Students embrace International Day of Peace

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- People around the world are celebrating the idea of peace.

Friday marked the United Nations International of Peace Day, and one local school district took the opportunity to mark the occasion with students half a world away.

Despite the ongoing conflicts in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, students in New Haven and Poland were more concerned Friday about making the world a more peaceful place.

At Co-op High School in New Haven it was a morning to sing songs about establishing a more peaceful world.

"If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the morning."

However, the hundreds of students gathered there were not alone.

"Good morning everyone, genoble everyone, that's Polish for good morning."

The kids in New Haven communicated in real time with students from a school in Wielun, Poland via a live video stream.

"Peace is neutrality, peace is freedom, peace is independence."

A concept that is universally sought, but difficult to achieve.

"There is no nobler calling than peace, what we strive for peace and respect in our schools and neighborhoods it sets an example for the whole world," said Dr. Reginald Mayo, Superintendent of New Haven School.

It was a day of speeches and music, from the traditional to the more cutting edge.

"Shelter them to with your loving arms."

"Rosa Parks sat on a bus...and didn't let anyone put her in a rush."

In the end, it was about striving to end conflicts.

"The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared this day to decide ideas to strengthen the ideas of peace, between nations and peoples," said Jordan Random, Hillhouse High School senior.

A noble goal that the kids from both sides of the Atlantic promise to work hard to achieve.

This is the second year the New Haven schools have had a live stream with a foreign school on the International Day of Peace.