Urbana University, a branch campus of Franklin University, announced that its library will host the “Cities of Peace” exhibit beginning Nov. 5.
Sponsored by the Alicia Titus Memorial Peace Fund, the exhibit allows students and the public to learn more about “International Cities of Peace,” including the city of Urbana.
The exhibit will open on Monday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. and will feature seven panels: one representing six continents with “Cities of Peace” locations, International Cities of Peace, What are Cities of Peace? Are Cities of Peace important? What is a culture of Peace? Fostering our Peace Economy, and a Dayton, Ohio: City of Peace panel.
The exhibit will be open during regular library hours, except during special holiday closures. The library is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fridays; and 7-10 p.m. Sundays.
As part of the opening, a panel discussion will be held featuring a presentation on the history of this global organization by Fred Arment, who played a key role in assisting Urbana with obtaining its designation as a City of Peace. Arment is an author, speaker and executive director of International Cities of Peace, a global organization of leaders who have established their communities as working toward a dynamic culture of peace.
Over 220 cities have been designated Cities of Peace in 50 nations on six continents, with a goal of designating 1,000 cities by 2025. There are 23 Cities of Peace in the United States, including four in Ohio.
“The United Nations has given us a special and powerful gift with International Day of Peace,” Arment said. “Each year, communities all over the world leverage Peace Day to create conversations, host vigils, educate through workshops and lectures, and do practical on-the-ground actions to build a more peaceful world.”
Urbana Mayor Bill Bean will discuss how the city of Urbana became the 140th International City of Peace in September, 2016, as well as Urbana’s history of building peace in the community. Cities of Peace representatives from Springfield and Mechanicsburg have been invited to share their stories on becoming an International City of Peace.
