“The
Space In Between”
Inner
Peace is a personal quest for peace, and World Peace is the global
experience of peace. While we at The Peace Flag Project(PFP) advocate
for the individual experience of peace, and hold great hope for
World Peace, our Mission is to create peace in the space in between:
the space where we live our every day lives. Our goal is peaceful
relationships on all levels. Our focus is on how we live with
our families, friends, and community members; what kind of citizens,
coworkers and colleagues we are; and, how we educate our children
and work for social justice. It’s about being able to live
a healthy life with meaningful work, good housing and safe neighborhoods.
It’s about affirming our need for artistic expression and
appreciation for culture in all its diversity. It’s about
how we live on this planet and use its resources. It’s about
appreciating the connection of all life physically and spiritually.
Our work is to foster peace in our ordinary lives.
We do this in three ways:
(1)
Creation of Peace Flags
We provide the opportunity for people to create flags as a way to
share their deepest wishes with the world. As they write or draw
on flags, people connect to what matters most in their lives. Each
flag begins with a quiet reflection on what would make the world
a better place. This is an enriching and enlightening experience.
One can feel a spiritual connection with one’s deepest self
and with all humanity. Displaying the flags outdoors and in shares
the inspiration and connection. Taken together, these small flags
describe how we can live together in peace on this planet. The flags
are based on the tradition of Tibetan Prayer Flags, which for centuries
have sent prayers for peace, harmony and compassion to be carried
around the world on the wind.
(2) Celebration of the United Nations’ International
Day of Peace
The
UN mandated that International Day of Peace in 1981, the world’s
first day of peace. The UN created a day for all people, not just
world leaders, to talk about peace and nonviolence. To create a
better world and eliminate violence and war, we need to become a
more peaceful people, and this peace needs to come from the citizens
of the planet, from each of us. Peace Day celebrations are held
all over the world each year on September 21. With our annual observation
of this special day, we join our hopes for peace with those of people
all over the globe.
(3) Creation of Peace Parks
Peace
Parks provide a peaceful space to relax, read, spend time with children
or do whatever enhances one’s sense of peace. These can be
small spaces – a bench and some shrubs, a playground with
a peaceful corner – or larger areas where many can gather
together to experience peace. Peace Poles are often part of these
parks, expressing hope for peace in the world with “May Peace
Prevail on Earth” in the languages of the local communities
( www.worldpeace.org/peacepoles.html
). We
believe that each of the things we do helps in a small way to
make this a more peaceful world. Everything big begins as something
small. History tells many stories of enormous changes that began
as small ideas or actions. The amazing work of Mahatmas Gandhi,
Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela all began with small
gestures in the right direction. In addition to these important
world leaders, ordinary people contribute to peace and kindness
and generosity every day. The Peace Pilgrim, who walked across
the United States for 30 years, wrote: “One little person,
giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving
some of their time, can make history.” We believe this can
be so.
We
know that experiencing peace communally is a powerful thing, and
we know that small efforts can add up to significant change. Our
work is to inspire more people to consider how they might create
more peace on the planet. These small flags, carrying the hopes
and dreams of so many people, are simple but powerful steps toward
history.
We
at the Peace Flag Project wish to acknowledge a debt to the United
Nations for its humanitarian efforts and its work for peace on
the planet. We are inspired by the United Nations’ initial
vision in the Declaration of Human Rights ( www.un.org/overviewrights.html
). Our work has also been informed by the efforts of Nobel Peace
Laureates and the UN to create the Culture of Peace ( http://cpnn-world.org/resolutions/resA-53-243A.html
) and the Peace Manifesto www3.unesco.org/manifesto2000
to help us all work for peace in that space in between.
For more information, please contact
info@thepeaceflagproject.org
www.thepeaceflagproject.org
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