Cathedral City Peace Initiative invites the community to commemorate the International Day of Peace with a special observance and art exhibition on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. at the Cathedral City Library, located at 33520 Date Palm Drive.
The event will feature two powerful exhibitions designed to promote peace education and cross-cultural understanding. The centerpiece will be the Mayors For Peace Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition titled “A Message from 1945 to the Future,” which presents historical perspectives on the importance of nuclear disarmament and lasting peace.
In a meaningful display of solidarity and hope, the event will also showcase an exhibition of children’s art from Gaza, complemented by artwork created by local Cathedral City children. This collaboration highlights the universal desire for peace among young people across different cultures and circumstances.
The art components of the event are managed by Karen Riley, Executive Director of the S.C.R.A.P. Gallery.
Community Engagement and Peace Activities
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in creating peace flags that will later be displayed at Cathedral City Hall, symbolizing the community’s ongoing commitment to peace initiatives. This hands-on activity allows residents to contribute directly to the city’s peace advocacy efforts.
Event Details
The observance is free and open to the public. Community members are encouraged to RSVP by calling 760-567-6464 to help organizers plan for attendance.
About the International Day of Peace
Established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 36/67, the International Day of Peace serves as a global call for ceasefire and non-violence. The UN resolution stated the day should be devoted “to concentrate the efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as the whole of mankind, to promoting the ideals of peace and to giving positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable ways.”
The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date, encouraging both personal reflection and community action toward building a more peaceful world.
Cathedral City’s Commitment to Peace
The Cathedral City Peace Initiative, founded by Robert McKechnie, began after McKechnie attended the Rotary E-Club of World Peace Conference in Ontario, California in October 2019. Inspired by the idea that many seemingly impossible human achievements—from eradicating smallpox to building remarkable structures—have become reality, McKechnie was motivated by the vision that the cultural institution of war could also be abolished.
A project of the Cathedral City Senior Center, the Peace Initiative operates under guiding principles of being non-political, non-religious, and non-confrontational. The organization works to promote peace within ourselves, within Cathedral City, and throughout the world. Cathedral City proudly holds the designation as an International City of Peace, reflecting the community’s ongoing commitment to peace advocacy and engagement.
Through events like this observance and art exhibition, the organization continues to foster understanding, promote dialogue, and inspire action toward creating a more peaceful community and world.
For more information about the International Day of Peace Observance & Art Exhibition, contact the Cathedral City Peace Initiative at 760-567-6464.
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