Join together for International Day of Peace

Calexico Fisher 6,and Felix Gruebsch 5, make paper dolls for International Peace Day. Photo by Stuart Munro

A Whanganui group will be observing International Day of Peace on Thursday with paper dolls.

The symbolism, says organiser Deidra McMenamin is about the theme of togetherness.

The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared September 21 as "a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples."

"The maximim number of times you can fold a piece of paper is seven," says Ms McMenamin.

"People in big cities are said to have seven degrees of separation but in Whanganui it is probably only two degrees."

The dolls, she says are a form of peaceful protest and represent the way communities around the world can reach out and join hands for a peaceful planet.

"You can make a doll that represents someone who upsets or annoys you with their actions and rather than sticking pins in it, you can make it a vehicle to encourage better behaviour in yourself and them."

This year, the UN's focus International Day of Peace is on togetherness and mobilising people throughout the world to show support for refugees and migrants.

Its messages will be shared with communities hosting refugees and migrants as well as people concerned that refugees and migrants may bring physical and economic insecurity to their lives.

"it will be about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity," says Ms McMenamin.

Whanganui workshops have produced an array of paper dolls which will be attached to banners and carried from the Whanganui War Memorial Centre to the riverside on Thursday.

Ms McMenamin said everyone is welcome to make their own dolls and join the procession assembling at the memorial forecourt at 12pm on Thursday.