Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States: International City of Peace
We welcome the citizens and organizations of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States that have collaborated to establish their town as an International City of Peace.
The Liaison for two-way communication between the member City of Peace, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and the association of International Cities of Peace is Frances Jeffries for Bridgewater MA USA International City of Peace Working Group.
The town has a large peacebuilding community, including many individuals, groups, and civic leadership. Many of the organizations are listed and detailed below.
Note: Introduction page with information primarily at the time of joining International Cities of Peace. For updates, please contact the liaison.
Mission and Purpose of Bridgewater International City of Peace Working Group
The purpose of Bridgewater becoming an International City of Peace is for the individual groups to be more accessible as resources for the community, to address specific issues as they may arise, and to better coordinate our activities.
By working together, these community groups will benefit the entire Bridgewater community by expanding its positive reputation and establishing itself as a diversified and inclusive community. with the ability to address conflicts for constructive change beneficial to all concerned.
PARTICIPANTS
Each participating organization is listed and described below. Additional information is included in the Appendix.
Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters is one of approximately 46,000 clubs of the Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. The Club will convene the Bridgewater Working Group for ICP.
Bridgewater Communities for Civil Right (BCCR) https://www.bccrcivilrights.org/ is a community-based organization dedicated to educating residents and the greater community about the value of diversity, the richness of cultural differences, and the sanctity of human rights.
Bridgewater Public Library’s mission is to educate, inform, enrich and inspire through innovative opportunities that enrich the lives of Bridgewater residents. It is a center for information and discovery that inspires curiosity and leads to learning experiences for patrons of all ages.
The Minnock Institute for Global Engagement (MIGE) at Bridgewater State University is the hub of international education on campus. Committed to creating a learning environment where students and faculty from around the world interact with our own, the Offices of Global Programs, International Student Services, and Study Abroad coordinate and provide opportunities to the BSU community for academic programs, travel, research, and community service.
The mission of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is to build knowledge about social justice, to develop skills for advancing social justice through individual and collective action, and to serve as a catalyst for actualizing BSU’s commitment to social justice.
The mission of Diversity and Inclusion for Community Empowerment (DICE) is for all residents and children to experience a strong sense of community through the understanding and appreciation of the differences and similarities that make up our cities and towns.
The mission of First Parish (UU), Bridgewater is to be a voice for the liberal religious values and principles of Unitarian Universalism in the community.
What We Will Do
The organizations are enthusiastic about the opportunity to work together under the umbrella and new identity as an International City of Peace. During 2022 we plan to:
- prepare with the Town Council and publicize a proclamation for the Bridgewater International City of Peace;
- support the Juneteenth Celebration led by BCCR;
- plan and present the International Day of Peace/International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons celebration, “Peace in Bridgewater and Beyond” led by Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters;
- learn from other International Cities of Peace;
- and support the various webinars and other events organized by the member groups.
The working group will be convened and led by the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters.
The above activities will be in addition to the many civic services provided by each group individually or in collaboration with others.
The Town of Bridgewater is eager to become an International City of Peace in order to better ensure people’s rights to safety, prosperity, and quality of life, the consensus values of peace and the benefits of peaceful societies.
ABOUT THE LIAISON
Frances Jeffries
for Bridgewater, MA, USA International City of Peace Working Group
Frances Jeffries will serve as Liaison for the Town of Bridgewater to International Cities of Peace. She has been an active member of each of the several communities which she has called home, settling for the past 25 years in Bridgewater MA USA.
She is a member of the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters and is also a Rotary Peace Fellow.
Both in her professional life and in volunteer work, she has brought groups together to build stronger and more equitable communities. In Bridgewater, Frances has served as a Library Trustee, a member of the Board of Registrars and of the School Study Committee. Her passion for peace and social justice are shared by the members of the International Cities of Peace Working Group.
CONTACT INFORMATION
ABOUT the Town of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA, on lands of the Wampanoag
Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA was founded in 1656 and has evolved from a community known for rivers linking the region, early shipbuilding, metal works and farming to a town connected to the region, nation and world through its increasingly diverse population and through Bridgewater State University founded in 1840. It is situated on the land of the Wampanoag.
The community has enjoyed a reputation for being a “nice” place to live, one which “has no problems.” In recent years, those living in Bridgewater have become increasingly aware of violations of human rights in the world, in the United States and even in our own community. We saw the need to inform ourselves, to understand the issues more thoroughly, and to develop and promote responses in our community. Some new groups were formed to address these, while existing organizations refocused their activities.
APPENDIX
Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters
Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters is one of approximately 46,000 clubs of the Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; addressing maternal and childhood health; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment.
The mission of Rotary, including the Bridgewaters Club, is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Rotary International affirms its commitment to exemplify and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all that it does. To ensure we live up to that ideal, the Board of Directors and our DEI Taskforce strengthened the DEI statement originally adopted in 2019. The result is in a new worldwide commitment, also adopted by the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters:
At Rotary, we understand that cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to realizing our vision of a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
We value diversity and celebrate the contributions of people of all backgrounds, across age, ethnicity, race, color, disability, learning style, religion, faith, socioeconomic status, culture, marital status, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity as well as differences in ideas, thoughts, values, and beliefs.
Recognizing that individuals from certain groups have historically experienced barriers to membership, participation, and leadership, we commit to advancing equity in all aspects of Rotary, including in our community partnerships, so that each person has the necessary access to resources, opportunities, networks, and support to thrive.
We believe that all people hold visible and invisible qualities that inherently make them unique, and we strive to create an inclusive culture where each person knows they are valued and belong.
In line with our value of integrity, we are committed to being honest and transparent about where we are in our DEI journey as an organization, and to continuing to learn and do better.
The Bridgewaters Rotary Club provides information for its participants through speakers and discussion, and also participates in a number of service projects. In September 2020, the Club developed, coordinated and promoted a community-wide series of events beginning with the International Day of Peace and concluding with the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. “Peace in Bridgewater and Beyond” focused on a variety of topics, including a presentation about the International Cities of Peace program. The participants in that program suggested that we explore the idea for our community. A copy of that program is in the Attachments section of this letter.
Bridgewater Communities for Civil Rights (BCCR)
BCCR https://www.bccrcivilrights.org/ is a community-based organization dedicated to educating residents and the greater community about the value of diversity, the richness of cultural differences, and the sanctity of human rights. The group believes that all people want a place in their community, for themselves and their family, where they feel, safe, heard, and valued.
BCCR’s community work is guided by the following tenets:
- Compassion
- Teamwork
- Empowerment
- Accountability
- Action
- Collaboration
- Advocacy
BCCR’s four pillars are:
- Education—discussions, forums, lectures, speakers, bystander training, and standouts
- Mobilization—for social and racial justice
- Creating networks—with individuals, institutions, and other community groups
- Influencing all levels of government—speaking out and advocating policy change
Bridgewater Public Library
The mission of the Bridgewater Public Library is to educate, inform, enrich and inspire. Its vision is to create innovative opportunities that enrich the lives of Bridgewater residents as a center for information and discovery that inspires curiosity and leads to learning experiences for patrons of all ages.
The Bridgewater Public Library is a Massachusetts State Certified library, providing residents access to 59 million items beyond our single library. The Library is also a member of the SAILS network of libraries which expands the resources available to residents to include the collections of over 70 area libraries.
The Bridgewater Public Library lends books, periodicals, audio CDs, DVDs, passes to museums, and many other items, and also offers many events, programs, and lectures for all ages throughout the year. Eight public computers for adults and two public computers for children are available for use, as well as free WiFi.
The Trustees of the Bridgewater Public Library are elected for three-year terms by voters in the Town of Bridgewater. The following is a statement from the Trustees condemning violence and racism and encouraging community input on how to build up and support the statement with actions.
A Statement from the Bridgewater Public Library Trustees, Bridgewater MA
The Bridgewater Public Library Trustees stand with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) in condemning violence and racism towards Black people and all People of Color. We condemn the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and many others before them. We stand with the Black community, our hearts aching for a country so divided by racial injustice, arrogance, and hatred. It’s hard not to be sad, not to be angry, and to remain hopeful.
As public officials it is our duty to be instruments of change and bring about changes for a fair and just society. And, as stated in the town charter “the library trustees …insure that members of the Bridgewater community have the right and means to free and open access to information and ideas. The library protects intellectual freedom, promotes literacy and encourages life-long learning”. As such everyone is welcome at Bridgewater Public Library. The Library is committed to nurturing a safe space for people to connect, learn, and grow with each other. Differing beliefs and opinions are respected.
This is a start, but we recognize there is more to do. As a Public Library organization, we will look inward and examine our practices and identify where and how we can do better and be better. And we will reach out to our diverse community to see how we can be of greater service—and take action.
Bridgewater State University, Dr. Edward W. Minnock Institute for Global Engagement (MIGE)
The Minnock Institute for Global Engagement (MIGE) is the hub of international education on campus. Committed to creating a learning environment where students and faculty from around the world interact with our own, the Offices of Global Programs, International Student Services, and Study Abroad coordinate and provide opportunities to the BSU community for academic programs, travel, research, and community service.
As a regional comprehensive university with a strategic global vision, we have distinguished ourselves with strong historical connections with Canada, Ireland, China, and Japan, and our capacity-building partnerships in Belize, Cambodia, Cape Verde and Jordan. Our partnerships with universities and organizations all over the world exchange learning and knowledge production with faculty and students through rigorous academic endeavors and ethical community engagement.
Student exchanges in study abroad and international student enrollment focus on transformative learning experiences and commitment to tackling global issues. Academic events and experiential learning on campus provide ample opportunities for students to engage with visiting speakers on global topics from the government, academia, think-tanks, community organizations, artists and activists. In the future, virtual exchange for global learning will feature more prominently in expanding opportunities for academic research, curricular learning and education abroad. We pledge to renew our commitment to support our students and the larger campus community in affirming our values of global engagement. We hope that our efforts can contribute to the pursuit of a more ethical, just, and peaceful world community.
Here are just a few of the many engaging programs and partnerships represented by the MIGE.
Bridgewater State University, Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice
The mission of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is to build knowledge about social justice, to develop skills for advancing social justice through individual and collective action, and to serve as a catalyst for actualizing BSU’s commitment to social justice.
At BSU, we believe that social justice requires individual and collective action to ensure fairness in pursuit of opportunities, freedom from oppression and the equitable distribution of resources. Fairness, freedom from oppression and equitable distribution of resources are all grounded in the same basic principle: that all human beings have equal dignity and worth.
The MRISJ offers a variety of student learning, faculty involvement, and community engagement activities focused on social justice, racial justice, and civic engagement.
Major MRISJ programs include:
Civic Speaker Series – We host speakers, panels, and discussions about critical issues affecting our society and offer ways for students to make positive change.
MLK Series – This annual series of events inspires services and provide education on issues of social justice to honor and build on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The series includes a service project, film viewings and discussions, children’s story times, and guest speakers.
Community Service – The MRISJ offers three annual day of service events (in September, January, and April) and local service projects throughout the academic year. These events aim to encourage volunteerism and enhance connections to the community. The photos below are of two service days in fall 2021, one packing meals, and one assisting at a community farm.
Diversity and Inclusion for Community Empowerment (DICE)
http://www.dicemassachusetts.com
Founded in 2019 in Massachusetts, Diversity and Inclusion for Community Empowerment (DICE) is a network of individuals and community groups committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in local cities and towns. We foster the exchange of ideas, challenge each other to think in new ways, and provide support for members to take action in our evolving communities. Together we can address systemic issues, raise cultural awareness, and celebrate diversity as a part of everyday life.
Our mission is for all residents and children to experience a strong sense of community through the understanding and appreciation of the differences and similarities that make up our cities and towns.
Our vision is to create inclusive communities where people from all backgrounds – particularly our youth – can live, thrive, and succeed.
DICE helps raise cultural awareness and celebration through listening, engagement, programming and community connection for residents, young people, educators, and community leaders.
Public Education Support (K-12)
DICE promotes cultural compassion and diversity so that students feel accepted and included, educators are supported, and administrators are equipped to foster a learning environment for all to succeed.
Group Member Empowerment
DICE is an inclusive group to help learn, challenge ourselves and each other, exchange ideas, feel empowered to execute on ideas, and mobilize in positive ways in our communities to help instill diversity and inclusion as the everyday norm.
Local Government Participation
DICE serves as a communication and connection point to help understand priorities of local government, initiatives that pertain to diversity and inclusion, and how residents can learn and actively participate through attendance and volunteerism.
First Parish (UU), Bridgewater
The mission of First Parish Church is to be a voice for the liberal religious values and principles of Unitarian Universalism in the community. A variety of viewpoints are encouraged in the services, religious education programs and community events. Our congregation traces its roots back to the early history of the Town of Bridgewater. Through an act of the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, permission was granted to English settlers to establish a new precinct known as South Parish. This precinct was incorporated June 1, 1716. Our present church building, built in 1845, is the third one on this site.
The congregation holds many events throughout the year, including Fourth of July Festivities as part of a town-wide observance of the holiday, our special Celebration of Peace Vigil Weekend in conjunction with the U.N. International Day of Peace in late September, a Holly Day Artisan Faire, a Christmas Candlelight Service on December 23, monthly meetings of the T“UU”rning Leaves Book Club, and monthly vespers.
First Parish is a Welcoming Congregation, recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means that we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life – in worship, in program, and in social occasions – welcoming them as whole people.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations. It is held every year on or near September 21. As a way of observing this Day, many peace-based Non- Governmental Organizations and individuals representing a wide variety of religious and spiritual traditions encourage worldwide 24 hour spiritual observations, nonviolence and global ceasefire on this date.
The Bridgewater Celebration for Peace began in Sept. 2005 as a 24 hour Peace Vigil. It was organized by members of First Parish Church of Bridgewater and Citizens for an Informed Community, a local peace advocacy organization at that time. The mission was to work for peace locally and globally.
Other churches in Bridgewater and the area were invited to participate. These early vigils included spiritual practices from Buddhist, Hindu and Native American traditions as well as those of participating churches. A Peace Pole with plaques proclaiming “Let Peace Prevail on Earth” in several languages was placed on the front lawn of the church. Opening and Closing ceremonies were held there.
After the first few vigils, the group decided to expand to more of a Celebration for Peace as a way to engage broader participation. Over the years several traditions have arisen. Children and adults have gathered to create crafts and art work promoting peace – pinwheels, pennants and banners. These were then carried in a Peace Procession around the center of Bridgewater led by a large Peace Dove carried by four bearers. Several stops were made along the way for readings about peace from many traditions. This was often followed by the children playing Cooperative Games. At various times there have been plays such as “Sadako and the Thousand Cranes”, Dances for Peace at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church in Bridgewater, and a Fire of Forgiveness ceremony. In the past few years activities also included a musical program “Playing for Peace”.
Starting with the Sixth Annual Celebration by the Peace Committee, First Parish worked in conjunction with Bridgewater State University (BSU) Department of Community and University Development for several years. One year they held a Round Table Discussion on “World Peace in Thirty Years – How Do We Get There from Here?” International students participated in the Peace Pole Ceremonies, the BSU Diversity Department led a program on “Peace through Diversity” and a Communications Department professor produced a video on the “Right to Peace”.
In 2016 it was decided to change the format for the celebrations to seasonal programs at the church. The main program continues to be the worship service on the Sunday closest to Sept. 21. The other services have varied in style and content, including meditation programs and presentations about world peace leaders. Our most recent September 2021 service began at our Peace Pole and was part of the “Peace in Bridgewater and Beyond” program, organized by the Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters.
Through all this evolution, we have kept a commitment to seeking for peace in the heart, the home and the world.
The current members of the church Peace Vigil Committee are Neill Anderson, Diane Breen, Vernon Domingo, Betty Gilson, Edward Hart, Lisa Rue and Lisa Troy.
Note: If information or photos used here are copyrighted, please contact us and we will immediately delete the copyrighted material.
