Peace Parks Archives - International Institute For Peace Through Tourism IIPT

VICTORIA POINT URBAN FOREST IIPT PEACE PARK, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:10:55 +0000

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism with support and in collaboration with SKAL International Melbourne and the Victoria Point Owners Corporation, Docklands, Melbourne, commemorated and dedicated the 5th IIPT Global Peace Park in Australia.

As a legacy to the 2023 SKAL Australia National Assembly the VICTORIA POINT URBAN FOREST was dedicated as a member of the IIPT Global Peace Park Project on 27 August 2023.

Victoria Point Urban Forest is a green infrastructure project which transforms a pedestrian thoroughfare into an inviting, publicly accessible green space where residents, workers and visitors can engage and enjoy the unique surrounds.

It is located on a popular pedestrian access area to a major sporting and cultural complex, corporate headquarter precinct and transport hub in the city of Melbourne. It comprises over two thousand square metres, and the site boasts over 5000 new native plantings and 38 new trees.

Janette Corcoran, Chair of the Victoria Point Owners Association said,

“This new green site is significant to Docklands, an inner city location, in terms of identity and community. This is a project for the community from the community. The realisation of this project evidences the potential for local community-led endeavour, and moves away from passivity to a more visibly active community, willing and able to contribute. With the inclusion of the site into the Network of IIPT Global Peace Parks, Victoria Point is thrilled to be associated with IIPT and SKAL and we are keen to collaborate to explore what a peace park in an urban setting might be and set the new standard in Urban Forest concept and sustainability.”

Tara Strickland, President SKAL International Melbourne, commented on the ongoing association and collaboration with IIPT and their commitment to embrace and continue to support the IIPT Global Peace Park Initiative.

Victoria Point Urban Forest Peace Park joins over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks with the objectives to: to nurture the growth of peace and understanding at home and throughout the world; enhance awareness of a community’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment; and to create common ground for the community to come together in celebration of their nation’s people and land.

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IIPT / SKAL Peace Promenade and Hobart a City of Peace

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 04:33:15 +0000

Dave Flower President Skal Hobart, Hon Elise Archer, Minister for Justice, Arts, Alfred Mercer, Past President Skal Hobart, Hon Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor Hobart, Gail Parsonage, IIPT President Aust.

IIPT – International Institute for Peace through Tourism and Skal International Hobart inducted Hobart as a City of Peace and inaugurated the IIPT/SKAL Peace Park Promenade at Macquarie Point, on 21 September 2022 which was chosen to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Peace. The original announcement of the Hobart Peace Park Promenade and City of Peace was in March 2020 but due to all the Covid -19 restrictions it was not able to be celebrated.

However, formal dedication finally took place with the Right Honourable, Lord May of Hobart Anna Reynolds, the Honourable Elise Archer, Attorney General, Minister for Justice and Arts and other distinguished dignitaries in attendance.

Cities of Peace is a concept and initiative of IIPT and SKAL which identifies appropriate cities that are aspiring or currently actively demonstrating and promoting values of :- tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, environmental awareness, sustainable social and economic development, are invited to join this worldwide network of IIPT/SKAL Cities of Peace.

Having Peace Parks and Cities of Peace are outward signs of demonstrating a commitment to “Building a Culture of Peace”. It demonstrates a commitment to extending the hand of friendship and peace and welcoming of all peoples. Showcases a City’s strengths in arts, culture, design, tourism and science. Educates visitors to the cultural, environmental and reconciliation values of peaceful travel and establishes a focal point for ceremony and other community-based events.

The IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller is displayed to encourage people to read so they can play their part in promoting tourism as an instrument of peace and empowering each person to be an Ambassador for Peace

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THE FIRST IIPT PEACE PARK IN SERBIA

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 03:37:13 +0000

In Kruševac, on the International Day of Peace, the first Peace Park of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is officially proclaimed.

Before the announcement ceremony, The City of Kruševac representatives, the Tourism organization of the City of Kruševacrepresentatives and the Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT Serbia) signed the “Agreement on the establishment and functioning of the IIPT Peace Park in Kruševac”.

Aleksandar Jovanović, Deputy Mayor of Kruševac; Suzana Milosavljević, Director of the Tourism Organization of Kruševac; and Dr Jovan Popesku, President of the Institute for Peace Through Tourism unveiled a commemorative plaque and addressed the audience.

Representatives of youth and non-governmental organizations addressed the public too. A suitable musical program followed. The representatives of the city of Kruševac and IIPT Serbia planted a tree as a symbol of peace.

We expect that the second IIPT Peace Park in Serbia will soon be proclaimed based on the signed agreement between the Tourism Organization of Belgrade and IIPT Serbia.

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Mexico San Felipé, Baja California, Inaugurates a IIPT Peace Park on its 97th Birthday

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 16:47:14 +0000

February 5, 2022, San Felipe BC, Mexico: To add to the celebration of the occasion of the 97th birthday of the city of San Felipé on February 5th, a Peace Park was dedicated at the city’s most dynamic landmark, Los Arcos. The International Institute for Peace through Tourism and the City of San Felipé joined with dignitaries and the people of an Felipé to celebrate this special anniversary event. Recently, San Felipé became the 7th Municipality of Baja, California, which is cause for more celebration.

Competing with strong gusts of wind, the inaugural Peace Park event kicked off at 11:00 AM on the upper level of Los Arcos, the monument located at the entrance of the city. Mayor José Luis Dagnino Lopez of San Felipé spoke, along with Bea Broda, who is an Ambassador of IIPT (The International Institute of Peace through Tourism) to highlight the city’s commitment to peace.

The inauguration of the Peace Park was also attended by the President of Congress of Baja California, Juan Manuel Molina, who also spoke. Two fifth grade students (Tirado Flores Aylin Nitchel and Fajardo Ulloa Valentina) from the Sonrise Christian Academy recited poems they had written about peace, and two folkloric dances were performed by Ballet Flor Naranjo. Representatives of various municipal branches such as the police and fire departments, the Rotary and Lions Clubs and others. The celebration would not have been possible without the tireless work of Martin Romo of San Felipé United, for translation, preparation and logistics, and Dave Cutler for building the plinth and for audio/visual services.

Capping off the event was the ceremonial planting of an indigenous Neem tree and placement of a plaque designating San Felipé as a city that will nurture the growth of peace, tolerance and understanding at home and throughout the world, and enhance awareness of a community’s commitment to peace, inclusiveness, a healthy environment and sustainability. It is meant to dedicate a common ground for members of the community to come together in celebration of Mexico’s people, land, and heritage; the future of all humankind and our common home, planet earth.

The San Felipé Los Arcos Peace Park is meant to be “a place of reflection on our connectedness to one another as a global Family and to the earth of which we are all a part.

https://peacetourism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IIPT-Peace-Park-Mexico.mp4

Spanish :

San Felipé, Baja California, inaugura Parque de la Paz

5 de febrero de 2022, San Felipe B.C., México: Para sumarse a la celebración del 97 cumpleaños de la ciudad de San Felipé el 5 de febrero, se dedicó un Parque de la Paz en el hito más dinámico de la ciudad, Los Arcos. El Instituto Internacional para la Paz a través del Turismo y la Ciudad de San Felipé se unieron con dignatarios y la gente de un Felipé para celebrar este evento especial de aniversario. Recientemente, San Felipé se convirtió en el 7° Municipio de Baja California, lo cual es motivo de más celebración.

Compitiendo con fuertes ráfagas de viento, el evento inaugural del Parque de la Paz arrancó a las 11:00 horas en el nivel superior de Los Arcos, el monumento ubicado en la entrada de la ciudad. El alcalde de San Felipé, José Luis Dagnino López, habló junto a Bea Broda, quien es embajadora del IIPT (Instituto Internacional de la Paz a través del Turismo) para resaltar el compromiso de la ciudad con la paz.

A la inauguración del Parque de la Paz también asistió el Presidente del Congreso de Baja California, Juan Manuel Molina, quien también habló. Dos alumnos de quinto grado (Tirado Flores Aylin Nitchel y Fajardo Ulloa Valentina) de la Academia Cristiana Sonrise recitaron poemas que habían escrito sobre la paz, y dos danzas folclóricas fueron interpretadas por el Ballet Flor Naranjo. Representantes de diversas ramas municipales como los departamentos de policía y bomberos, el Club Rotario y de Leones y otros. La celebración no hubiera sido posible sin el trabajo incansable de Martin Romo de San Felipé United, por la traducción, preparación y logística, y Dave Cutler por la construcción del pedestal y los servicios audiovisuales.

El evento culminó con la plantación ceremonial de un árbol autóctono de Neem y la colocación de una placa que designa a San Felipé como una ciudad que fomentará el crecimiento de la paz, la tolerancia y el entendimiento en casa y en todo el mundo, y aumentará la conciencia sobre el compromiso de una comunidad con paz, inclusión, un medio ambiente sano y sostenibilidad. Está destinado a dedicar un terreno común para que los miembros de la comunidad se reúnan en la celebración de la gente, la tierra y el patrimonio de México; el futuro de toda la humanidad y nuestra casa común, el planeta tierra.

El Parque de la Paz de San Felipé Los Arcos está destinado a ser “un lugar de reflexión sobre nuestra conexión entre nosotros como una Familia global y con la tierra de la que todos somos parte.”

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IIPT Olive Peace Park in Urla Turkey

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 10:51:23 +0000

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism in collaboration with Dr Kostem, and Izmir Municipality, inaugurated the first IIPT Olive Peace Park at Kostem Olive Oil Museum, Urla Izmir Turkey.

Dignitaries from Turkey Tourism and Government, Australian Government and IIPT, joined Dr Kostem, founder of the Kostem Olive Oil Museum, the World’s Largest Olive Oil Museum, for the Peace Park dedication.

IIPT Olive Peace Park Urla, joins more than 450 IIPT Peace Parks around the world, which dedicates a piece of land which demonstrates a commitment to building a culture of Peace through Tourism.

IIPT Peace Parks help to focus visitors and hosts to:-

Nurturing the growth of peace and understanding at home and throughout the world.
Enhances the awareness of the community’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment.
Creates common ground for the community to come together for celebration of their land, heritage and to share their culture with others.
To reflect on the connectedness to planet earth and the key role of Tourism in contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful world.

Mr Andreas Larentzakis represented IIPT at the dedication and reflected on the IIPT World Summit in Amman in 2000 when he and Sevil Oren Konakci (from Turkey) along with other international dignitaries help plant the first olive tree, at the IIPT Peace Park, Bethany Beyond Jordan where seeds were sown for the IIPT Global Peace Park Network.

Olive Tree Planting – IIPT Olive Peace Park, Urla Turkey, with Kim Refshauge, (Australian Consulate), Amre Gezin,( SKAL Izmir), Dr Kostem, Andreas Larentzakis, IIPT

Dr Levent Kostem, founder of Kostem Olive Oil Museum, Mrs Guler Kostem, Andreas Larentzakis, IIPT representative.

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IIPT 35th Anniversary Peace Park Dedication

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 13:57:31 +0000

Jordan November 7-12, 2021

In collaboration with the Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Royal Society for Conservation of Jordan, the International Institute for Peace through Tourism invites you to join them in Jordan for a special 35th anniversary event.

Jordan was the site of the First Global Peace Summit held in 2000. We will re-dedicate the IIPT Global Peace Park at Bethany beyond Jordan and dedicate a new Global Peace Park at Azraq Wetlands Reserve.

We will also designate Azraq Community Center, where dozens of Syrian refugee children are offered educational opportunities, as an official partnership project of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism.

Itinerary:

Saturday, Nov. 6–International Departures

Sunday, Nov. 7–Arrive Amman/Transfer to Dead Sea. O/N Dead Sea

Monday, Nov. 8–Dead Sea/Rededication of IIPT Bethany Beyond Jordan. O/N Dead Sea

Tuesday, Nov. 9–Amman tour/RSCJ presentation O/N Amman

Wednesday, Nov. 10–Azraq Castle/Azraq Wetlands Reserve. O/N Azraq Lodge Thursday, November 11–AzraqCenter/Dedication of IIPT Peace Park. O/N Azraq Lodge Friday, November 12–Madaba/Mt. Nebo Late Departure

Saturday-Monday, November 13-15–Optional extension (Petra/Wadi Rum/Aqaba)

For more information, please contact Don King, ‘Donald King’ travelking47@gmail.com

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Thailand Peace Park

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 04:29:53 +0000

As Legacy of 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism: One Earth One Family

Khun Nirum Wattanasartsaton, Mayor of Pattaya City declared Pattaya a ‘City of Peace’ during a special ceremony at the 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Conference Center October 2-5, 2005.

Joining with the Mayor was IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore, and Niels Colov of Rotary International.

As part of the Ceremony – An IIPT International Peace Park was dedicated with delegates from each continent taking part together with members of Pattaya Rotary and dignitaries from Pattaya City.

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IIPT- Harrisburg Peace Promenade Commonwealth Monument Project

Sat, 07 Mar 2020 04:07:14 +0000

The Harrisburg Peace Promenade has initiated the Commonwealth Monument Project which is a broader initiative of the International Institute of Peace through Tourism (IIPT) The project will result in the casting in bronze of four figures of noted historic African-American persons. The commemorative Monument is to be installed on the lawn of the Irvis State Office Building at the foot of the Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.

The Monument is in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the 15th constitutional amendment that gave African Americans the right to vote and 100th year Anniversary of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote. The Monument will feature four figures namely: T. Morris Chester, William Howard Day, Francis Harper, and Jacob Compton highlighted by a central “Orators” pedestal.

Ms. Peggy Grove, who is a member of the Peace Promenade Committee, has funded the completed “Orators’ Pedestal” which is capped with a 3-D miniature layout of Harrisburg’s old 8th Ward formerly located behind the Capitol building. Upon the pedestal’s sides are 100 names of citizens who were instrumental in breaking down racial barriers and assisting in the development of Harrisburg’s African American community

This Monument will help to educate adults and students about the struggle to achieve voting rights for African-Americans and women in the United States and the Monument will generate history and educational programs, as well become a tourism destination, in metropolitan Harrisburg and state-wide.

The project now enters the dynamic phase of brining the four life-size bronze figures to fruition following the process from rebar skeletons, through clay sculpting, wax molding, bronze casting, welding and finishing, and final installation.

Beginning May 2020, the quartet of bronze figures and the ornate pedestal will be mounted on a 16 ft. cobblestone circle near the present PHMC State marker which provides cultural grounding for the unique project.

Additional historic signage including a Harrisburg City historic pedestal and the Bethel Trail historic marker enhance the significance of the site and help interpret the importance of the monument for the 100,000 annual tourists and visitors to the Capitol Complex.

The monument will be dedicated on June 15th, 2020 to raise the curtain on a week of events across the Commonwealth ending with June 19th Juneteenth Commemorations, an official state-wide holiday as declared by Governor Wolf.

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The tourism industry represented by IIPT is expanding dedications of Peace Parks

Sat, 18 Jan 2020 14:02:38 +0000

This is the third time Zambia is in the Center of Peace Through Tourism in the last year.

This is the third time Zambia is in the Center of Peace Through Tourism in the last year. After hosting two international events for the International Institute for Peace of Tourism (IIPT), and after dedicating Victoria Falls as a Peace Park 3 years ago, Zambia is firm on its commitment to support peace and tourism. On the day prior to the opening of the UNWTO General Assembly in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the President of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, Louis D’Amore, said at the re-dedication of Victoria Falls as a peace park and tree planting.

Without question Zambia has been taking a leading role in tourism over the years and plans to continue this commitment.

“We are most honored to have with us today, His Royal Highness Chief Mukuni of the Leya people on whose lands Victoria Falls is located; Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, First President of Zambia; and Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). And IIPT expresses its sincere appreciation to H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji of Jordan for traveling to Livingstone to join us in this re-dedication of the Victoria Falls IIPT International Peace Park with six olive trees from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and where IIPT dedicated an International Peace Park on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the first year of the new millennium as a legacy of its First Global Summit. With the planting of these six olive trees to day, Jordan and Zambia – Victoria Falls, and Bethany Beyond the Jordan are now symbolically linked as ‘places of peace,’” D’Amore said.

“I am also pleased to announce that as we re-dedicate this Peace Park today, some thirty more peace parks are being dedicated in South Africa, the Caribbean, and India as these towns and villages dedicate themselves to peace as part of IIPT’s new Peace Town initiative recently launched with Skal International. Dr. Kalifungwa and I would like to thank you all for coming and joining us on the re-dedication of the IIPT Victoria Falls International Peace Park, and God bless you all,” D’Amore concluded.

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IIPT Peace Park Dedicated in Chestnut Hill

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 03:00:30 +0000

Rotarian John Sigmund with his son, John, Jr. on the left, with Garden District President Emily Daeschler and IIPT President, Lou D’Amore at the Chestnut Hill Peace Park commemoration

Chestnut Hill Rotary in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Garden District celebrated the dedication of an IIPT Peace Park this past week in this proud Philadelphia (U.S.A.) community.

The dedication included the installation of a plaque in memory of Johanna Sigmund, who was killed in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Johanna was the daughter of John and Ruth Sigmund. The Chestnut Hill Peace Park is meant to be an oasis amidst busy urban life – a place people can go to sit, meditate and find peace.

In addressing the enthusiastic crowd gathered for the dedication, IIPT Founder and President, Lou D’Amore expressed appreciation to Emily Daeschler, Chestnut Hill Garden District President; Larry Schofer and Christina Spolsky, Chestnut Hill Rotary; and Kate O’Neill, Chestnut Hill Business District for their efforts in making the Peace Park a reality. He also gave a brief history of the IIPT Global Peace Parks Project beginning with its initial seeding in Seaforth Park in the center of Vancouver, Canada on the first day of the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace that brought together 800 persons from 68 countries and launched the ‘Peace through Tourism’ Movement.

Four years later – IIPT commemorated Canada’s 125th birthday with a “Peace Parks across Canada” project that was launched from three sites: Seaforth Park, Vancouver, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park – the world’s first International Peace Park and Victoria Park, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – birthplace of Canadian Confederation.

Peace Parks across Canada resulted in 350 peace parks being dedicated by cities and towns from St. John’s, Newfoundland on the shores of the Atlantic, across five time zones to Victoria, British Colombia on the shores of the Pacific. The Peace Parks were dedicated at Noon local time, October 8, 1992 as a National Peace Keeping Monument was being unveiled in Ottawa, the Nation’s capital, and 5,000 Peacekeepers passing in review. Each park dedicated with a ‘bosco sacro’ – a peace grove of 12 trees, symbolic of Canada’s 10 Provinces and 2 Territories, and a symbol of hope for the future. Of the more than 25,000 Canada 125 projects, “Peace Parks across Canada” was said to be the most significant.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the first year of the new millennium – the IIPT Global Peace Parks Project was launched at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the baptismal site of Christ as a legacy of the IIPT Amman Global Summit.

There are currently some 450 IIPT Peace Parks located throughout the world. Recent dedications include Sun River National Park, Pu’er, China; Danzai Wanda, Guizhou Province, China – developed as a Tourism Town for poverty alleviation, dedicated as an “IIPT Town of Peace;” and just west of Philadelphia in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – the IIPT Peace Promenade along the Susquehanna River.

Other speakers included Larry Schofer, president of the Chestnut Hill Rotary Club, who emphasized that the Rotary motto of “service above self” includes working with the local community. “The Peace Park is a great local addition to our community and shows what organizations can accomplish by working together,” he said.

Emily Daeschler, President, Chestnut Hill Garden District, said her group will continue to work to beautify the community and thanked Burke Brothers for their donation of garden care.

IIPT Peace Promenade, Harrisburg

Ceremony commemorating Danzai Wanda as an IIPT International Town of Peace.

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