The Project
In May 2008, UCI's Aldrich Park was circled with one thousand 'Peace Flags' whose aim was to raise awareness about the 40+ ongoing armed conflicts in our world. Conceptually modeled after Tibetan prayer flags, which traditionally promote wisdom, peace, compassion, and strength, each Peace Flag was a large square of colored fabric with a statement providing information about one of the many ongoing conflicts. The Peace Flags were made by various campus groups and clubs in an effort to unite the UCI campus in a communal effort for peace and compassion.

One of our goals was to show the extent to which conflict pervades our world and the extent to which peace is desperately needed. Because we do not confront these conflicts on a daily basis in our normal lives as Orange County students or in our popular media, it is easy and natural to ignore that they are a constant reality for millions of people around the world. To be uninformed is to be complicit, in that many of the things we buy, use or support contribute indirectly to these problems. Perpetuating the state and habit of ignorance does not contribute to a more positive world for oneself or others.

By transforming the campus into an encounter with global issues, we hoped that more and more individuals would be inspired to recognize their place in humanity and to examine their role in it. Ultimately, we hoped that people would be aesthetically moved by the Peace Flags to lead a more active and compassionate life.

The Dalai Lama Scholarship
The UCI Peace Flag Project was the inaugural project of Campaign for Conscience, a student organization that is one outgrowth of The XIV Dalai Lama Endowed Scholarship.

Quilts Made by the UCI Stars
These quilts, given to the Chao Cancer Center, were made in part from peace flag fabrics.

Project Testimonials

When all the flags had been raised at the start of the week, it was clear that everyone's attention had been drawn to the colorful flags waiving above their heads as they walked around Aldrich Park. (continue reading...)

Simon Contreras Vice President, Public Health Association at UCI

It was a great experience to work alongside other clubs and it seemed the other campus organizations grew from it as well. Personally, I think the Peace Flag Project helped both the student body and the outside community realize how much we really need to reconcile our differences and work toward peace in our lifetimes. (continue reading...)

Emily Sadeghi Baha'i Club at UCI

If nothing else, the Peace Flag Project inspired me to be more peaceful, more helpful towards my fellow man. (continue reading...)

Ben Jakovljevic Darfur Action Committee at UCI

Read more testimonials from those involved in the UCI Peace Flag Project here.