SMU Marks International Day of Peace 2015 with its Largest and Most Diverse Celebrations in a Decade

• Singapore’s First Peace Pole in Educational Institutions Unveiled
• Global Festival Themed “Celebrating Our Global Family”
• SMU’s Peace Pole permanently planted at SMU’s GROW plot in front of Schools of Accountancy and Law

The Singapore Management University (SMU) commemorated the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Peace on 21 September 2015 with its largest celebrations since the annual tradition was started a decade ago. Marking SG50 and SMU15, the University presented its most diverse and inclusive programme ever, involving students from across nationalities and more partners to organise a global festival this year, demonstrating unity and strength in harmonious diversity.

SMU’s celebratory theme “Celebrating Our Global Family” and programme was aligned with UN’s 2015 commemoration theme “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All”.

[Photo: Students from about 40 nationalities, which is the most diverse representation ever for the annual event, participated in this year’s celebrations officiated by SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer (with tie).]

The highlight of the celebrations was a Peace Pole unveiled at the colourful and vibrant ceremony at the University’s Concourse led by SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer. A first for Singapore’s educational institutions, SMU’s Peace Pole is a permanent monument at SMU’s GROW plot, the homeground of the University’s urban farming movement situated in front of its Schools of Accountancy and Law. It bears deep significance of the University’s commitment to promote peace and diversity.

[Photo: SMU’s Peace Pole, an international symbol and monument of peace, is firmly grounded on campus at the SMU GROW plot, signifying the University’s commitment to promote peace and diversity. It is inscribed with the United Nations’ Peace Pledge in Singapore’s four official languages. The SMU students in this picture, their universities and the countries they represent are (left to right): Ivan Hanselmann, University of St. Gallen Switzerland, Brazil; Tung Hwee Ping Jeslyn, SMU, Singapore; Nicholas Ku Yu Long Gottron, SMU, Singapore; Wanniwat Kanjanaphoomin, SMU, Thailand; Nur Nabiilah Bte Mohamed Hanifah, SMU, Singapore; Sina Scheffel, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany; Beomjin Heo, SMU, South Korea; Haja Reethwan, SMU, Singapore; and Veronika Gurianova, SMU, Russia.]

It was a visual display as the SMU community and guests were welcomed by a lively procession comprising students from about 40 nationalities, which is the most diverse representation ever for the annual event. ‘Performers’ proudly donned their national costumes, and waved their country flags in larger-than-life fashion at the parade. Participants also came sportingly in costumes and accessories showcasing their origins.

[Left Photo: The lively procession comprised students from about 40 nationalities, the most diverse representation ever in SMU’s decade of peace celebrations. Right Photo: The SMU celebrations were joined by distinguished guests, including Dr Aiman M Momenah, Cultural Attaché, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (right); HE Håkan Jevrell, Swedish Ambassador to Singapore (third from right); and Ms Tarja Parkkinen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland in Singapore (fifth from right).]

[Photo: Mr Sascha Kienzle, Head of Science and Technology Department, Embassy of Germany in Singapore (in brown suit), joining SMU’s international students after the diverse and colourful procession.]

The pulsating energy paused for the UN Peace Pledge recital – “May Peace Prevail on Earth” – in native languages of SMU’s international students, as well as observance of a minute’s silence, as part of the tradition practised for worldwide celebrations on this Day, and a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives for world peace.

[Photo: Each country’s student representative recited the UN Peace Pledge “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in the individual’s native language.]  

The buzz continued with a jubilant global festival offering a taste of the ‘world classroom’, through an international food, cultural, arts and studies showcase. Food from 14 cultures, a poster exhibition on student project work from SMU’s Diversity Leadership Development Programme, an overseas studies showcase by global partners and SMU students, and an exclusive photography exhibition in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, provided slices of bite-sized international experiences for guests and participants.

[Photo (left to right): Mr Lotfy Jamil Allaf, Deputy Head of Mission and Counsellor, Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Singapore, together with Professor Arnoud, SMU President, officiating the opening of the exclusive “Splendour of Saudi Lenscape” Photo Exhibition held in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission at SMU’s de Suantio Gallery.]

[Photo: The global festival offered a taste of the ‘world classroom’, through an international food, cultural, arts and studies showcase.]

Ahead of Peace Day, a Model-UN@SMU event to promote active global citizenship was also held by United Nations Students’ Association (UNSA-SMU) and the Office of Global Learning (OGL). 

Professor Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President said, “Despite different backgrounds, we come together to celebrate the International Day of Peace as one big SMU family with the world. As we witness unrest, conflicts and immense human sufferings around the globe, let us learn to appreciate diversity and celebrate peace, which we should never take for granted.

The University’s vision for global learning is to continuously build the SMU advantage for students to better cope in an increasingly globalised world and become better global citizens. SMU believes in transformative and all-rounded education, developing student leaders who can embrace diversity and inclusion, and lead and contribute their best to make the world a better place. The world is our real classroom, enriching and redefining learning.”

Following the planting of the Peace Pole, SMU will be observing the UN’s World Food Day on 16 October where international students from various countries will gather at the SMU GROW plot to plant seeds as a symbol of unity of different cultures coming together to cultivate a common spirit of “Feeding the World, Caring for the Earth”.

Embracing diversity and inclusion has always been in SMU’s DNA, being the first educational institution in Singapore to initiate a full Diversity & Inclusion unit. SMU has a diverse university population, and the University believes that this contributes significantly to cross-cultural understanding and allows for a deeper awareness of world issues.

SMU’s International Day of Peace 2015 celebrations were organised by SMU’s OGL and SMU International Connections (SMUICON).

Enjoy more photos of SMU’s 2015 peace celebrations below!

For more information on SMU’s decade of peace celebrations, please refer to the Annex appended.

For more information on SMU’s global efforts, please refer to SMU’s Office of Global Learning  http://www.smu.edu.sg/global/