COVINGTON, Ga. - Montessori School of Covington students held their annual Peace Pole Ceremony to celebrate the International Day of Peace Friday.

The students sang four songs - "Peace Before Us," "This Pretty Planet," "Colors of the Wind" and "Light a Candle for Peace" - and made a peace pledge in front of their teachers and family members.

The ceremony concluded with students making a pledge to be peaceful by submerging their hand in water and touching the Peace Pole. 

The International Day of Peace is observed worldwide Saturday, Sept. 21. 

This year, the theme is "Climate Action for Peace."

"The theme draws attention to the importance of combatting climate change as a way to protect and promote peace throughout the world," according to the United Nations International Day of Peace. "Climate change causes clear threats to international peace and security. Natural disasters displace three times as many people as conflicts, forcing millions to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere."

The salinization of water and crops is endangering food security, and the impact on public health is escalating. The growing tensions over resources and mass movements of people are affecting every country on every continent. Peace can only be achieved if concrete action is taken to combat climate change."