Peace Is Possible: Boulder Comes Together for Peace Weeks 2026
September 13–27, 2026 | Boulder, Colorado
At UNA Boulder, we believe peace is more than an idea discussed in distant capitals. It is something communities build—through dialogue, education, cooperation, and the willingness to bring people with different perspectives into the same room.
That is why we are excited to take part in Boulder Builds Peace Initiative’s 2026 Peace Weeks, taking place September 13–27 in celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21.
This year's theme, “Peace is Possible,” feels particularly timely. And Boulder is giving us plenty of ways to explore what that phrase can mean in practice.
Two Weeks of Ideas, People, Music and Community
Organized by the Boulder Rotary Club and the Peace by 2030 Initiative, Peace Weeks brings together nonprofits, civic organizations, faith communities, educators, businesses and individuals working to create a more peaceful world—right here in Boulder.
And it isn't simply a series of lectures.
The program includes keynote speakers, panel discussions, music, dance, art, community gatherings and the Peace Faire. In other words, there should be plenty of opportunities to learn something new, meet interesting people, discover organizations doing meaningful work, and have some fun along the way.
For UNA Boulder, that combination is especially appealing. The United Nations is ultimately about bringing people together to tackle problems that no country can solve alone. Peace Weeks offers a wonderful local expression of that same idea.
A Conversation About Whether Peace Really Is Possible
One of the events we're especially looking forward to is the “Peace is Possible” keynote on September 17, featuring Tonni Ann Brodber, Head of Secretariat of the UN Peace and Humanitarian Fund in New York.
The evening will also include refreshments and a panel discussion with peace experts.
Thursday, September 17
5:00–8:00 PM
CU Boulder Chancellor's Auditorium, Case West Building
1725 Euclid Ave.
FREE — no registration required
For anyone interested in the UN, international affairs, humanitarian action or conflict resolution, this should be a fascinating opportunity to hear directly from someone working at the international level.
Celebrating Those Who Build Peace
On September 18, Boulder Rotary will present its 8th Annual Jim Swaeby Peace Award, recognizing an individual whose name will be added to the peace monument at Boulder's Infinite Walk of Peace.
The luncheon's speaker will be Ambassador Douglas Gardner, former UN Resident Coordinator for Ukraine.
Friday, September 18
12:00–1:30 PM
6007 Oreg Ave., Boulder
Guests are welcome, with registration available for those who would like to attend the luncheon.
Then Come Say Hello at the Peace Faire
Perhaps the most Boulder event of the whole series is the Peace Faire on September 19.
Held next to the Boulder Farmers' Market in Boulder Creek Park, the Faire will bring together dozens of local nonprofits, businesses and individuals showcasing their work to build peace.
Saturday, September 19
11:00 AM–3:00 PM
Boulder Creek Park
FREE
With roughly 45 exhibitors already registered, expect a lively afternoon of conversations, ideas and activities. Wander through the booths, meet local organizations, learn about ways to get involved—and enjoy the Farmers' Market and the park while you're there.
We'll be looking forward to seeing many familiar faces from Boulder's international and civic community.
Why UNA Boulder Is Excited
Peace can sometimes sound like an enormous, abstract goal: ending wars, resolving conflicts and building international cooperation.
But initiatives like Boulder Builds Peace remind us that peace also starts much closer to home.
It starts when people sit down together. When students learn about the world beyond their borders. When communities listen to perspectives they don't always hear. When organizations discover that they share common goals. And when people decide that creating a more peaceful future is worth working toward—even when the path isn't easy.
That's a message that resonates strongly with UNA Boulder and with the United Nations' broader mission.
So we're encouraging our members, supporters and friends to get out, participate, ask questions, meet people and enjoy Peace Weeks.
Come for a keynote. Stay for a panel. Visit the Peace Faire. Listen to some music. Discover a local organization you've never heard of. Bring a friend.
And perhaps most importantly, come ready to consider the question at the heart of this year's celebration:
What would it take to make peace possible?
We hope to see you there.
Learn More
The full Peace Weeks schedule and event details are available through Boulder Rotary's Peace Weeks program.
Most events are free and open to the public.
Peace Weeks is co-sponsored by the University of Colorado Peace, Conflict & Security Program, the Peace by 2030 Initiative, the City of Boulder Parks & Recreation Department and Naropa University, with additional support from KGNU and PostNet of Longmont.
