May Peace Prevail On Earth News

March 20th, 2012

In recognition of the Spring Equinox, members and neighbors of The World Peace Prayer Society gathered at The World Peace Sanctuary in Wassaic, New York.

We walked up the Peace Path, paused and gathered around each one of the 193 Peace Poles representing the UN Member States to send wishes by saying, “May Peace Be in that Nation” and then someone would spontaneously add in by saying, “May Peace Prevail On Earth” along the way.

Days prior to the event we received heartfelt messages from WPPS members and Peace Representatives from many countries around the world, such as, requests for us to send our energy to end conflict in their homeland or for the freedom of a woman under persecution. Other messsages were from people who just wanted to let us know that they would be with us in spirit on this day for the same reason half way around the Globe. As we reached each of these countries’ Peace Pole someone would read aloud the message that was sent to us. It was deeply moving for everyone to share this. In almost perfect timing the sun was slipping below the horizon just as we reached the end of Peace Path, standing at the Peace Pole representing Zimbabwe. We sent out our love, respect and hopes and dreams for the future.

We will gather again to do the same on the Summer Solstice to share our hearts with the World. We hope you will join us in person or in spirit on that day.

May Peace Prevail On Earth!

Respectfully,
Jim Dugan, WPPS
at The World Peace Sanctuary

February 15th, 2012

The World Peace Prayer Society has been helping to organize a student program at the United Nations to observe the Gandhi-King-Chavez Season for Nonviolence since its inception.

This year’s theme was: “Global Peace through Social Media: There’s An App for That!”, helping 400 high school students and one elementary school learn to stop cyber-bullying as well as how to use social media to build a culture of peace. A powerful presentation by students of the Conflict Resolution program at Susan E. Wagner High School on Staten Island closed with, “May Peace Prevail On Earth!”

Next came the Trenton Children’s Choir, singing the well-known African marching song, “Siya Hamba/ We are Marching in the Light of God.” After several verses, the children switched the lyrics to “May Peace Prevail On Earth” and invited the audience to sing along.

The students of Susan Wagner High also showed a video flag ceremony! The students researched all 193 flags of the UN Member States and displayed them in alphabetical order, interspersed with pictures of peace leaders, including speaker Ibrahim Sharif at last year’s Newark Peace Summit, with a Peace Pole next to him. www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2tlUzLgCAY

So even without actual flags this year, the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” was a strong component of the UN Season for Nonviolence event, as the students attending were urged to dedicate their lives to nonviolence and peace.

February 19th, 2012

Due to our proximity to Japan Town, and the connection of our building to the events of February 19,1942 (70 years ago) that relocated local Japanese-Americans to internment camps for 3 years, we wanted to commit our future to the cause of peace. All of our students and faculty blessed the Peace Pole with water. We had a Japanese Taiko drummer help with the celebration. It was very moving. Thanks for making this a special moment for our community. Peace.

Sergio Vasquez
Theology and Campus Ministry
Stuart Hall High School
Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco, California

“Common Ground for the Common Good” NYC, New York-USA
February 7th, 2012

A rare event took place in the UN General Assembly on February 7, 2012: religious and secular leaders from around the world gathered to affirm “Common Ground for the Common Good” to mark the close of the second annual World Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7).

The program, hosted by the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, was organized by a team of UN NGO representatives that included Deborah Moldow of the World Peace Prayer Society and WPPS Peace Representative Monica Willard, both officers of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN.

The program featured Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro and diverse voices, religious and secular, from all over the world, echoing the theme of harmony and the foundation of values shared by both religious groups and the United Nations itself. Four “pillars” of the President of the General Assembly were also addressed: Conflict Mediation; Disaster Prevention and Response; Revitalization of the UN; and Sustainable Development.

The star speaker of the day was young Yuka Saionji, daughter of Chairperson Masami Saionji and President Hiroo Saionji of the World Peace Prayer Society. Ms. Saionji has been working among the Japanese youth who lost so much during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and needed to find the confidence to rebuild. She brought tears to everyone’s eyes as she spoke movingly of the importance of prayer, and how much the prayers and support from around the world brought comfort to the Japanese people – and she received a standing ovation.

Monica Willard, who represents the United Religions Initiative at the United Nations, stated that the purpose of the event, which honored GA Resolution A/RES/65/5 establishing World Interfaith Harmony Week, was to fill the General Assembly with love. This was accomplished with speakers offering the wisdom of their traditions and also with music, which included an indigenous flute, a chamber ensemble and the Salvation Army New York Staff Band. The Children’s Theater Company offered a delightful presentation of peace quotes and a song of unity by a joyful troupe of young people.

The spiritual highlight of the program was a tree ceremony, co-led by Deborah Moldow with Taj Hamad of the Universal Peace Federation. Representatives of eleven religions were invited to come forward to give water to a common tree, symbolic of nurturing our common ground. The beautiful music of Paul Winter, a member of the WPPS Founding Advisory Board, was a magnificent complement to the ceremony. Deborah closed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

All speakers and organizers came onto the stage for the final music of the ceremony and the concluding remarks of the President of the General Assembly, who stated that, “the fruits of religious dialogue and understanding offer the hope of a new era of peace for all humanity.”

In the great hall of the nations of the world, 1200 active listeners – along with many watching the webcast from different parts of the world – each held a shared vision of a culture of peace throughout the program. The Peace Pole next to the stage silently expressed our “Common Ground for the Common Good,” as it anchored a new spirit of harmony and peace.

February 5th, 2012

Fumi Johns-Stewart, Executive Director of The World Peace Prayer Society graciously accepted an invitation to meet with Mr. David Janes, at The World Peace Sanctuary, headquarters of The World Peace Prayer Society.

Mr. David Janes is the Director of Foundation Grants and Assistant to the President at the United States-Japan Foundation.

Mr. Janes is also a doctoral candidate in sociology at The New School for Social Research and is currently engaged in research regarding “peace culture in Japan.”

February, 14th, 2012
Taken at Bulusan Lake, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP), Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Mario Toots- Fungo, WPPS Peace Representative in the PHILIPPINES

December-2011

While in Morocco for a Peace Pole dedication ceremony and a World Peace Flag Ceremony in honor of the Dahkla International Gathering, Fumi Johns-Stewart, Executive Director of The World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) met so many peace loving people. Here are just a few of the many very special guests who were honored to accept stickers from Ms. Stewart bearing the peace message, May Peace Prevail On Earth.

Hicham Bahloul, Moroccan Actor and Ms. Fumi Johns Steward, Executive Director of The World Peace Prayer Society

Amazing!!

Just seen this in a garden in Darjeeling, Kurseong, India.

May Peace Prevail On Earth!
Hope you are all well.
Love and Light
Caroline

January-2012

This is a peace pole located on Main Street in Fishkill, NY. It is located in front of the Du Bois House, one of the earliest buildings in the village dating from approximately 1750 AD. Today, the DuBois House contains offices of the First Reformed Church and the Fishkill Food Pantry.

October-2011

Hello Ms. Fumi-Johns Stewart and happy new year. I am writing at long last to send you information about the dedication of the two Peace Poles at U.S. Embassy Bucharest earlier this Fall.

The day was an important milestone for the Embassy and for Romania – we are very honored to be the home of two Peace Poles.

I want to say that I very much appreciate the wonderful way in which you all took care to make sure we had the Peace Poles in time, I’m only sorry that our Ambassador was way-laid by other urgencies that demanded his attention away from this project. As you’ll see from the photos, the Peace Pole do look wonderful in place on the grounds of the new Embassy here in Bucharest and the reception for them among staff and visitors has been wonderful.

It’s been a pleasure to work with your organization and I hope to be able to do so again; thank you for what you do around the world to envision and bring about peace. And thank you for your patience with us!

Best wishes for your continued success in 2012 and beyond; I hope that our paths will cross again in the future.

Two Peace Poles were recently dedicated at the new Embassy compound at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest Romania. Coinciding with the U.S. government’s move to the new compound located just north of Bucharest; over 50 staff along with dignitaries from the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended the Peace Pole Dedication Ceremony led by Deputy Chief of Mission, Duane Butcher.

The two Peace Poles, one installed in the Consular Section’s Garden and the other near the Embassy’s main entrance, host the phrase “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in 16 languages, all of which are spoken in Romania or in the neighboring countries. Embassy staff gathered for the dedication ceremony and “May Peace Prevail On Earth” was spoken in each of the featured languages by a native speaker of the language among the staff members and dignitaries gathered. Several group photos were taken as well to document the historic occasion.

The Peace Poles are believed to be the first planted at an American Embassy abroad and an estimated 400 people pass by the Peace Poles each work day.

Laurie J. Meininger
Deputy Consul General U.S. Embassy Bucharest