalf of the I bring warm greetings to Government of Ontario, everyone participating in I extend warm greetings to Toronto’s Peace Tree Day everyone participating in celebrations hosted by Peace Tree Day. Harmony Movement and the Toronto District School I am delighted to see Board. so many young people coming together in celebration of peace, In Ontario we are so fortunate that people diversity and artistic expression. This much- from many cultures live peacefully together. anticipated event is an occasion to renew In fact, diversity is Ontario’s strength. It has our collective belief in the values of enriched us in many ways – culturally, tolerance, respect and understanding – socially and economically. while also raising funds for War Child Canada. I thank everyone involved in Toronto’s Peace Tree Day project and please accept my best To the students attending Peace Tree Day: wishes for a successful celebration, and for you are a fine example of how young the future. people can use their skills and talents to build bridges, foster co-operation and Yours truly, transform the world into a better place for all.

Please accept my best wishes for a great day. Dr. Eric Hoskins Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

Dalton McGuinty Premier of Ontario June 1, 2011 June 1, 2011

As Minister of Children On behalf of the Ministry and Youth Services, I am of Education, I am pleased pleased to extend wam to extend my best wishes to greetings to all participants, everyone attending friends and organizers of Toronto’s Peace Tree Day. Toronto’s Peace Tree Day. I would like to thank the I would also like to thank the Toronto Peace Toronto Peace Tree Committe, the Harmony Tree Committee, Harmony Movement and Movement and the Toronto District School the Toronto District School Board for your Board for organizing this day that includes commitment to providing innovative all cultures and faiths in celebrating programs about diversity for chidren and understanding and respect among peoples. youth across the Greater Toronto Area. I also commend the commitment of the By encouraging young people of all races, 600 student ambassadors from across the cultures and faiths to show their creativity Greater Toronto Area who are attending and share ideas with their peers, this festival intercultural events and sharing their visions celebrates peace and harmony in the best of peace. Your worthwhile endeavour possible way. should indeed be celebrated.

Our government shares your vision of a Once again, I extend my warmest wishes to province and a world where all children and you all. youth have the opportunity to grow, learn, play, dream and reach their full potential. Sincerely, That is why we continue to work with all our partners to build a strong, inclusive and prosperous Ontario. Leona Dombrowsky Minister of Education Please accept my best wishes for a successful and inspiring event.

Yours truly,

Laurel Broten Minister of Children and Youth Services Peace Tree Day Schedule

10:00 - 10:30 am Student Registration (Main Square) Decoration of Peace Tree

10:30 - 10:45 am Welcome and Introduction to Peace Tree Day (Main Stage) MCs • Alyna J. Nanji & Jewel Fraser Opening Ceremony and Blessing • Gaisheda Kheawok, Peace Elder

10:45 am - 12:45 pm Student-Led Intercultural Workshops (Main Square and Upper Balcony behind Stage)

12:45 - 1:00 pm Lunch (Main Stage)

1:00 - 2:00 pm Peace Tree Concert (Main Stage • Open to Public) • Dances and songs reflecting peace, diversity and fusion by children and youth from across Toronto Peace Tree Day Workshops Peace Quilt

Afro-Caribbean Dance

Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes

Deaf and Sign Language

Peace Tree Fusion Dance Medicine Wheel... Peace from All Directions

Dia de Los Muertos Mexican Mask Making

Rangoli

Peace Tree Symbols

Taste of Diversity and Peace Tree Stand Welcome to the Peace Tree Concert

Guest Speaker • Emma Cosgrove from WarChild Canada Lion Dance by Students from Maplewood High School With origins hidden deep within ancient Chinese lore of the Jade Emperor, the Lion Dance is intended to ward off evil spirits and express joy and happiness. Inspired by traditional lion dance, the Maplewood Lion Dance troupe celebrates the joy and diversity of Asian culture and the unity of all people through our performances. The troupe is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Peace Tree Day celebrations. Teacher • Jason Kenemy

Imagine by John Lennon Inglewood Junior Choir Over the last year, the Inglewood Junior Choir has been committed to sharing songs that inspire peace, youth activism and triumph over adversity. The choir had the opportunity to perfrom at the concert, ‘Keeping the Dream Alive’, at Roy Thomson Hall held on Martin Luther King Day. It is therefore fitting that the choir’s final public performance of the year be two songs that continue with the theme of peace and unity. We are thrilled to be able to perform both ‘Imagine’ and ‘All You Need is Love’; two songs that have become anthems of peace, love and respect. On behalf of the entire Inglewood Junior Choir, we hope that you enjoy Peace Tree Day 2011 and are inspired, in the words of John Lennon, to give peace a chance! Teachers • Matt Ross and Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini

Special Guest • Aiishwariya Haran Actor from ‘The Peace Tree’ Film Cha Cha Cha by Students from Joy of Dance Cha Cha Cha was derived from the Cuban Mambo dance called Chasse mambo. It was then named Cha Cha Cha from the sound of women’s shoes shuffling across the floor. Teacher • Mark Read

Kathak Dancers by Raagini Dance Kathak is a dance that originated in North India. The name Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word katha meaning story, and katthaka in Sanskrit means she/he who tells a story. The girls from Raagini Dance will share the dance ‘Shanti’, which means peace in Hindi and perform Kathak-style movements praying for world peace. Teacher • Bageshree Vaze

Welcome to Peace Tree Ambassadors from Jammu/Kashmir, India Ayaz Khan, Mushahid Khan, Taranum N. Khan, Altaf Habib

Ogún by Students from Nelson A. Boylen C.I. Ogún is an Afro-Cuban sacred piece stemming from the Yoruba ethnic group of Nigeria, West Africa. Ogún is an African deity representing iron and hard work. He is the patron of all blacksmiths. Teacher • Varvareh Hakoub Gourjianrad

All You Need is Love by the Beatles Inglewood Junior Choir IMAGINE

Words and Music by John Lennon

Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people living for today, a-ha-ah-ah-ah

Imagina que no hay países (eemaheena kay no i pie-ee-ses) No es difícil de hacer (no ess deefeesil day assair) Nada para matar o morir (nada para matar oh moreer) Y tampoco religión (ee tampohco ray-lee-he-on) Imagina toda la gente (eemaheena toda la hen-tay) Viviendo la vida en paz, yoo-hoo-ooh-ooh-ooh (beebeer la beeda en paz)

You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope some day you’ll join us And the world will be as one

Imaginez aucune possession (emajeenay ohkun possession) Je me demande si vous pouvez (je muh demande see vous pooh-vay) Un monde sans avarice ou faim (un monde sans av-a-reese ooh fa) Une fraternité de l’homme (une fra-tern-ee-tay de lum) Imaginez tous les gens (emajeenay two lay jon) Partageant tout le monde ... yoo-hoo-ooh-ooh-ooh (partajon two le monde)

You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope some day you’ll join us And the world will live as one ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Words and Music by The Beatles

Love, Love, Love. Love, Love, Love. Love, Love, Love.

There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done. Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung. Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game. It’s easy.

Nothing you can make that can’t be made. No one you can save that can’t be saved. Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time. It’s easy.

All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn’t known. Nothing you can see that isn’t shown. Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy.

All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need. Start a Peace Tree Club and Create a Peace Tree in Your School…

n the fall, students can start a Peace Tree Club in their school in order to organize all the peace and diversity initiatives to Ibe celebrated throughout the school year. The Peace Tree Club will run like a mini non-profit organization in the school that empowers students to utilize their skills and talent in a very meaningful way to help create a peaceful society. Students can be assigned positions of responsibility including Artistic Directors, Treasurers, Web Masters etc., so they are able to understand how they can utilize the skills they are learning in school in a practical setting as their outreach will be to the entire community.

As a first activity for the Peace Tree Club, a Peace Tree can be created for the entire school. Peace Tree Ambassadors can engage students in every grade to create a symbol of peace for the school tree. The Peace Tree is a very important symbol for our society as it highlights all our cultures and faiths on one tree and shares the hope of people around the world living together in peace. Now children in Canada, USA, , Scotland, India, , Bahamas, , United Arab Emirates, Taiwan and are creating Peace Trees in their schools. The following steps outline how to create your Peace Tree ...

ollect leafless Cbranches from around the yard and plant in a large pot or planter. Place planter in front foyer, library or classroom. The tree can range from 4’ to 8’ in height; however, it should have many small branches to hang the symbols. A real tree can also be bought so that children can watch as it grows from year to year. Some students paint a Peace Tree on the wall and create the symbols out of construction paper. Otherwise you can contact your local Parks and Recreation and ask them to donate a tree they have cut down. You can also think of other ways to create your Peace Tree.

eace Tree Ambassadors can inspire every student in the school Pto make a symbol from their culture or a peace symbol from their faith that they would like to share on the school Peace Tree. Students should research their symbols and share their meaning with the class. Students can create their symbol out of colourful construction paper (cut and paste), paper mache, Fimo, foam sheets, sticks etc. Be imaginative.

ymbols from different faiths and cultures can include, the Moon Sand the Star from Islam, the Star of David from Judaism, a Diya from Diwali, the Om from Hinduism, the Cross from Christianity, a Sikh Khanda, a Kwanzaa Kinara, the Yin Yang from Taoism, a Chinese Lantern etc. Visit www.peacetreeday.com and click on Peace Tree Day Kit and then symbols for stencils. Make sure there is a diversity of symbols represented on the tree to reflect the true meaning of The Peace Tree – ‘embracing the beauty of every culture and faith to create peace in our world’. ach class can go down to the Peace Tree in the foyer/library and Eplace their symbols on the tree. One class can be responsible for creating a large origami paper crane to place at the top of the tree as the paper crane was the inspiration for creating the Peace Tree. Every class should assign Peace Tree Ambassadors to take care of and maintain the tree as peace needs to be created and that means the Peace Tree needs to be taken care of and nurtured. Some schools may want to create a Peace Tree Centre in the library or turn their guidance office into the Peace Tree Centre with their Peace Tree, peace books and music reflecting peace and diversity.

hroughout the year, as students research different countries, Tfestivals and cultures, they can add more life and colour to their Peace Tree with new symbols, so it continues to grow and highlights the beauty of ‘diversity in unity’. Similarly, the Peace Tree Centre can have displays of the , famous peace leaders, peace quotes and many creative reflections of peace and diversity. Please visit http://peacetreespirit.blogspot.com to see images of Peace Tree Ambassadors at work to create their Peace Tree Centre.

y the end of the school year, the Peace Tree will be adorned with Bornaments, symbols and messages from all our diverse cultures and faiths and be truly reflective of the children in the school and what they have learned through the year.

o celebrate the learning over the year and as a culminating T|activity, the Peace Tree Club can organize their school and community’s Peace Tree Day celebration on June 1st every year. Peace Tree Ambassadors in the Peace Tree Club can begin planning Peace Tree Day from January and brainstorm creative peace initiatives including dances and music that blend concepts from different cultures and conduct workshops like ‘Paper Cranes for Peace’, ‘Mehndi Mela’, ‘Peace Tree Dance Fusion’ etc.). They can also create a Peace Tree Stand where students sell drinks from different cultures in order to raise funds for children in war torn countries. On this day children can also dress up in clothes from their cultures or a culture other than their own, greet each other in a different language, play music from different cultures and bring in clothes and old toys to give to underprivileged children. Please visit www.peacetreeday.com to see the many ways to celebrate Peace Tree Day. nce your Peace Tree and Peace Tree Centre have been created in Oyour school please send a photo to [email protected], so we can post it on our site at www.peacetreeday.com. Peace Tree Day at Home…

t home, children can create a mini Peace Tree and add a new symbol Ayearly. Every year children and their families can choose a culture to research, learn about and celebrate. In addition to reading stories, listening to music and creating art from this culture, families and friends can get together to cook a meal or go to a restaurant and enjoy food from the chosen culture. It’s wonderful if you can find a friend from your chosen culture and learn about their traditions and customs over a nice dinner together.

It is our hope that Peace Tree Day will be celebrated in cities around the world as it is a festival when people of all cultures and faiths can celebrate peace and diversity TOGETHER! ‘The Peace Tree…on our own we glitter …TOGETHER WE SHINE!’ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. ~ Jimi Hendrix

‘We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all threads are equal in value, no matter what their colour.’ ~ Maya Angelou

‘I dream of the day when my four little children will grow up in a land where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.’ ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

‘Even as a tree has a single trunk, but many branches and leaves, there is one – human religion – but any number of faiths.’ ~ Mahatma Gandhi

‘Every kind of peaceful cooperation among people is primarily based on mutual trust.’ ~ Albert Einstein