In an activity similar to the G-20 summit scheduled for tomorrow and Friday, about 70 people of all ages, faiths and nationalities gathered in one place Sunday at North Park. But while economics will be the main focus at the David Lawrence Convention Center, world peace was the focus at the Point Grove picnic.

This was the first year the North Hills Peace Festival was held as a picnic, rather than as a meeting with a speaker. The convention of world leaders was in the thoughts and prayers of picnickers, however, when they ended the 2009 International Day of Peace Festival with a "oneness prayer."

"We are all one -- one people, one world, one planet, one spirit. We support and encourage peaceful, creative collaboration at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh and in interactions large and small across the planet …" the group prayed.

Candlelight illuminated faces as they sang and prayed.

"Pray the 'oneness prayer' during the G-20 so that the leaders of our country will work for the economic goodness of all," said Theresa Orlando, of the North Hills Anti-Racism Coalition. The Shaler woman's group joined North Hills People for Peace, the North Hills/McKnight chapter of the American Association of University Women, the Baha'i Community, North Hills Ebony Women Inc. and the Indian Cultural Association of Pittsburgh to sponsor the event, an annual celebration of the United Nations' International Day of Peace held Sept. 21 all over the world.

The G-20 is the Group of 20, leaders from industrialized and emerging market nations, and includes members of the European Union, the United States, Canada, Russia, China and Saudi Arabia.

Mary Sheehan, of McCandless, chairwoman and co-founder of Pittsburgh North People for Peace, explained that although the G-20 will focus on economics, specific things on its agenda, such as poverty in the world, reforming the World Bank and addressing the needs of poorer countries, will also aid the cause of world peace.

"The goal of the International Day of Peace is to build understanding and relationships among people in hundreds of countries around the world," she said. "Our goal and those of the G-20 go nicely together. I don't think the message is clear to most of us in the public."

For this reason, Mrs. Sheehan sees even the demonstrations planned for this week as a positive thing. "Protesting is a way for people to share their concerns about the disparity between the rich and the poor," she said. "It's a positive was to communicate our dissent or satisfaction with the world. Taking a positive approach encourages people to really focus on what goes on at the meeting, too. Unfortunately, I think the disruptions in everyone's lives are taking the forefront right now."

Peace and togetherness took the spotlight at the festival Sunday afternoon. The children made flags from around the world and performed in a skit about overcoming prejudices so that two groups of youngsters could play together.

Awards were given to youngsters who won art and essay contests sponsored by the University Women. The theme was: "What can I do to bring peace to my school," and was open to children in any school district. Northland, Shaler North Hills and Millvale public libraries promoted the contest.

First-place winner Delaney Beaver, an eighth-grader at Ingomar Middle School, suggested painting a wall in her school white and allowing students to paint messages of peace on it in any color of the rainbow.

Alex Stauff, a sixth-grader at Shaler Area Elementary School, won second prize by writing about encouraging peace and discouraging bullying, including cyber bullying.

Honorable mention winner Jahee Cho, an eighth-grader at North Allegheny Middle School, suggested inviting trusted adults and peers to prevent bullying and promote peace in his school.

Third-grader Alyssa McClelland, of Seville School in the North Hills School District, won the art contest with her picture of a singing bird at the feeder in her neighbor's yard: "It's what makes me feel peaceful," she said.

The children joined with teens and adults to learn a ballet, hear Indian music and share food in an atmosphere of tranquility along the lake in North Park.

Brenda Davis, of Ross, a 12-year member of the Anti-Racism Coalition, summed up the close of summer : "The festival lets us come together with residents of different cultures, races and religions. It's just a nice gathering. We forget what a wonderful world we share and it's nice to come together to share food and fun in an atmosphere of peace."