Across the globe, this last week has seen a spike in fear and uncertainty amid the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, so many of the children, youth, and adults we work with experience fear and trauma on a daily basis—so Play for Peace remains committed to continuing our important work. Our team works virtually, so our support to the Play for Peace community will continue uninterrupted during this difficult time.

After recent riots in New Delhi, India, resulted in destruction and loss of life, our club in Mumbai joined together for a special peace session. The group discussed the tragic events and how despite their differences, the group is dedicated to creating inclusion and peace in their community.

Play for Peace is not just an organization. It is a family of peace builders trying to change the world. The Play for Peace connection is strong—so strong that it recently brought together a group of Play for Peace members and former members in Chicago, who are very devoted to spreading Play for Peace in their communities.

As part of our most recent Global Games for Interfaith Harmony Week, this week we hosted an exchange between the HOLA club in Los Angeles, California, and the Cantel Club in Guatemala. Our clubs' shared their visions and the work they are doing, and had a blast in the process!

This month we hosted our first-ever Playshop Connect—with much success! Not only did the group—an organization based in the Chicago area—learn about Play for Peace, but they also took part in a series of fun, interactive challenges and activities that created connection and community among team members.

We are lucky to work with trainers around the world who are dedicated to creating peace. A perfect example of this is Nikhil Mehta, our trainer in Mumbai, India, who recently hosted a Play for Peace session in the Aarey Colony, which has been in the news due to serious conflict.

Just last month, the Play for Peace Global Games took place, offering our clubs a unique way to work together to serve our community and the planet, create peace, and celebrate our year. Here's what happened.

As 2019 comes to an end, we look back with pride at Play for Peace’s many accomplishments this year. With the support of our global community, thousands of children and youth are practicing peace every day, becoming more compassionate people, forming friendships across divides and building thriving communities.

We would like to welcome Dr. Karen McKinney to the Play for Peace Board of Directors! We are thrilled she is joining our global community and excited to share a few details about her extraordinary accomplishments, as well as her new role at Play for Peace.

As the world changes, we are constantly evaluating our methodology to ensure that Play for Peace is meeting the needs of communities around the world. Since climate change is a major challenge the world is facing, we are hosting our first-ever Resilience Training to participants dealing with the after effects of unprecedented flooding.

We are always excited when Play for Peace spreads to new communities and new countries where people can greatly benefit from our peace building efforts. Just this past weekend, we hosted a training in El Salvador that was so successful that we are starting the country's first club.

When it comes to partnering, universities are a natural fit for Play for Peace. For this reason, we recently conducted a two-day youth leadership training at SNDT Women’s University in Pune, India, to teach students there about the cooperative play experience and experiential education. 

We are very excited about two new Play for Peace clubs that recently started in Vietnam, the Danang Club and the Quy Nhon club! After forming this past summer, both clubs are working on educational initiatives that will benefit children in their region, and need your help.

On Saturday, September 21, we celebrated World Peace Day with the seventh annual Play for Peace Fall 5K Run/Walk. Despite the rainy forecast, the successful evening drew 300 attendees and raised more than $41,000 to support our peace building efforts around the world.  

While our community in Sri Lanka was greatly affected by the Easter bombings in April 2019, our clubs’ commitment to peace remained strong. Just months after the tragic terrorist attack, we are once again spreading peace to youth in country.

Tomorrow, September 21, is World Peace Day. In honor of this important global celebration, we are excited about the many wonderful efforts happening in the Play for Peace global community—from our clubs’ World Peace Day activities to our annual Fall 5K event. 

It is thanks to the passion and dedication of our community members that Play for Peace continues to spread to new areas around the world. This is especially true of our regional coordinator, Rita Nguyen, who dedicated her summer vacation to creating laughter, compassion, and peace in new communities in Vietnam.

Back in April, the Himalaya Club was formed in Nepal, bringing peace through cooperative play to new communities in the area. For one youth leader, Saugat Singh Saud, being a part of Play for Peace has been a life-changing experience.

Back in July, Play for Peace conducted a youth training at a peace camp in Nampa, Idaho. Not only was it a great success, but it made a lasting impression on participants and inspired the creation of a new club. 

We are excited to be hosting the seventh annual Play for Peace 5K Run/Walk on World Peace Day this year! Learn more about the event and register now!