First held in 2006, the Peace Vigil was conducted to unite Sydney with over 170
countries, to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace. The event spanned
over 24hrs and included prayer vigils, the lighting of the World Peace Flame and
speeches and participation from an inter-denominational cross-section of
Sydney’s religious communities as well as a broad cross-section of politicians
from all major political parties and UN representatives. |
The aim is to unify all the disparate voices, all the different cultures, occupations
and roles in this desire for peace into one voice, one call, one Sydney – showing
that our mutual desire for a peaceful existence supersedes any differences
which may normally exist in our day to day lives. |
Carrying this sense of unity out into the even broader community
is also an aim, to clearly demonstrate to Sydney, Australia and
the world that whilst we may all be different our desire for peace
is unifying. Therefore, performance measures such as obtaining
media attention across a range of different cultural medium
would be considered a hallmark of success. |
Dancers and musicians representing many countries took the stage
for the extravaganza which also featured every conceivable musical
genre. It is truly a tangible demonstration of the unity which exists
within our diverse cultures. |
Held in September 2006, the Sydney Peace Concert was attended by
hundreds of people. Local and international entertainers united to promote
world peace with representatives of more than six countries. The focus of the
concert was world peace and celebrating the unity in diversity of our
community. This concert, held at Victoria Park, was opened to the general
community at no charge. It celebrated what has indeed already been
achieved in our capacity to live harmoniously in our own local community. To
tangibly demonstrate that the similarities are greater than the differences by
combining all local cultures together with their different traditions, dances and
music but the same universal aim. |
The Peace Forum was first held in 2006. Conducted at Parliament
House Sydney, the Peace Forum aimed at forging an interactive and
connecting link between our politicians, academics and general
public. |
The Forum seeks ways to consciously connect and build a culture of peace
with non-violence and cooperation as organising principles. Indeed, all our
systems of foreign policy, education, politics, business, health, and social
welfare can and must be united in seeking, teaching, and living peace. The
principles and processes of peace are of paramount importance to the
development of a sustainable and life-affirming future. |
World Peace has eluded our race for millennia. Although many individuals desire peace and the benefits it
will bring to human kind, we find that the general public do not fully comprehend a way forward to peace. |
