Continuing a tradition which began two years ago, SMU celebrated the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2007 with a series of activities to commemorate the University’s commitment to world peace. For SMU, the International Day of Peace is especially meaningful, given the University’s diverse student population, 20% of which comprises foreign students from countries around the world.

The celebration began with a ceremony officiated by Professor Howard Hunter, President of SMU, which featured a group of SMU’s international students representing 29 countries, who dressed in their national costumes and recited the universal peace pledge in their native languages. Participants then joined people throughout the world in observing a minute of silence to honour their common commitment to peace.

Another highlight of the day’s activities was a lively discussion forum on the theme “Is Peace in Singapore Blinding us to Social Injustice?”. A panel, moderated by Assistant Professor Eugene Tan from SMU’s School of Law, turned the spotlight on issues such as the widening income gap, marginalised groups, the welfare of migrant workers, and how these issues relate to the notion of peace in the absence of war. Other SMU Peace Day activities included a screening and discussion of "Feet Unbound", a film that follows a young woman as she retraces the footsteps of China’s female soldiers of The Long March. Rounding out the events were a student-led 24-hour fast for peace and an exhibition of Peace Pillars decorated with student art.

The SMU community’s active commitment to peace came to the fore again on 4 October 2007, when 100 students from Myanmar and Singapore organised a candlelight vigil at SMU’s Li Ka Shing Library to increase awareness and understanding among young people about the unrest in Myanmar.