June 18: 1st Annual Winnipeg International Peace Festival / 30th Annual Winnipeg Walk for Peace

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Vimy Ridge Park is the venue of the first annual Winnipeg International Peace Festival and the 30th Annual Winnipeg Walk for Peace which will take place Saturday, June 18, 2011.

The theme for this year’s march is the UNESCO Manifesto for a culture of Peace and Non-violence, a statement that has been signed by more than 75 million people.

This will be a day long affair, with food, entertainment and activities for the whole family. We are pleased to have a special guest speakers this year, Jean Béliveau, who for the past 11 years, has been conducting a World Wide Walk for Peace and Children. He’s on the home stretch of his epic journey and will share his experiences with us on June 18.

Schedule
11:00 AM – Craft tent (including windsock and banner making for the Walk for Peace)
12:00 PM – Welcome address
12:30 PM – Walk for Peace (map of route)
2:00 PM – Keynote Speaker Jean Béliveau
2:30 PM-5:30 PM – – FREE food, music, entertainment, craft tent for kids and adults, kids activities, information, and workshops
2:30 PM – Trio Bembe (of Papa Mambo)
3:30PM – Paws for Peace (dog agility show)

Peace Festival Sponsors include Assiniboine Credit Union, Canadian Federation of Students–Manitoba, Dogwood Agility Training School, High Speed Hounds, Peace Alliance Winnipeg, Project Peacemakers and Food Fare.

Jean Béliveau – World Wide Walk for Peace and Children

On August 18th, 2000, at 9:00 am, Jean Béliveau left Montreal, Canada. His goal was to walk around the planet to promote “Peace and non-violence for the profit of the children of the world”. He is travelling alone with a three-wheeled stroller that holds a bit of food, his clothing, a First Aid kit, a small tent and a sleeping bag.

This 11 years journey is in support of the United Nations proclamation: 2001-2010 – International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World

Jean has walked across continents, from North America to South America, then across to South Africa, up to Europe, then the Middle East, South and Eastern Asia, Australia, New Zealand and finally back to Canada. He is on his way home. More information can be found at http://wwwalk.org/en/.

Manifesto 2000 for a culture of Peace and Non-violence

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the year 2000 as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the decade 2001-2010 International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the children of the World. UNESCO was designated as lead agency for this Decade. The Manifesto 2000 for a culture of peace and non-violence, was drafted by a group of Nobel Peace Prize members, to translate the resolutions of the United Nations into everyday language and to make them relevant to people everywhere. Manifesto 2000 does not appeal to a higher authority, but instead it is an individual commitment and responsibility. It has been signed by more than 75 million people. It reads:

“Because the year 2000 must be a new beginning, an opportunity to transform – all together – the culture of war and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence.

“Because this transformation demands the participation of each and every one of us, and must offer young people and future generations the values that can inspire them to shape a world based on justice, solidarity, liberty, dignity, harmony and prosperity for all.

“Because the culture of peace can underpin sustainable development, environmental protection and the well-being of each person.

“Because I am aware of my share of responsibility for the future of humanity, in particular to the children of today and tomorrow.

“I pledge in my daily life, in my family, my work, my community, my country and my region, to:

  • Respect the life and dignity of each human being without discrimination or prejudice;
  • Practise active non-violence, rejecting violence in all its forms: physical, sexual, psychological, economical and social, in particular towards the most deprived and vulnerable such as children and adolescents;
  • Share my time and material resources in a spirit of generosity to put an end to exclusion, injustice and political and economic oppression;
  • Defend freedom of expression and cultural diversity, giving preference always to dialogue and listening without engaging in fanaticism, defamation and the rejection of others;
  • Promote consumer behaviour that is responsible and development practices that respect all forms of life and preserve the balance of nature on the planet;
  • Contribute to the development of my community, with the full participation of women and respect for democratic principles, in order to create together new forms of solidarity.”

 

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