Selkirk College Celebrates United Nations’ International Day of Peace

On September 21, 2009, Selkirk College’s Mir Centre for Peace will mark the United Nations’ International Day of Peace with an evening of meaningful conversations, passionate guest speakers, entertainment and the launch of a major fundraising campaign for the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series.

The Spirit of Peace, which is the name of the celebration/Mir Lecture taking place on the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, will be hosted by Linda Wilkinson, Department Head of International Education at Selkirk College, and will include John Verigin Jr., Executive Director of the Union of Spiritual Communities of Christ, and Dr. Duncan Grady, Instructor of Health & Human Services, as featured speakers. Performances by the Vision of Peace Choir and the corazón vocal ensemble will also be enjoyed, followed by tea and refreshments.

In addition, patrons will be given the opportunity to support the official launch of the fundraising endowment campaign for the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series.

Thanks to a generous gift of $30,000 from Peter Rezansoff, Campaign Chair and President and CEO of Intertech Construction Group of Vancouver, and his wife Elsie, the campaign is off to a fantastic start!

“In line with its vision of world peace, the Mir Centre aims to bring inspiring regional and international speakers to the West Kootenay region on an ongoing basis,” explains Peter. “It is my hope that the donation I have made will inspire others to support the Lecture Series. I believe that the Series will inevitably expand perceptions and help individuals build lives of peace.”

Through a successful campaign to raise $200,000, the Mir Centre for Peace Lecture Series can reach its full potential. Funds raised will go directly into the Mir Centre Speaker Series Endowment and the annual return on the endowment investment will help support the Lecture Series for years to come.

The first 100 donors to give $100 or more towards the campaign will receive a 09/10 Mir bronze medallion created by Kootenay School of the Arts Metal student, Eric MacLellan. Each medallion is one of a kind. Medallion recipients will receive 50% off the ticketed events for the Mir Lectures held in fall 2009 and spring 2010.

Celebrate the United Nations' International Day of Peace with The Spirit of Peace and support the launch of the Mir Lecture Series Endowment Campaign at the Brilliant Cultural Centre in Castlegar on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at door and $8 for students, and are available at all Selkirk College campuses, Otter Books in Nelson and the Castlegar and District Library.

For more information on the Mir Lecture Series, visit selkirk.ca/mir/campaign/ .

First published on September 04, 2009