Welcome to the Peace Plaza
Proud to support Operation Respect Rock River Valley which was the focus of the 2011 International Day of Peace at the Peace Plaza.
Aspiring for true peace and tranquility and celebrating diversity and heritage, the Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza is located in Rockford, Illinois. It is easily accessible from I90 (Riverside Exit) west one-half mile to McFarland Road and south one quarter mile.
The Peace Plaza is situated in a 2.5 acre park which also serves as a trailhead for Rockford’s 20 mile Perryville Path network of bicycle and recreational trails with an easy link to Rock Cut State Park located three miles north of the Peace Plaza. Ample parking is available at the Peace Plaza.
Day or Night ... The Peace Plaza is an inspiring sight!
Where do we find peace?
“If we are to have real peace in the world, we must begin with the children.” Mahatma Gandhi
We look to the children of the greater Rockford region to inspire us all to participate fully
in the quest for enduring world peace. The Keeling Puri Peace Plaza is dedicated to support
the young leaders of the Rockford Region as they work to create sustainable change.
Rock River Valley young people are already mobilizing to solve the greatest challenges faced by communities around the world.
Hannah Warren founded Jhoole, an eco fashion social enterprise based in Madhya Pradesh, one of the poorest states of India, to benefit women living in poverty. Jhoole’s goal is to break the cycle of chronic poverty by employing mothers so that they can send their children to school generating a chain reaction that can ultimately transform
an entire community.
After fostering Operation Respect nation-wide in the Ukraine, Bob Schlehuber brought
Operation Respect Rock River Valley (ORRRV) to our community with a goal of creating a community culture of caring, safe and respectful environments. This local initiative was featured at the 9th Annual International Day of Peace at the Peace Plaza in September of 2011 and has been adopted in schools, community centers, after school programs, and churches region-wide.
Our children have partnered with organizations such as
Pennies for Peace ,
World
Bicycle Relief,
Kids Around the World, and
New Global Citizens finding local solutions to global and local problems.
“The young do not know enough to be prudent and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation.” Pearl S Buck
We have great hope for the future of our community and our world! Look for periodic updates here summarizing the efforts of our incredible young people.
The Peace Plaza is proud to host the International Day of Peace each year on September 21st.
This day is shared with 1000 3rd – 5th grade area students who:
- Celebrate the cultural heritage of our community
- Learn to appreciate individual differences and similarities
- Become aware of our responsibilities as global citizens to strive for peace in our world
2012 will be the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Peace in the Rock River Valley and the focus of the 2012 celebration will be the United Nations.
The Peace Plaza has been honored to welcome visitors from all over the world. Our guests have included:
- Nobel Peace Prize Winners:
Dr. Oscar Arias (1987)
and “Jane Addams” (1931) - Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary and founder of Operation Respect (Peace Day 2011)
- Greg Mortenson of Central Asia Institute (Peace Day 2008)
- Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Education Coordinator for UNICEF (2011)
- “Abraham Lincoln” (Peace Day 2009)
At Peace Plaza,
One World
Comes Together.
May Peace Prevail on Earth