The offices of several Auckland councillors and MPs were surprised with a Christmas treat earlier this week. International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) volunteers dropped by with some delicious cookies and a message of peace to launch their Merry Peace-mas campaign. A campaign consisting of ten days of community outreach across the Auckland region to promote the spirit of Peace and oneness amongst the city’s diverse peoples.
In the lead up to Christmas, IPYG are paying heart-warming visits to the elderly, members of the RSA, councils, and those playing active roles in their community. They will also participate in local beach and park clean ups and gather donations for the Auckland City Mission. One IPYG Volunteer was quoted as saying “While Christmas is meant to be a time of love and peace, it is often full of stress and pressure for people. I wanted to help out with this campaign to spread a bit more joy and peace however possible. Even if it means baking cookies or getting my hands dirty cleaning beaches.”
The different activities of the Merry Peace-mas campaign are the product of the global Legislate Peace (LP) Campaign. The LP Campaign has allowed many who are desperately yearning for peace to join the peace-building efforts in their communities and abroad. There is an inherent duty for mankind to prevent conflict and promote harmonious coexistence in this world.
So, this campaign acts as a means by which all individuals can fulfil this responsibility through their active participation in the efforts to promote the universal standards embodied by the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The DPCW is a draft legislation that fosters peace on a global and local level. New Zealand members of IPYG hope that by spreading hope through these various acts of kindness they can show the heart behind the LP campaign, which is the same as the spirit of Christmas. That being, spreading a culture of peace that transcends all differences and divisions, and focusing on the things that unite and bring us together. You can keep up with their Peace-mas adventures on Instagram @ipygnz.
-All content courtesy IPYG New Zealand