BY JAMIE ROMM Staff Writer

Middletown's George Anthony met with renowned primatologist Jane Goodall and other dignitaries as part of the United Nation's International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

MIDDLETOWN - Township resident George Anthony traveled to New York City along with actor Michael Douglas, Elie Weisel, Jane Goodall and Princess Haya of Jordan.

Anthony was there to attend the International Day of Peace that is held by the United Nations every year on Sept. 21. Though not speaking at this year's event, Anthony listened to prestigious keynote speakers such as Goodall and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon talk about different forms of peace.

Students from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and Lebanon also spoke at the conference to share stories of life in their countries. Douglas talked about the importance of dismantling the world's surplus of nuclear weapons, while Weisel spoke about the importance of understanding universal suffering.

Anthony was a guest speaker at the conference in 2004 regarding the use of sports in brokering peace between countries. He agreed with the sentiments of all of this year's speakers, mentioning Dr. Weisel as one of the most memorable.

"He spoke about the idea in connecting our suffering," Anthony said. "Our human stories of pain and struggle and in overcoming the obstacles of conflict are touching. But unless we are not personally connected to each of our stories, then that effect is a temporary one."

Anthony is the director of Peace Dynamics, a company that offers counselors to help with peer mediation and community relations.

Having the students from the African countries speak to the American students in the crowd was another endeavor that Anthony felt was a step in the right direction toward peace.

"In bringing together our voices, we then can speak to the world, or even our communities, about the people who live in this world and learn about their search and desire to live in peace," Anthony said. "Our news is always so focused on governments and their quest for peace or war, when really it is the human story that needs to be told."

Anthony appreciates what the U.N. is doing with the conference but stressed that this is only the beginning of a larger plan.

"The International Day of Peace always is a starting point for students in their quest in becoming global citizens," Anthony said.