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America’s Nobel Peace Laureates: They Need To Be Recognized
un article par John Attig
Twenty-four Americans have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, yet most of their countrymen have trouble naming even one. In contrast the same persons usually are able to name at least five American generals from the nation’s many wars. That is why the Nobel Peace Laureate Project in Eugene, Oregon, is determined to raise the public’s awareness of their accomplishments. U.S. Peace Laureates have ended wars. prevented others, aided the victims of war, and created conditions that reduce the causes of conflicts
This is the Best of Parade entry at the September, 2010 Eugene Celebration Parade. The sayings on the signs were original statements by chlldren in various European nations.
click on photo to enlarge
These Americans have not been recognized as a group in their native land. The Eugene group came up with the Nobel Project, which has two tracks. One is a curriculum and teaching materials about the Peace Laureates written for elementary schools, middle schools and high schools respectively. Available on the Project’s website, these teaching materials are being used in every state and over thirty foreign countries. The materials are the first ever to describe what the Laureates have done.
The other aspect of the Project is a planned Peace Park. The city of Eugene is providing a site with over two acres for the first ever site honoring as a group these American peacemakers. Space is allocated for future winners. The Peace Park will feature a winding path that will display plaques describing what each Laureate did to merit the Peace Prize. 25 new trees and hundreds of new flowering plants will provide a gorgeous setting. It is hoped to begin creating the Peace Park in 2012.
The Peace Park has received many in-kind donations, including thirty-four tons of rock for a wall, and stone masons volunteering their labor. A 2010 fundraiser provided a needed surge of cash donations and pledges. Many civic, religious, and political organizations have endorsed these efforts.
1997 Peace Laureate Jody Williams, a woman who began working for the International Treaty to Ban Land Mines by using the internet from her own apartment, told a conference in 2010, “You have a cause for humanity. Get off your [butt] and do it!” The Nobel Project endorses her spirit and seeks to spread it to other Americans.
For more information about the Nobel Peace Laureate Project, its teaching materials, and how persons can assist bringing the Peace Park to life, visit the Project’s website: www.nobelpeacelaureates.org.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) liée(s) à cet article:
How can culture of peace be developed at the municipal level?,
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Commentaire le plus récent:
International Cities Choose Peace
J. Fred Arment
arment@internationalcitiesofpeace.org
International Cities of Peace, an association of global cities of peace, is using the U.N. Culture of Peace tenets as the guideline for forming initiatives. To date, thirty-one cities are part of the association. Some are grassroots organizations, others have the firm commitment by resolution or proclamation from the city council.
International Cities of Peace include the following:
• Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.
• Eugene, Oregon, U.S.A.
• Unity Village, Missouri, U.S.A
• Coventry, England
• Bradford, England
• Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Mataki, Philippines
• Pathuthani, Thailand
• Fizi, Democratic Republic of Congo
• Lake County, California, U.S.A.
• Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
• Nagpur, India
• Reno, Nevada, U.S.A.
• Bujumbura, Burundi
• Mzuzu and Lilongwe, Malawi
• Tunis, Tunisia
• Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A.
• Bihac, Bosnia, Herzegovina
• Yaounde, Cameroon
• Freetown, Sierra Leone
• Nyala, Darfur, Sudan
• Bujumbura, Burundi
• Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
• Nakuru, Kenya
• Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• Kathmandu, Nepal
• Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.
• Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, U.S.A.
• Warrake, Nigeria
• Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A.
To start an initiative, go to the association's website for resources and tools.
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