May Peace Prevail On Earth News

June 8-10, 2011

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and human rights along with fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter.

L to R: Mr. Hiroo Saionji, President of the Goi Peace Foundation and President of WPPS, Mrs Bokova, UNESCO Director General and Mrs. Masami Saionji, Chairperson of the Goi Peace Foundation and Chairperson of WPPS.

Mr. Hiroo Saionji, President of the Goi Peace Foundation and Mrs. Masami Saionji, Chairperson of the Goi Peace Foundation were invited as keynote speakers.

Staff of the Goi Peace Foundation and WPPS: L to R: Tatsuru Nakayama, Mrs. Masami Saionji, Patrick Petit, Dagmar Berkenberg, Mr. Hiroo Saionji, Masami Miyazaki, Nicole Cressiot and Yashio Mochizuki

The 7-sided Peace Pole that was presented to the Director General of UNESCO on October 20th was delivered to UNESCO Headquarters for the week of the 7th Annual UNESCO Youth forum.

The UNESCO Youth Program closed with a World Peace Flag Ceremony.
May Peace Prevail On Earth!

September 30th, 2011

Peace Pole planting inspired by Chandra Fernando, Montessori Educator and Peace Advocate.

Languages placed on the Peace Pole are:
English, French, Spanish, Cherokee, Hebrew, Arabic, German, Chinese

October-2011

Peace Pole dedication party for the Peace Pole and new office opening in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii.

Best wishes and Aloha,

William J. Spencer
Pangaea Group, Inc.
700 Village Road
Kapalua, Maui HI 96761

August-2011

We are so happy to send you photographs of our peace activity.

Peace Mountain in Kojsovska Hola Peak is 23 kilometers from Kosice in East Slovakia.

During this anniversary ceremony we unveiled a “remembrance stone” in loving memory for victims of the tsunami in Japan.

Sending you infinite Peace, infinite Light and infinite Love, from Peace Mountain and from every one of us here in Slovakia.

Humatrend NGO Slovakia, Kosice

Klara Hodnicova

March, 19th 2011

Mr. Keiji Koezuka donated a Peace Pole to Himeji Peace Museum in Himeji City which is located in the Kansai region of Japan.
The museum was built to teach people the preciousness of “Peace.”

Mr. Koezuka met with Mr. Kouji Nagai, President of Himeji Peace Museum, regarding the Peace Pole Project. Mr. Nagai graciously accepted the Peace Pole.
Mr. Koezuka and colleagues received congratulatory messages from Mr. Takaaki Matsumoto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Hiroaki Sugimoto, Vice Chairperson of Himeji City Council.

It was with great honor for Mr. Keiji Koezuka to add the Iconic Universal Peace Pole monument to the collection at the Himeji Peace Museum.

May Peace Prevail On Earth!

Respectfully,
Keiji Koezuka

August 5th, 2011

The bell was most impressive and Holy Family Church was right across the street. Their bells were also ringing at 7:15 PM to link with Hiroshima.

May Peace Prevail on Earth,

Monica Willard,
Peace Representative for The World Peace Prayer Society and
United Religions Initiative
United Nations NGO Representative
www.uri.org

The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.

August 1st, 2011

Members of URI CC “Euro-Asia” were invited to the Center of Day Social Services in Novosibirsk, Siberia.

The Children’s Program is to prominent, especially during summer months.

Galina Ermolina and another member of URI CC went to the Center with the World Flags Card set to facilitate a World Peace Flag Ceremony with children and staff.

First, Galina engaged the children in dialogue by posing the question, “what does it mean to actually live in peace?” It was a good discussion; the children had much to share.

Then they closed with songs, followed by the World Peace Flag Ceremony. They were all very impressed!

The children and their teachers have invited them to return to facilitate another WPFC and Peace program in the near future.

September 25th, 2011

Flag Ceremonies, Taiko drumming, Celtic music and song, Hawaiian Dance and more, to celebrate the International Day of Peace (IDP).

A Call To Peace is an annual peace gathering held at The World Peace Sanctuary, headquarters of The World Peace Prayer Society and home of The Peace Pole Project.

September 21st marked the United Nations’ 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace, designated by resolution in 1982 for the purpose of highlighting efforts to end conflict, cease fire and promote peace.

The Boys and Girls Scouts of America (community troops from the Hudson Valley) arrived in uniform and participated as flag bearers in both the World Peace Flag Ceremony (WPFC) and The United States of America Flag Ceremony, along with the Peace Pals youth group from Connecticut and children and families from the community.

Each year, the Peace gathering is held under the canopy of a century-old Walnut Grove.

The Program begins by asking the attendees to join in a prayer ceremony for the indigenous peoples of The United States of America. This year the Native American Prayer Ceremony was presented by Grandmother Silver Star and Grandmother Echata Wilisa Dinane. Music accompaniment was provided by Roland Moussa and Mark Pukmel.

A beautifully orchestrated World Peace Flag Ceremony (WPFC) was presented by Fumi Johns Stewart, Executive Director of The World Peace Prayer Society.
The September 11th Memorial Peace Pole was placed in the center of the Ceremonial field as the focal point for the WPFC. The Ceremony was presented respectfully by region. In totality, flag bearers carried national flags representing 196 countries of the world, as they proudly proclaimed “May Peace Prevail On Earth” for the people and land in each country.

Closing with prayers for all the indigenous people throughout the world!
This year’s Finale was The United States of America Flag Ceremony, prayers for each of the 50 states in USA and its territories, presented by Ann Marie Robustelli, Executive Assistant of WPPS. The Girl Scouts from the Hudson Valley presented the USA national flag to seal the prayers for The United States of America!

HIGHLIGHTING THE EVENT:
This year marked the 14th Annual Peace Pals International Art and Award Ceremony. Bahrain, Botswana, Ethiopia and Uganda were added to the list of nations that were represented this year. The artwork was juried by a panel of international judges for the final selection. Jules Lamore, Peace Pals Coordinator announced the winners in each of the 4 categories. All artwork submissions were beautifully displayed on panels for all to enjoy. To view the winning entries, please visit: www.peacepals.org.

The Peace Pole Art Youth Project: Jim Dugan, WPPS Sanctuary Manager and a coordinator of The Peace Pole Project, created a Peace Pole kit that included a blank (8) foot Peace Pole, paint and 36 language translations of the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” for the youngsters to choose from. Jim actively engaged in outreach to schools in the surrounding area. Schools and Youth groups from fourteen locations took part in the Project.

A very special Peace Pole representing South Sudan was crafted and presented by Jim Dugan, WPPS. Jim led the audience into a special ceremony honoring South Sudan newly found independence. Since July 2011 South Sudan has been an official and independent member state of the United Nations.
The Peace Pole representing South Sudan now joins the 193 Peace Poles on the Peace Path at The World Peace Sanctuary.

Japan Tsunami Recovery Fund- Poem written by Kenji Miyazawa was read aloud by Japanese WPPS member Keizo Aoi in native Japanese language and read again in English. Donations collected were sent to support friends (in Iwate Prefecture, Japan) who are actively engaged in the Tsunami Recovery Efforts for children.

Uplifting peace songs and music provided by very talented musicians, singers/songwriters: Jenna Greene, Aliza Hava, Roland Moussa, Aly-sun Panichi, Karcher Reynolds, and 7 year old Kammy Zheng.

Hawaiian dance by the graceful Mana Yuimi Koike.

Taiko drumming by the very energetic and talented Keizo Aoi.

Activities included:
Art of Aikido demonstration, Arts & Crafts, Face Painting and Petting Zoo

Representatives from non-profit organizations came to share their social services and community volunteerism.

Infinite appreciation and joy!

May Peace Prevail On Earth!
Ann Marie Robustelli
The World Peace Sanctuary, headquarters of The World Peace Prayer Society
Wassaic, New York-USA
www.worldpeace.org
www.peacepoleproject.org

October 23rd, 2011

DEAR PEACE FRIENDS,

JOIN US IN PRAYERS AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY (1992-2011) OF WALKING FOR PEACE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
on Sunday Oct.23, 2011 in Sta. Magdalena,Sorsogon,Philippines.

“for every step is a prayer to heal mother earth”

MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH!

MARIO ‘TOOTS’ FUNGO,
WPPS Peace Representative in the Philippines

July 5th, 2011

As Cooperation Circle” Euro-Asia” of URI (United Religious Initiative) we were active participants of Artania Festival of Folk Crafts which took place in our city of Novosibirsk (the capital of Western Siberia) from June 15th to July 5th, 2011, which took place on the main square of the city near the Theater of Opera and Ballet. The Crafts Festival organizers supported our idea of holding the World Peace Flag Ceremony with the flag cards provided by The World Peace Prayer Society!

It started to rain and at 12 o’clock the weather didn’t look inspiring for any ceremony, but we knew “where there is a will-there is a way” and decided to have the Flag Ceremony under the roof of the Theater near the columns. I was given a microphone and started with my short speech with words from the famous song ”Nature has no bad weather, any weather is a bliss..bad weather can be in our hearts…” I spoke about the power of thoughts and the powerful impact good thoughts have. The thought of ‘Peace’ is the best one. The people who joined the Flag Ceremony were very happy to participate. A few of the attendees spoke the message, May Peace Prevail On Earth in English.

To close the Ceremony, we sang the song the every Russian, I believe, is familiar with- it’s called, May there always be sunshine. Then guests from Uruguay and Bolivia sang their native song about peace in the world.

Galina Ermolina, Novosibirsk, Russia