Francesca Simon
Ocado and Peace One Day have brought together 90,000 students to write a poem for peace. Ocado have been affiliated with Peace One Day for a long time and the Poems for Peace competition aims to get children to think about peace as a theme and how this translates in their lives. Ocado supports the Primary Education Resource which includes lessons for parents and teachers alike to talk about peace and violence both on a small and large scale.
Parents and teachers can download the Poems of Peace lesson plan from the website, which encourages people to look at how they can increase peace within their own areas.
Ocado has brought on board the author of Horrid Henry Francesca Simon who will judge the entries from children all over the UK.
Francesca commented, “I’m thrilled to be involved in this worthy cause which engages not only the children but their parents and families, asking them to use their creativity and imagination to write about Peace.”
Jason Gissing, Ocado co-founder and Peace One Day education ambassador said, “As a dad I want my kids to grow up in a world where Peace is a reality for all, not just a dream. Engaging school children is vital in this process as they are the next generation of Peacemakers – this is why Ocado continue to support the Peace One Day Primary Education Resource.”
The writer of the most creative poem will win a trip to The Hague for this year’s Peace One Day concert which last year featured performances by Elton John and Eliza Dolittle. This year’s performers will be announced on 19th June.
The winner of the competition will also have their ‘Poem for Peace’ printed on a limited edition tea towel which will be sold exclusively through Ocado with all profits going to Peace One Day. The tea towels will be in homes across the UK and serve as a year-round reminder of the importance of Peace.
Filmmaker and founder of Peace One Day, Jeremy Gilley, continued: “We’re delighted to be working with Ocado on this project. The ‘Poem for Peace’ lesson plan is a fantastic addition to Peace One Day’s free Primary Education Resource. Young people have always been at the heart of Peace One Day’s work and this competition is a great way to engage them.”