By By Elizabeth Pierdominici

The University celebrated its first International Day of Peace (IDP) yesterday in correlation to the resolution set forth by the United Nations.

The resolution was established in 1981 upon the birth of the General Assembly. On its 20th anniversary, the UN declared Sept. 21 the official date for the IDP.

The office of Student Activities, Sigma Acepella and Hofstra Democrats united to spread peace and awareness on campus through a concert and informative flyers.

“Being a graduate assistant and student, my personal goal is to foster community and get people together through creative means,” Kim Rhyan, graduate assistant for the office of Student Activities, said.

“Students have already exhibited enormous amounts of compassion with relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina,” Rhyan added. “Student Activities and the student body have the same aim – to create a community of compassion.”

According to the amened resolution, “The International Day of Peace shall henceforth be observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence and invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the day.”

The UN designed IDP as an annual commemoration of the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, beginning 2001 to 2010. This day is reserved for countries around the world to participate in programs that promote peace.

The Office of Student Activites and participating clubs continue to promote peace and community on campus by dedicating November as the Community and Outreach month.

Members of Sigma´Acapella sing their renditions of songs by Michael Jackson and No Doubt to celebrate the first International Day of Peace.