SASKATCHEWAN STUDENTS CELEBRATE PROVINCE'S CENTENNIAL PEACE DAY

Hundreds of students gathered in three cities today promoting peace and celebrating the proclamation of Peace Day in Saskatchewan.

"During our centennial year, young people throughout the province have been participating in a number of activities that promote a culture of harmony and understanding," Provincial Secretary Joan Beatty said. "The proclamation of Peace Day acknowledges the power of children's voices. All it takes is the example of one young person to create positive change in their local schoolyards, their communities and their province."

As part of the Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Peace Project, supported by SaskEnergy and the Saskatchewan branch of the Canadian Red Cross, grades four, five and six students attended "Hear the Children" peace day events in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Regina. About 2,500 children participated in a morning of activities that promote co-operation, mutual respect and non-violence. They also created their own personal message for peace and held a peace march.

"The actions by our young people to promote a peaceful and caring society in their schools, communities and abroad will bring long-lasting benefits to our province," Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "It is especially rewarding to see our youth so involved in promoting peace this year, when we commemorate our centennial and the Year of the Veteran."

September 21st also marks International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage people around the world to observe one full day without violence. In 1998, SaskEnergy and the Meewasin Valley Authority held the first "Hear the Children" peace day event in Saskatoon in recognition of the International Day of Peace.

"After growing the annual event to more than 1,000 students in Saskatoon, management of the program was turned over to the Canadian Red Cross," SaskEnergy Community Relations Manager Leslie Gosselin said. "Expanding the event to include other communities is a great way to celebrate the centennial. We thank all partners for their support in reaching out to Saskatchewan students so that peace may be celebrated provincewide."

In addition to the peace day events, students are planting a peace pole, which is a column with the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth" engraved in a different language on each of its four or six sides. About 80 schools have already committed to planting peace poles. It is hoped that 100 will be planted during the centennial year. Students are also invited to participate in a "Designs on Peace" contest. From the artwork submitted, 100 pieces will be selected by a panel of independent judges to form a permanent display.

Additional information on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 is available online at www.sask2005.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Chris Shauf Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306) 787-1254 Cell: (306) 530-5775