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Aug 23, 2009, 4:39:22 AM8/23/09

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Newsletter Uudesta Seelannista, mukana maailman maailmankulkueen uutisia.

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From: Montserrat Prieto <montserr...@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/8/23
Subject: [MarchaMundial] World Peace March - Actions, events and more...
To: MM-MarchaMundial <MM-March...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: worldwidemarch <worldwi...@googlegroups.com>, mundosinguerras <mundosi...@googlegroups.com>, msg_prensa <msg_p...@googlegroups.com>, MSG Org-Paises <msg-org...@googlegroups.com>

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From: Alyn Ware

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World March for Peace and Nonviolence

Aotearoa-New Zealand Update – August 2009

1. World Peace March Flame lit in Hiroshima

Flame at Nagasak Peace Sculpture resize.jpg A Nuclear Abolition Torch, lit in Japan on August 5, will be carried around the world on the World March for Peace and Non-violence to promote the abolition of nuclear weapons. The torch was lit from the Hiroshima Flame, a central feature of the Hiroshima Peace Park, in the lead-up to the 64^th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of the city. The Hiroshima Flame was lit from the embers of the nuclear explosion in memory of those who perished. It will remain alight until all nuclear weapons are eliminated.

The Nuclear Abolition Torch was re-lit in Nagasaki on August 9 – the anniversary of the nuclear bombing of that city – at a ceremony in front of Te Korowai Rangimarie (The Cloak of Peace) – a sculpture donated by New Zealand to the Nagasaki Peace Park in 2007. The torch is part of the Nuclear Abolition Flame project, which includes both online (virtual) actions as well as actual events around the world to promote nuclear abolition and the achievement of a global nuclear disarmament treaty. Everyone is encouraged to spread the Nuclear Abolition Flame.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey has brought the torch to Aotearoa-New Zealand for the World Peace March events here. Bob was in Japan for the Assembly of Mayors for Peace – an association of 3000 cities calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons – at which he was elected a Vice-President. Thanks to Mayra Gomez (Bolivia/Aotearoa) who organized the torch-lighting ceremonies. (See Hiroshima Flame to travel the world, Pressenza, August 5. For photos of the event click here. )

2. And the bidding starts now – great items to be won in the World March online auction

Op shop.jpg Support the Peace March. Acquire a literary, music or photographic treasure. Bid now in the World Peace March online auction.

A number of works by well-known New Zealand writers, performers and a photographer went online on August 17 in an auction which is part of a global initiative for peace and non-violence. Running until 27 August, the auction of signed books, photographs and music aims to raise funds for the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. Pieces have been donated to the auction by Dame Fiona Kidman, Ans Westra, Joy Cowley, Opshop, Mary McCallum, Yulia, Glenn Colquhoun and Peter Elliot (Click on the name to see their piece being auctioned and to place a bit). Also being auctioned are a Peace Pack, Nuclear Disarmament Pack and two peace-related books donated by Steele and Roberts Publishers.

3. Join the World Peace March opening blessing ceremony on Rekohu (Chatham Islands)

Sunrise at Rekohu.jpg Be part of the historic opening blessing ceremony for the World March for Peace and Non-violence. The World Peace March will be welcomed onto Kopinga Marae (Moriori marae) on Rekohu (Chatham Islands) for an opening blessing ceremony hosted by the Hokotehi Moriori Trust on September 29 and 30. This will include special gifts from Moriori (the indigenous inhabitants of Rekohu) to travel with the Peace March for its entire journey.

Moriori have maintained a Peace Covenant for over 500 years, rejecting war and violence even when the islands were attacked and occupied in the 19^th century. They have dedicated part of their recent Crown settlement towards educating about peace and their peace tradition (see Gift to Preserve Peace, Dominion Post 25/06/08).

Limited places are available for World March supporters to join the core team of global marchers, Moriori elders, dignatories, celebrities and peace movement representatives in Rekohu for this special event. Cost approximately $1000 per person ($800 for the return flight from Wellington. Two nights accommodation and food - approximately $300 at the lodge or $120 at the marae). Please contact World Peace March Aotearoa if you wish to be part of this special event.

4. World Peace March kick-off events in Auckland, Tauranga, Christchurch, Waiheke Island, Whanganui, and Wellington

The World March kicks off with a range of exciting events around the country. Find out the events close to you so you can join in (note: some times and details may change).

· Waiheke Island Sep 20: Starts 11am. A walk to Matiatia Wharf. Contact Skate Atkins

· PeacebellGardens cropped.jpg Christchurch – See World March Christchurch events. Contact Kate Dewes.

o Sep 21: Discover Christchurch peace history. Peace Walk starting at 5pm from the Elsie Locke Park at Centennial Pool and going to the Canterbury Women's Place at 190 Worcester Street. Followed by presentations and refreshments.

o Sep 21-Oct 31: Gandhi exhibition. Workers Education Association, 59 Gloucester Street.

o Oct 3: World Peace March Chch Walk. Starts at 1pm at the Tautahi Pa site on Barbadoes Street. Ends at the World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens about 3.30pm where the bell will be rung in honour of the World Peace March.

· Whanganui – See World March Whanganui events. Contact Gita Brooke.

o Sep 20: UN International Day of Peace Festival. 2 p.m. Quaker Settlement, 76 Virginia Rd

o Sep 21 – 29: Walk for Peace and Reconciliation. Starts Culture of Peace sculpture Handspan dedicated to a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. Continues to Wellington over 9 days.

· Tauranga Sep 28 or 29 (to be confirmed): Walk from Tauranga to Mangawhau (Mt Maunganui). Contact Gary Ware.

· Rekohu (Chatham Islands) Sep 29-30: World March Opening blessing ceremony hosted by Hokotehi Moriori Trust. See World March Rekohu events and item 3 above.

· Auckland Sept 27: Launch of the Auckland Peace Heritage Walk as part of Auckland Heritage Festival, followed by a concert at St-Matthews-in-the-City. See World March Auckland events. Contact Wende Jowsey.

· Wellington – see World March Wellington events. Contact Alyn Ware.

o Oct 2: World March starts from Gandhi statue at Central Railway Station at 9:30 am and then proceeds along route of Wellington Peace Heritage Walk.

o Oct 2: Meet the world marchers. Open discussion for public at Tapu te Ranga Marae 7:30-9:30pm.

o Oct 3: Tree planting (for carbon offsetting) at Tapu te Ranga Marae restoration site at 9:30 am.

o Oct 3: Ceremony at the Antarctica peace monument on Mt Victoria. 11:30am.

5. Peace Hikoi links with World Peace March

castle hll 2 resized.jpg Join other peace seekers in an amazing journey visiting historic and sacred sites in Te Ika a Maui (the North Island) and Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island) guided by indigenous wisdom-keepers. The journey includes visits and marae stays at Sharda, Te Miringa, Tarawera, Tauhara, Parihaka, Kaikoura, Castle Hill, Punakaiki, Karamea and Golden Bay. The Peace Hikoi will also link with the World Peace March in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland) and Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington).

6-day package (North Island) NZ$1200. 14-day package (North & South Islands) NZ$2400. See Peace Hikoi. Contact Michael Fleck.

6. Runanga, Church leaders, artists and others join the growing list of New Zealand endorsers

A number of Runanga/Iwi, church leaders, artists, political figures and non-governmental organizations joined as endorsers of the World Peace March over the past month bringing the number of high-level New Zealand endorsers to 85. New endorsers include: Te Runanga A Iwi o Ngapuhi, Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki, Tupoho Whanau Trust, Kai Tahu, Dame Kate Harcourt, Reverend Peter Beck the Anglican Dean of Christchurch, Reverend Victoria Matthews the Bishop of Christchurch, Christian World Service, Witi Ihimaera, Nikki Kaye MP, Dame Fiona Kidman, Opshop, Dr Ngatata Love, Grant Bridger, Ans Westra, Glenn Colquhoun, Professor Vincent O'Sullivan and Joy Cowley.

New international endorsers include Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Professor Uma Mesthrie (Great Grand-daugther of Mahatma Gandhi), Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Idinga, Olara Ottunu (former Uganda Foreign Minister and UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict), Gilberto Kassab Mayor of Sau Paulo (Brazil) and Nobel Peace Laureate Jodi Williams. Click here for a full annotated list of endorsers.

7. International News (click on link for full story):

a. Mt Arafat.jpg The World March crowns Mount Ararat – On August 6, in memory of the nuclear disaster of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, a team of Turks and Spaniards reached the summit of Mount Ararat to promote the World March.

b. Sukkah for Peace in Holit Kibbutz (Israel) - World March representatives have met with leaders of the Shomer Hatzair Movement in Israel and have agreed to carry out 3 days of activities for the World March related to Peace and Nonviolence in Holit Kibbutz on the 7th, 8th and 9th of October 2009

c. World Marchers to meet Pope Benedict XVI - On the 11th of November a delegation of World Marchers will take part in an audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

d. World Peace March part of successful campaign to make Africa a nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ) – The Pelindaba Treaty making Africa a NWFZ entered into force following the ratification of the 28^th African country Burundi in July. This makes virtually the whole southern hemisphere a NWFZ.

e. Finnish President to meet the World Marchers - Tarja Halonen, the first female President of Finland, will meet a delegation of World Marchers as they pass through Helsinki on the 27th of October.

f. Peace Photograph competition – World without Wars in Greece has launched a photo competition on the theme of peace - world peace, social peace, inner peace and all other forms of peace and nonviolence.

g. 1000 Cranes for Peace – The World Peace March commemorated Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days with events around the world teaching people to make the Japanese bird of peace through origami (paper folding). See 1000 Cranes for Peace for the commemoration in Ecuador. Others can be found at World March News.

8. Join us at the next World March planning meeting – Wednesday August 26

Be part of the World March excitement now. Join us at the next World March planning meeting – Wednesday August 26, The Peace Place, 22 Emily Place Auckland Central. For an agenda etc contact Wende Jowsey we...@jowsey.com

9. Soldiers of Peace screening to benefit the World March

Soldiers of Peace – an award winning documentary narrated by Michael Douglas - will be screened in Christchurch on Wednesday 23rd September and Sunday 27th September at the Regent on Worcester. Proceeds from the screening will be donated to the World March for Peace and Nonviolence. For more information contact Keran Tsering. To watch the trailer click here.

10. Support the World Peace March

The World March for Peace and Non-violence will involve a core group of marchers travelling through 90 countries in 90 days, as well as numerous along the route involving millions of people. We need your help in raising funds for:

· Accommodation and transportation for the global team in New Zealand

· Support for one of the New Zealanders participating in the entire march

· Logistics and publicity for the New Zealand events

· Carbon footprint offsetting and environmental projects for the march