...
'Peace Parks Across
Canada' Commemorates 15th
Anniversary (Stowe-VT, 09
October 2007) Cities and towns across Canada
re-dedicated parks to peace today commemorating the
15th Anniversary of their original dedication as
part of Canada 125 Celebrations in 1992. Fifteen Years ago
as Canada celebrated its 125th Birthday, some 400
cities and towns across Canada dedicated a Park to
Peace with most parks dedicated at Noon local time,
October 8th, as the National Peacekeeping Monument
was being unveiled in Ottawa. Each of the original
Peace Parks incorporated a 'Bosco Sacro' (Peace
Grove) of 12 trees as a symbolic link with one
another, and with nature - and as a symbol of hope
for the future. The 12 trees were also symbolic of
Canada's 10 Provinces and two Territories. As there
are now three Territories, a 13th tree was planted
as part of the "Re-dedication
Ceremonies." In more than 25,000
creative grass roots initiatives, Canadians
everywhere harnessed the occasion of Canada 125 in
1992 to express their enormous and completely
justified pride for their nation - which that year
was officially designated by the United Nation as
the number one nation in the world to live
in. Five common themes
that emerged during Canada 125 celebrations that
expressed what Canadians value most about their
country were: the freedom, opportunity and personal
security enjoyed by Canadians; a common concern for
the environment; the desire to help one another; a
wish to know one another better; and the many
achievements of Canadians. The re-dedication
of Canada's Peace Parks served as an occasion to
reflect on these values and as a reminder of the
common commitment of Canadians to peace and
understanding at home and throughout the
world. "Peace Parks Across
Canada" was conceived and organized by the
International Institute for Peace through Tourism
(IIPT) in collaboration with "CANADA 125" and the
National Capital Commission. Supporters included
the Federation of Canadian Mayors and
Municipalities, Canada Parks and Recreation
Association, the Tourism Industry Association of
Canada, Heritage Canada, World Wildlife Fund
Canada, Friends of the Earth, Canadian Society of
Landscape Architects, and local Rotary Clubs all
across Canada. Project sponsors
included VIA Rail, Greyhound Lines Canada, Ltd., CP
Hotels and Resorts, Ramada International Hotels and
Resorts, Four Seasons Ltd., Meridien Hotels,
Concept 3 Advertising and Programmed
Communications, Ltd. "Peace Parks Across
Canada" has served as the foundation in launching
the "IIPT Global Peace Parks Program" on the 11th
hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 2000
&endash; the first year of the new Millennium -
from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ's
baptism. The Program continues as a living legacy
of the 1st Global Summit on Peace through Tourism,
November 8-11, 2000 hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan. His Majesty King Abdullah II was Patron
of the Summit which &endash; like the Global Peace
Park Program - was in support of the UN Decade of
Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the
World. Notable among the
IIPT Peace Parks dedicated to date in addition to
that at 'Bethany beyond the Jordan" are IIPT Peace
Parks at Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii; the Dag
Hammarkskjold Memorial Site, Ndola Zambia (site of
UN Secretary Dag Hammarskjold's plane crash while
on a peace mission to the Congo in 1961); Waterton
Glacier International Peace Park (the world's first
international peace park); Bagamoyo, Tanzania, (a
UNESCO Heritage Site which served as a center of
the slave trade for Eastern Africa); Victoria
Falls, Zambia (one of the seven natural wonders of
the world); Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; and
Namugongo on the Uganda Martyr's Trail, a World
Heritage site. Cities and towns
wishing to become part of the IIPT Global Peace
Parks Program by dedicating a park to peace are
invited to contact IIPT at: PeaceParks@iipt.org
. About International
Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT)
IIPT is dedicated
to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives
which contribute to international understanding and
cooperation, an improved quality of environment,
the preservation of heritage, and poverty
reduction, and through these initiatives, help
bring about a more peaceful and sustainable
world. For more
information on IIPT please visit:
www.iipt.org. Media Contact:
Karen Hoffman, The Bradford Group. Email International
Institute for Peace Through Tourism 685 Cottage Club
Road, Unit 13, Stowe, VT 05672 Tel: +1 802 253
2658 • Fax: +1 802 253 2645 Email:
info@iipt.
Marine Peace Park Salmon Arm, BC
