Merton Council is pulling out all the stops this year to make sure Peace Week is a festival the whole community turns out to enjoy.
The week, part of London Peace Week, includes a series of events to celebrate diversity, equality and social harmony throughout Merton. It is a chance for residents of different backgrounds, ages, faiths and cultures to take part in a variety of performances and events all to promote peace and safety across the borough.
Among the line-ups taking part in the seven-day celebration is the Attic Theatre Company, which will be presenting a puppet show film on peace created by refugees. Young refugees will also be talking about their experiences of living in Merton at the event at the civic centre on London Road, Morden.
The national STOP Campaign will be paying a special visit to South Wimbledon Youth Centre later on in the week. STOP aims to put an end to young people carrying weapons and joining gangs. It is run by Alex Rose who witnessed the tragic results of gang and knife culture which led to the death of his friend.
Young people have been working hard to create a mosaic for Mitcham’s Peace Garden, which will be formally named at a special ceremony during the week. The United Nations Alliance (UNA) Merton will also be holding a talk on the UN’s role in interfaith and intercultural initiatives to strengthen world peace.
The weekend will see the finale with a Fun Day at Mitcham Fair Green where entertainers from different cultures will perform on stage and there will be dozens of fun activities for children to enjoy. On Sunday local faith and community groups will reflect on peace during a special event at Merton civic centre.
Merton Council’s cabinet member for community safety and engagement Councillor Henry Nelless said:
“This year’s Peace Week promises to be a fantastic series of events with something for everyone, young and old and whatever their ethnicity, faith or culture might be.
“Around 85% of people in the borough already agree that Merton is an area where people from different backgrounds get on. However we remain fully committed to doing everything we can to make sure everyone feels their community works well together and that they can live in peace and safety. I hope as many people as possible come along to enjoy the events being organised and take something away with them afterwards.”
Find out more about Merton’s Peace Week events at http://www.merton.gov.uk/weekofpeace
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