As part of this year’s One World Week (17-24 October), Aik Saath, in association with Peace Direct, are organising an afternoon event at Baylis House. It will incorporate dancing, food, the experiences of one extraordinary school from India and the launch of a new initiative .

City Montessori, with over 27,000 students, is the biggest school in the world. When the Ayodhya Mosque was destroyed in 1992, violence and death occurred throughout the state of Uttar Pradesh, of which Lucknow is the capital city. In the capital, however, because of the initiative of the school, no one was killed. The Head Master of the school, Mr Gandhi, another senior teacher and two pupils will be sharing some of their experiences with us.

Slough Community Relations Partnership will also be launched at the event. A new initiative dedicated to:

• Bringing together strategic partners and young people to effectively promote a more cohesive local community.

• Proactively monitoring and evaluating current and potential hazards and agreeing timely and constructive responses.

Below is an outline of the day’s events and further information regarding City Montessori. The event takes place on 22 nd October 2004, at Baylis House. Directions to Baylis House can be found at http://www.baylishouse.co.uk/directions.htm .

PLACES ARE LIMITED- CONTACT US NOW TO AVOID DISAPOINTMENT

12.30 – 13.00 Opening of Session:

• Welcome
• Explanation of the Lucknow-UK Dialogues
• Introduction to One World Week
• Introduction & background to conflict in Slough (by Aik Saath)

13.00 - 13.30 Conflict Prevention Initiatives (By Slough Race Equality Council/ Aik Saath/ Thames Valley Police)

13.30 – 14.15 L U N C H

14.15 – 14.30 Performance / Entertainment

14.30 – 15.00 Launch of Slough Community Relations Partnership

15.00 – 15.45 The Lucknow Team talk about their experiences

15.45 – 16.30 Entertainment / Refreshments / Networking

The Lucknow Team and the City Montessori School

Mr Jagdish Gandhi together with his wife established the City Montessori School (CMS) in 1959. In 1969, Mr Gandhi was elected Member of the State Legislative Assembly from Sikandra Rao Assembly Constituency of District Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. For several years Mr Gandhi used to convene the All India Children's Conference annually to highlight the importance of children's issues and to infuse in them the spirit of brotherhood, community living, cooperation and spiritual values. In 1974 Mr Gandhi successfully organised an International Youth Conference on ‘World Peace Through Education’ in London.

City Montessori, with over 27000 students, is the biggest school in the world. Their experience is extraordinary. When the Ayodhya Mosque was destroyed in 1992, violence and death occurred throughout the state of Uttar Pradesh, of which Lucknow is the capital city. In the capital, however, because of the initiative of the school, no one was killed. Religious leaders were invited to the school each evening to agree an interfaith statement designed to calm the violence; students and parents then toured the city with loudspeakers proclaiming theses messages of tolerance.

Ms Weqar Bano Shamama , M.A., B.Ed, teaches Economics to grade XII. She is also the Vice Principal of Chowk branch of CMS and has been with CMS since 1986.

Mr Alok Kumar Dutt and Mr Kiri Atri are grade XI students and have been in CMS since the start of their schooling .