SPOTLIGHT
THE PEACE TREE NURTURES A FOREST OF IDEAS
The Peace Tree, Mitra Sen’s 48-minute award-winning film, has triggered the creation of Peace Trees in Dubai, Argentina, USA, India, Pakistan, Russia, Ireland, England, Mexico and many other countries around the world. The first Peace Tree Day was proclaimed in Toronto on June 1, 2006.
June 1 marks the 20th anniversary of Peace Tree Day – a global celebration of peace, diversity, creativity, and connection, founded by Mitra Sen.
The Peace Tree, Sen’s 48-minute award-winning film, shares the message of uniting our diverse communities through our rich and vibrant celebrations, thereby providing opportunities to prevent the rise in conflict and promoting peace and understanding among people of all backgrounds. It engagingly explores the feelings and thoughts of children from diverse cultures and faiths, who are growing up in our diverse land. Without bias or prejudice, they share their vision of peace where every child and family can unite to celebrate all our vibrant festivals together spreading the message of peace, respect and the magic of diversity.
The Peace Tree shares the story of two little girls, one Muslim and one Christian, who dream of celebrating each other’s festivals, Christmas and Eid, but when they share their dreams, they are met with resistance from their parents who express their concerns. Through their struggles, they create the Peace Tree that highlights the symbols from all our cultures and faiths to reflect the beauty of diversity in unity. The film shares the voices of the children who enlighten their parents to the importance of sharing and celebrating peace and diversity together.
It has been invited to over 50 film festivals including Tribeca Film Festival, and received 13 international awards including the Liv Ullmann Peace Prize at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.
The film has triggered the creation of Peace Trees internationally in Dubai, Argentina, USA, India, Pakistan, Russia, Ireland, England, Mexico and many more countries around the world. The first Peace Tree Day was proclaimed on June 1, 2006, by former Mayor David Miller in the City of Toronto. It has since been proclaimed in cities across Canada. The film has also led to the creation of the Peace Tree Ambassadors’ Network, Peace Tree Centres in schools, Peace Tree Stands, a Peace Tree Garden and a Peace Tree Pavilion in York Region.
Filmmaker and educator Sen founded Peace Tree International in 2010. The non-profit organization empowers children and youth to discover their passion and become social justice leaders who promote peace and celebrate diversity through the arts, culture, diversity, fusion and innovation in order to help children less fortunate around the world.
Through arts, culture, innovation, and fusion, this day is driven for and by children, youth, families, schools, and communities around the world.
This special milestone is an opportunity to empower children and youth to become social justice leaders. By creating innovative ways to spread the message of peace, respect, equity, and inclusion, they can celebrate our diversity and help build a more peaceful world.
Here are some meaningful ways your school, family, or organization can get involved. Many of these activities can start on June 1st and carry on throughout the month!
Visual arts. Create a Peace Tree: Design a diverse and vibrant Peace Tree highlighting cultural and faith symbols with messages of peace. Ensure everyone feels welcomed and celebrated when they enter your space. Visit peacetreeinternational.com for stencils and examples of Peace Trees around the world.
Design a Miniature Peace Tree Centre in School: Use recyclable materials to build a 3D model that can be implemented in the school guidance office or library next year.
Collaborative Murals. Create community art installations or innovative projects through a variety of mediums that incorporate our diverse vibrant cultures to inspire curiosity and open-minded attitudes.
Peace Tree Fashion Fusion. Wear clothes from your culture/heritage with a touch of fusion, embracing the Peace Tree concept. Research the origins of the clothing including when, why and how it was created and share with peers.
Language arts. Peace Tree booklets and pictionary: Create mini-booklets explaining aspects of their heritage they love. Share the booklets, then have students create five cards each to play a game of Peace Tree Pictionary.
Peace Tree Shorts: Interview classmates about five things they love about their culture and heritage using digital tools to create short films to share with class/school.
Peace Tree Creations: Inspire youth to create innovative forms of music, dance, poetry, spoken word, or drama to promote peace and diversity through fusion.
Reflection and dialogue. Under the Peace Tree: Children can gather in a circle under the Peace Tree in the schoolyard and share experiences of racism, discrimination, or exclusion. Brainstorm innovative ways to handle these situations and promote compassion, kindness, and respect.
Fund-raising for change. Peace Tree Stand: Research and sell drinks and treats from different cultures to raise funds for a children’s charity. Please visit Peace Tree Stand.
Peace Tree Bistro: Research a favourite cultural food and work with a partner to create unique fusion snacks to sell to raise funds for a children’s charity.
Share Peace Tree Day activities: Share your creations and celebrations on social media to inspire children and youth around the world. Tag @PeaceTreeInternational.
Follow Peace Tree International, check out Facebook and Instagram for more ways to celebrate Peace Tree Day 2026, and to view 20 years of global celebrations.
“Let’s empower our children and youth to discover their passions, embrace diversity, and create a world where everyone feels included, respected, and celebrated!” says Sen. “Happy 20th Peace Tree Day! Peace and respect everyone!”
The relevance of such an in itiative cannot be overstated in our current world.
More info at www.peacetreeinternational.com.