In the midst of Syria’s darkest years of war, when headlines echoed with destruction and despair, a new voice emerged—a voice calling for peace, healing, and unity. That voice belonged to DOZ Syria. In September 2014, DOZ Syria launched “Peace One Day”, a two-week campaign that lit up the cities of Tirbespi and Qamishlo with acts of hope, solidarity, and creative resistance.

What began as a few students with posters and poetry grew into a community-wide movement that included children, artists, educators, displaced families, and peace-loving citizens. This was not just a campaign—it was a message: peace is possible, and it starts with us.

The campaign began on September 14 in Tirbespi, where DOZ Syria volunteers filled the town with vibrant posters bearing messages of peace, coexistence, and love. With quotes like “We will find peace, we will hear angels, we will see the sky sparkle with diamonds” (Anton Chekhov), they delivered inspiration into streets exhausted by fear.

The following day in Qamishlo, youth volunteers launched the "Smile of Peace" brochure campaign. They went door-to-door with warm greetings, white roses, and leaflets filled with messages of humanity and nonviolence. Residents welcomed them with gratitude, saying it was the first time in months anyone had brought them not just words, but peace in spirit.

On September 15, the Tirbespi office hosted a children’s drawing contest titled “Colors of Peace through the Eyes of Children.” Young boys and girls, many displaced or growing up amid conflict, were invited to paint what peace looked like to them.

Before they began, facilitators gently asked the children:
“What makes you happy? What are you afraid of? What do you dream of?”

Their answers—simple, pure—led to dozens of paintings filled with sunrises, birds, blooming trees, and smiling families. “They don’t understand politics,” one volunteer said, “but they know peace when they feel it—and that’s what they drew.”

The week continued with a Youth Art Exhibition on September 17–18, where talented students showcased paintings about friendship, safety, and love. One artist, Avin Hassan, was showing her work for the first time. “Just give young people a little space,” the exhibition’s host said, “and they will give you a future.”

In Qamishlo, a Peace Art Gallery opened on September 23–25, bringing together young painters like Khnaf Salih and Rony Ahmed to express what words could not. Local visitors praised the exhibition for uplifting the community and nurturing youth voices.

On September 18, DOZ Syria organized a symbolic football match in Qamishlo: Team Ashti (Peace) vs. Team Roj, bringing together students and local players. With chants of Ashti (Peace), Birati (Brotherhood), Wekhevi (Equality), Dadmendi (Justice) echoing from the crowd, the game became more than a match—it was a declaration.

The final score didn’t matter as much as what happened after: both teams received a “Peace Cup”, and dozens of residents came forward to share messages of unity. “We may cheer for different teams,” one player said, “but we all want the same thing—peace for our home.”

On World Peace Day, September 21, both Tirbespi and Qamishlo saw emotional Peace Walks through the cities’ streets.

In Tirbespi, children led the way—one little girl carried a dove in a basket, while a boy handed out roses with a note:

“Many said injustice is cruel, and war is devastating. But nothing lasts forever—let us unite for peace and change the course of time.”

At the end of the march, a student unveiled a painting of a dove. Participants—young and old, from all communities—dipped their fingers in blue ink and placed their thumbprints on the sky of the painting. “You won’t know which fingerprint belongs to whom,” said the artist. “That’s what peace means: no divisions, just unity.”

As part of the campaign’s broader mission, DOZ Syria hosted a mental health seminar on September 30 in Qamishlo. Led by Professor Aziz Hassan from the University of Aleppo, the session tackled the silent wounds of war—stress, anxiety, and fear—and introduced psychological tools to help students and community members begin healing.

The workshop ended with a short guided relaxation session—a moment of collective calm in a region long deprived of peace.

On September 22, DOZ Syria held a final Peace Day celebration in Tirbespi. The courtyard filled with poetry, music, and theater. A young girl sang of sorrow and resilience, while children performed a play about war and hope. Tears flowed, but so did applause and smiles.

At the end, the event hosts asked one question:

“With whom did you make peace in 2014?”

It wasn’t rhetorical—it was personal. People answered aloud, some mentioning neighbors, some mentioning themselves. For many, it was the beginning of something new.

The Peace One Day 2014 campaign was a mosaic of action: small but powerful gestures across towns scarred by war. It taught children to dream again. It reminded adults of what unity felt like. It gave artists a space to shine. It proved that even in a collapsing world, peace is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

As John Lennon once said:

“Imagine all the people living life in peace... You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

Thanks to DOZ Syria and the youth of 2014, we know now: Dreamers build the future.

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