Cooperation Circles in Southern California celebrate IDP

North American Cooperation Circles (CCs) were involved in two major events in Southern California this year: OC Peace Fest in Orange County and Peace Sunday festival in Los Angeles.

Cooperation Circles OC Interfaith Coalition for the Environment, SARAH and Compassion Action Network, along with affiliate Sukyo Mahikari, took part in OC Peace Fest in Orange County. The event featured live music, discussion panels, a canned food collection, e-recycling, and fun activities for the whole family. The event’s Peace Builders Panel, under the theme “Peace is Possible!” featurd UC-Irvine Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies Dr. Paula Garb, OC Human Relations expert James Amendaris and President of OCICE Margaret Henke. A Youth Peace Panel discussed “Hacking Peace: Reconstructing Peace for the Now Generation.” The event began at 10AM and ended at 4PM and is hosted by the Sukyo Mahikari Centers for Spiritual Development in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. 

In Los Angeles, the Unity and Diversity World Council CC convened Peace Sunday at the IMAN Cultural Center. Cooperation Circles Unity and Diversity World Council, SARAH, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics and I Am Jerusalem took part.

Outdoor exhibits included an exhibit of student art, essays and poems. There is also a Moment of Peace at 12noon, later followed by live performances by the International Peace Choir. Indoor programs such as an interfaith service were held in the afternoon; followed by keynote speakers such as spiritual teacher, author and lecturer Marianne Williamson; activist working to end gang violence and the death penalty Aqeela Sherrills; and educator and musician Yuval Ron Trio and singer/songwriter Stephen L. Fiske. A special World Peace Prayer and Flag Ceremony will also be held.