December 10th, 2012

Jeff Reiss, WPPS Peace Representative active in both USA and Thailand presented a Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony at the San Francisco Day School on December 10th, 2012. He was honored as an authentic role model for young people in his efforts to promote world peace. Over 300 students and teachers witnessed the Peace Pole dedication highlighted by musical celebrations for peace incorporated with the inspiring backdrop of flags representing the UN member countries.

December 29th, 2012

Mini Peace Pole dedication at Aikido Genki Dojo in Escobar City, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Instructor Gustavo Romano dedicated the mini Peace Pole on behalf of the dojo followed by a World Peace Ceremony, using WPPS Flag cards. The Ceremony took place on December 29, 2012 and it was a beautiful way to close the year with prayers for peace.

January-2013

Last fall, Tatomir Ion-Marius, WPPS Peace Representative met with Morgana West, Manager of the Pilgrim Reception Center in Glastonbury and introduced her to WPPS and the idea of planting a Peace Pole. She immediately showed interest and a few months later in January of this year, The Glastonbury Thorn World Tree and Peace Pole Community Day was organized. The event was attended by dignitaries who dedicated a Peace Pole together in the center of town by the historic Glastonbury Holy Thorn. Tatomir took part in the opening Ceremony by lighting the six flames of Peace in the Town Hall before the gathering proceeded outdoors to plant the Peace Pole in front of the Abbey. Caroline Uchima of WPPS Scotland also attended this significant Ceremony.

For more details of the event visit:

http://www.glastonbury-pilgrim.co.uk/holy-thorn-news.php

April 26-29th, 2013

The 12th Annual New Living Expo took place in San Francisco for three days starting the 26th of April. Over 300 exhibits and booths lined the halls of the venue featuring various cutting edge technology in the healing of mind, spirit and body. Over 100 lectures and 20 workshops were offered with prominent speakers including John Gray, David Wilcox and Dannion Brinkley.

To close the Expo, the World Peace Flag Ceremony was presented in the main foyer inviting participants to send their prayers for peace to prevail in each of the 193 countries of the world. A magnificent energy field was created as the prayers rang out through the hall along with the colorful flags of all nations held by each participant. The closing Universal Peace Message, May Peace Prevail On Earth, was heard loud and clear, planting yet more seeds in the heart of San Francisco and throughout the world!

September 21st, 2012

Eric Lusardi, age 14, received his Eagle Scout Award upon the completion of the New Richmond Community Commons Peace Garden.

The garden was dedicated on Friday, September 21st, 2012, in a ceremony attended by City Mayor, Fred Horne, along with State Senator, Sheila Harsdorf and State Representatives, John Murtha and Dean Knutson. The Mayor and the City Council signed a proclamation naming that date as New Richmond’s Peace Day, in addition to being the International Day of Peace.

Also in attendance were Dick Bernard of World Citizen and Melvin Giles, Peace Representative of The World Peace Prayer Society.

Patrick Petit of The Goi Peace Foundation led the World Peace Flag Ceremony.

Well recognized for avid support for women rights and empowerment globally, they were especially proud to host H.E. (Dr.) Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, the First Lady of Nigeria as Special Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker and award recipient as she was recognized for her unparalleled achievements.

The event offered plenary sessions, workshops, and an award dinner in honor of the recipients.

Fumi Johns-Stewart, Executive Director of WPPS, was awarded the International Award of Peace-2013.

April 21st, 2013

The Stony Point Presbyterian Church in Stony Point, NY planted a Peace Pole on Sunday, April 21st. The church community spent the past two years studying the timely issues of gun violence and peacemaking. After the horror of Newtown, CT and other senseless tragedies, Stony Point decided to plant a Peace Pole on their grounds to show the world that they, too, abhor violence and pray for peace on Earth.

The church expressed their intention in the invitation to the event: “By planting this pole we seek to have our voices for peace heard. When a Peace Pole is planted in one’s community, we are linking with people all over the world who have planted Peace Poles in the same spirit of peace. May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

Deborah Moldow, WPPS UN Representative, recited the prayer in Japanese, and then led a World Peace Prayer Ceremony with flags of many nations around the Peace Pole.

Mrs. Masami Saionji had a vision: she saw a Symphony of Peace Prayers at the United Nations. She saw people of all faiths offering prayers for peace, followed by the flags of all nations lifted in a shared call for peace on Earth. She saw an expression of global unity that would propel the United Nations and all of its member states into a new era of peace.
This vision came to life on February 14th, when 1500 people gathered in the UN General Assembly for a 3-hour event called United For A Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony, in honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, hosted the event with the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Six UN Missions co-sponsored, with four more as supporters, plus six additional NGO coalitions joining the Committee of Religious NGOs.
The program officially opened with H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, who spoke of the founding of the United Nations, where, “each Member State was given a seat around the high table of peace, in the expectation that one day swords may indeed be turned into ploughshares.” Deputy Secretary-General Mr. Jan Eliasson sharing from his long experience in conflict mediation about the importance of interfaith dialogue.

The audience was then treated to a beautiful and heart-filled performance by young Filipino soprano Katherina Saporsantos. Distinguished speakers from the United Nations, UNESCO and civil society then offered insights on the topic of The Role of Interfaith Harmony in the Peaceful Settlement of Disputes.

Mrs. Masami Saionji, Chairperson of The World Peace Prayer Society and Byakko Shinko Kai took the stage to introduce the heart of the program, the Symphony of Peace Prayers. She said, “The prayers of many faiths that will be offered here at the United Nations shall help us transcend the walls of separation, and bring new inspiration to the global community. I firmly believe that this will be a historic event to open the door to a bright and peaceful future.”

Representatives of Indigenous, Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian faiths offered their prayers and then stood before the Peace Pole on the stage. Mrs. Saionji joined them for a final bow, bringing the whole world of diversity together in love.

32 children from the UN International School Junior Four Chorus came forward to sing songs of peace. The audience rose to its feet in joy!
Mr. Hiroo Saionji, President of The World Peace Prayer Society and The Goi Peace Foundation, introduced the grand finale of the program, the World Peace Flag Ceremony. He said that, “A true culture of peace is built when we come to understand and respect our differences and appreciate our diversity.” Mr. Saionji mentioned that the ceremony would be very special because, “the flags will be raised by UN staff members, international college students and other volunteers—many of them a native of that country in their national costume.”
The audience was asked to rise, holding the paper flags that had been inserted into each program, to say together the invocation, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The grand pageant began as Dr. Noel Brown and Dr. Maki Kawamura announced the name of each Member State while its flag was presented, accompanied by Chris Farrell’s meditative music. Everyone said together, “May peace be in” every nation.

Finally, Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, stepped proudly forward to raise the flag of the United Nations. Everyone completed the World Peace Flag Ceremony by reciting three times, “May peace prevail on Earth!”

At that moment, the Unity Made Visible Interfaith Chorus led everyone in song as the flag bearers paraded out. Monica Willard, President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, with all the speakers and organizers surrounding her on the stage.

The United Nations General Assembly was aglow with the spirit of unity, love and peace. The event had demonstrated – through words, prayers, music and the flags of all nations – the magnificent diversity of the human family, standing “United For A Culture of Peace Through Interfaith Harmony.” All present were filled with one shared call from the heart: May Peace Prevail on Earth!

In the wake of the events in Boston on Monday, the Notre Dame de Namur University campus ministry invited the public to attend a gathering at the campus’ Peace Pole for prayer and signing of cards to be sent to NDNU’s sister school in Boston.

In response to the events that happened in Boston on Monday, people gathered at 12:05 p.m. at the Peace Pole outside of the Chapel. Prayers were offered for those who were killed or injured and prayers for peace and an end to violence. This was an ecumenical prayer time, meaning that prayers from all faith and spiritual traditions are welcome.

Jim Dugan has been growing the Youth Art Peace Pole Project for the past two years with a current goal of enlisting one professional K through 12 art teacher in each of the 50 States including Washington, DC,  to work with their students to design and create a seven foot tall Peace Pole. During a trial run a year and a half ago, thirteen school groups in New York and Connecticut created Peace Poles.

Due to the overwhelming excitement among the teachers and student who participated, staff of the WPPS decided to go nationwide!

Educators came from all over the United States, comprised of art teachers from public & private schools, colleges and universities as well as a few major museum curators.

As of April-2013,  45 States have already been represented. These Peace Poles will be created during the upcoming school year and all the finished Peace Poles will be displayed in the State where they were created at a place of significance on the International Day of Peace-September 21st, 2014.  Joining Jim Dugan at the NAEA convention was WPPS longtime volunteer, Carol Winters.

If you know of an art teacher in Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho or Nevada who would like to be part of this amazing project,  please contact Jim Dugan at:  yappp@worldpeace.org

May Peace Prevail in the USA!     May Peace Prevail On Earth!