NETHERLANDS
(2003 World Peace Prayer Society Report)

THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS

Dear Friends,

Yesterday, 21st of September 2003, a beautiful celebration of the International Day of Peace arose in front of the Peace Palace (The Hague). The Vigil that was organised to bring attention and strength to the International Day of Peace became an event in which people from all over the world met and started sharing their thoughts and whishes for peace. Those tourists that happened to visit the Peace Palace yesterday did not only see the Palace, but also touched something of the Peace that is to come.

The mandala with peace messages that was created contains thirty languages at least, and many, many tourists were surprised to find the flag of their home country in between all those other flags that were presented at the World Peace Flag Ceremony.

This turned out to be touching people so deeply, that they started sharing their experiences and also their pains and worries about peace in their lives and countries, and they found listening ears. Could the seat of our International Court of Justice also become the location where the people can find healing for the wounds we inflict upon each other? Only God knows; the invitation is open.

But for sure we will be there again during the International Day of Peace 2004. MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH.

Irene van Schagen
WPPS Peace Representative

NETHERLANDS

On the eve of IDP 2003 (so that people can attend the celebrations in Belgium), the Association for World Citizens presented a full day Symposium on Health Sustainability and Spiritual World Citizenship. This Symposium demonstrated how each person can contribute to a world in which all people, plants and animal species can flourish in cooperation with one another in such a way that the desire to achieve one’s ends through wielding power at the expense of others loses its hold. (“WE THE PEOPLES” INITIATIVE Participant)

2003 World Peace Prayer Society Compilation

May Peace Prevail On Earth