Bermudians have been invited to gather in solidarity tomorrow, to hear a special address by South African activist and retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

The Nobel Peace Prize recipient will broadcast a live global interview on FM89, starting at 2pm, in advance of Sunday’s International Day of Peace.

The group Imagine Bermuda has called for residents to gather and reflect at St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church at 1.55pm, just before the start of Archbishop Tutu’s talk.

The event will commence with an opening prayer by Canon Thomas Nisbett, followed by “sitting together and reflecting on the thoughts expressed live by Archbishop Tutu”, Imagine Bermuda organiser Glenn Fubler said.

“The reason we’re holding it there is that back in the very challenging times of the 1981 labour dispute, that was the site where lunchtime prayer vigils were held,” Mr Fubler added.

Both Canon Nisbett and the late Reverend Larry Lowe took part in the vigils. Mr Fubler said the event “proved key in maintaining a situation where that dispute could be resolved peacefully”.

Mr Fubler said tomorrow’s discussion would include reflections on “what’s happening with our community and our young people” — and would be followed in about two weeks by a second gathering to discuss “the significance of what was shared by Archbishop Tutu, who is a global exemplar — and what we can learn from his experience”.

To promote “a community conversation on peace”, Imagine Bermuda is also inviting prominent local figures to contribute their thoughts on the theme ‘What Peace Means to Me’, to be shared via the media.

Starting in 1982, the United Nations set a September date aside as the International Day of Peace; it has been commemorated on September 21 since 2001.

“The day is geared to look at peace on all levels of the human family,” Mr Fubler said. “Given the very current global challenges that impact international stability, in Iraq and Ukraine among others, this observance is indeed timely.

“That said, recent events indicate that Bermuda isn’t ‘another world’. The unfortunate incident that occurred near Ord Road last week demonstrates the need for closer collaboration on the part of all sectors, to strengthen the fabric of our society to foster peace.”