Dayton: A Peace Process (DAPP), in cooperation with Interfaith Ministries for Reconciliation and the Dayton International Peace Museum, will celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords beginning Monday, Sept. 26.

In 1995, the Dayton Peace Accords were negotiated to end the siege of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The series of peace talks including the leaders of Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia lasted 20 days, according to a document released by DAPP. The agreement was signed in Paris a month later.

'In recognition of the historical importance of what occurred that day, the people of Dayton have sought to make peace in the Balkans a reality,' the document says. 'As a result, a special relationship between Dayton and Sarajevo has developed, and leaders and citizens from these two very different communities began to build a relationship that can serve as a model of international cooperation in the spirit of peace.'

DAPP is an outgrowth of the Dayton Peace Accords, according to Gary Percesepe, chair of the DAPP Interfaith Committee.

It was founded by the Dayton Council on World Affairs, the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College, University of Dayton, Wright State University, Wright Memorial Chapter of the Air Force Association, Friendship Force, Sister Cities and many other Dayton and Miami Valley-based associations.

'DAPP wants to nurture the healing side of religion over the violent side,' Percesepe said. 'This prayer breakfast is designed to make the world and our community safer for religious differences by establishing trust and building relationships.'

The Interface Legacy Prayer Breakfast is one of three events sponsored by DAPP. At this breakfast, Linda Katz will play the cello in honor of the people of Sarajevo and of Vedran Smailovic, the 'Cellist of Sarajevo.' Ray Two Crows Wallen and Alicia Pag??n are also set to perform.

Desmond Tutu, former archbishop of South Africa, will lead an interfaith worship service at 3 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Masonic Temple. On Nov. 14, the Rev. James L. Heft, University of Dayton chancellor and professor, will moderate a 'Religious Roundtable on Reconciliation' at Beth Abraham Synagogue.

'These religious events are meant for people of every faith tradition,' Percesepe stated. 'We are inviting all to come forward and establish relationships between religions that will make for a safer world.'

Along with these events, the Dayton Peace Prize will be awarded to Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and chief negotiator of the Dayton Peace Accords. It will be presented at a 7:30 p.m. dinner Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Schuster Center. According to Percesepe, this award represents the level of peace DAPP is trying to promote.

'The Dayton Peace Prize is granted to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to peace in the past ten years,' Percesepe said. 'Past recipients include Bishop Desmond Tutu, President Bill Clinton and George Soros.'

DAPP strives to better understand and explore options for dealing with countries involved in war and violence. It also attempts to present conflict-management methods and contribute to the rebuilding of areas devastated by war.

'We want to make folks more aware of the great heritage in this city,' Percesepe stated. 'When the people in Bosnia hear the name Dayton, they associate it with awe and reverence. We want the same level of awe associated with peace here at home. This is our goal with DAPP.'

An Interfaith Legacy Prayer Breakfast kicks off the celebration at 7:30 a.m. in Building 12 of Sinclair College's Ponitz Center Great Hall. It is free and open to the public. Reservations can be made by emailing Mea Greenwood at mea.greenwood@notes.udayton.edu or by calling (937) 229-3557.