1. September the 21st is International Day of Peace, a day of activities sponsored by the United Nations to look at ways of bring people in conflict back into peace. During today’s forum / assembly, we are going to look at how we might contribute to a more peaceful world.
Matt Grant,

2. How can we stop it happening again?
What’s happening?
Why did it happen?
During the Vietnam War, Major Loan had just seen 3 of his side’s soldiers killed by this man. He decided to take revenge. He shot him not long after this photo was taken.
Shortly after, this picture - taken by an American journalist - was placed on every front cover of every national newspaper.
Major Loan had to flee Vietnam and spent the rest of his life in hiding, fearing for his life.
Despite the tragedy of this one moment of madness, people did try to learn from it.
How can we stop it happening again?

3. The Vietnam War lasted 19 years
The Vietnam War lasted 19 years. It started off as a war between two different groups in Vietnam who had very different beliefs about how the country should be run.
During the war, American took the side of one group whilst Russian took the side of another. America went a step further and sent thousands of troops into the country to fight for the side they supported. Russian sent millions of pounds worth of tanks, guns and other weapons to the other side.
What situations does this remind us of today?

4. The picture made people across the world feel horrified and saddened by what was happening in Vietnam.
It caused people across the world, particularly in America, to march together for peace. Thich Nhat Hanh, known as Brother Thay – a Vietnamese Buddhist monk – became famous for his work to organise marches and for his humanitarian work in Vietnam. What does humanitarian mean?

5. Thich Nhat Hanh was born in 1926
Thich Nhat Hanh was born in He has wrote many books and continues to teach people, regardless of their religion, about making peace. He lives in France now and his key message to students of all ages is…

6. One of Brother Thay’s most famous sayings is ‘peace begins with you’ – what does this mean?

7. When someone says or does something that hurts us, we become angry.
We tend to say or do something back to make the other hurt, with the hope that we will somehow suffer less.
This is what Brother Thay says in one of his most famous books about resolving conflict at home, in school, in the workplace….

8. The fact is that when you make the other hurt, they will probably try to find relief by making you hurt more.
The result is an increase of suffering on both sides when what is really needed is help and healing.
Anger and conflict can become a never-ending cycle, whether we are talking about wars between armies or fights between individuals.

9. When some one hurts you, take time out to calm and see clearly.
It is important not to rush to say or do anything. Because whatever you say or do in anger may cause more damage.
We need to watch out for the warning signs, when we are getting angry at something or someone, and take responsibility for keep ourselves safe – and those around us.

10. Think of it like this…
If your house was on fire, the most urgent thing to do is to try to put out the fire.
The best thing those around you could do is to help put out the fire.
If you go chasing the person you believe to have caused it, the fire will be get out of control.
Put the fire out first!
Once it is put out, then you will be in a better position to try solve what caused it.

11. How can we best put out anger?
Following the slides, students write down their responses on a paper copy of the bucket – these can be used as part of a display around the burning house metaphor.
Matt Grant,