How do you find the truth about politicians, issue and more in an election year? To what or whom do you go to for information? Explore these questions and more at this year's annual International Day of Peace event in downtown Geneva.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free, community-wide celebration of the local observance of the International Day of Peace from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22 on the Courthouse lawn, on Third Street (a block and a half south of State Street) in Geneva. This year's event is hosted by UUSG (Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva) and FVJN (Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors).

Returning this year is speaker Thom Thomas, communications consultant and practitioner of the Marshall Rosenberg approach to nonviolent communication. A hit with all who attended last year, Thomas will talk on how to respond to hate language.  

Programming includes a panel of esteemed journalists who will discuss how to find the truth in media in an election year, Geneva High School students who will model honest, respectful debate, and Geneva residents Linda and Loy Williams will speak on their experiences with peaceful protest in Selma, Alabama. 

Please see below for a full schedule.

The first "Peace Day" was celebrated in September 1982, after being established by a United Nations resolution to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. 

The local celebration of the International Day of Peace will kick off with a special Friday night showing of the film, Sisters of Selma, at 7 p.m. This showing is free and open to the public. "This is a story of "aggiornamento," a word Pope John XXIII used to describe the "updating" of societies resistant to change.  More importantly, it is the story of a few women who took it upon themselves to become the agents of that change." 

 This event is free and open to the public, and will also include children's actives and live music. In case of rain, events will be held at UUSG: 102 S. 2nd St., Geneva. For additional information, please visit: http://content.uusg.org/storage/DayofPeace.pdf.

7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21
Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva 110 S. 2nd, Geneva

Free public screening of "Sisters of Selma” video:
How people from a faith community used non-violent protest in support of voting civil rights.

Saturday, Sept. 22
Day of Peace Events, 1-5 p.m. Courthouse Lawn, Third Street, Geneva

• 1 p.m. How to respond to hate language Speaker: Thom Thomas, Communications Consultant and practitioner of the Marshall Rosenberg approach to nonviolent communication. 
• 1:50 p.m. Folk songs 
• 2 p.m. How can voters find the truth in media in an election year?  Journalist Panel Moderated by Rick Nagel. Panel: Kathy Gresey, Editor Kane County Chronicle, Mike Smith, Tri-Cities Editor, Daily Herald, Dirk Johnson, Former Bureau Chief for New York Times and for Newsweek magazine, and current Writer in Residence at Northern Illinois University. 
• Also at 2 p.m.: Activities for Children ages 6-12: Puppet shows, create a newspaper 
• 2:50 p.m. Folk songs 
• 3 p.m. What does honest, respectful debate look like? Model UN students from Geneva High School 
• 3:50 p.m. Folk songs 
• 4-5 p.m. Experiences Participating in Nonviolent Communication in Selma, Alabama  Linda and Loy Williams