Global Peace Alliance Festival
2022/09/22 (Thursday)
Global Peace Alliance (GPA) BC Society invites you to the Bell Performing Arts centre, in Surrey on October 1st at 11:00 am for their yearly “Give Peace a Chance” festival commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace. The focus this year is the UN’s theme: “End Racism, Build Peace”. The publication ten years ago of R.B.Herath’s A New Beginning for humankind, A Recipe for Lasting Peace on Earth led to its formation by community leaders and citizens in Surrey.
We are faced with conflict, war, and economic hardship around the world. Homelessness and violence in our neighbourhoods must end. The GPA festival celebrates and embraces peace, community action and togetherness like no other! Join us as we urgently call for change to focus on saving our beautiful planet and humankind.
The event will be at the Bell Performing Arts Centre. This beautiful venue will showcase the talents, efforts and stories from our diverse community. An exciting multicultural show awaits in addition to stimulating, knowledgeable speakers and activists who discuss world conflict, foreign policy and a better future of our planet. We acknowledge Orange Day, Remember the Children via Special Message and song by Tom Jackson who continues to be a triple threat actor, musician and humanitarian and is one of Canada's favourite and most honoured Indigenous performers!
The keynote speaker is Kachina Melinda Bige, from Lutselk'e Dené First Nation, the Indigenous Chair at Kwantlen University. She will speak to the Intersections of Truth and Reconciliation and Anti-Racist Action towards Peace. Other excellent speakers are Political Science Professor Emeritus, Peter Prontzos from Langara College and Chuka Ejeckam from the think tank, Canadian Center of Policy Alternatives, among others.
A panel discussion will continue with emphasis on solutions to ending Racism and what each one of us can do to make our communities safe, thriving and loving. Panel guests are Lorene Oikawa, Past President of the National Association of Japanese Canadians, Pete Fry is a first-term Vancouver City Councillor a director on the Union of BC Municipalities, and Lama Mugabo is a Community Planner with a passion in social justice, food security and community development. He is presently managing the RR25 Legacy Project at Simon Fraser, at the Institute for Diaspora Research and Engagement in researching ways the Rwandan development model can foster reconciliation in Canada.
We are very excited to showcase the talents of singers such as the upcoming amazing Glisha, poets and dancers Babeeta Chhabra and Sherry Duggal, Sudnya Dance Academy, Steve Marc and the Marksmen world/reggae band. More entertainment TBA from diverse cultures such as Greece, Ukraine, Vietnam, Nepal, China, Peru, Africa and others.
An all-age, peace themed art exhibit, community tables, children’s activities, savoury treats and much more awaits. Entry fee is nominal, children and seniors are free, get your tickets before they are sold out! Don’t miss this important event. Come enjoy a day of enlightening talks, and an amazing diversity of performances all with the goal of a peace movement dedicated to Truth, Reconciliation and Anti-oppression. We can build a culture of Peace!
Here is the link for the program: