VPP Log: All Tomorrow's Flowers

Rose March - Oslo, Norway

Roses of Peace, Historical Testimony and the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace

Roses in Norway have become the symbol of love and community after a survivor of the Utoya massacre stated “when one man can show so much evil, think how much kjærlighet (love and caring) we can show together.” Amnesty International chose roses as the appropriate symbol [also the logo of the Labour party] in organizing the largest gathering in Norway's history. And they've left their mark as a healing reminder ever since.

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The Other 350

350 is the number for parts per million of Carbon Dioxide which are deemed safe for humanity - at present it's almost 392 - considered dangerous - and the awareness of the 350 number through stunning visual actions created the largest movement of simultaneous action in the history of the planet. But 350 also denotes another - perhaps quieter marker which I desire to point out - the 350th anniversary of the Peace Testimony - a historical point when a group of members of the Religious Society of Friends (or Quakers) in England wrote and delivered a Declaration to the King of that time Charles II: "All bloody principles and practices we do utterly deny, with all outward wars, and strife, and fightings with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretense whatsoever, and this is our testimony to the whole world." To mark this occasion which launched the long passionate commitment to the work of peace by Quakers in the world - there are a series of events, workshops and a Peace 350 workshop pack - to reflect from 1661 to 2011 what it means to live this testimony today.

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Two hundred years ago people in the US didn’t identify as Americans first. They identified as Virginians, Georgians, or New Yorkers. Now everyone is American first and a New Yorker or Virginian second. It’s just another small leap to identify oneself as a citizen of the planet first and an American second. And then we make that how we interact with other countries. Captain Paul Chappell

30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace

The United Nations announced that 21 September 2011 is the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Peace instituting a day to 'commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace'. The Day has gained strength and visibility by Jeremy Gilley in the UK (Peaceoneday.org) giving the day a singular fixed calendar date and Melvin Weiner of the US (Cultureofpeace.org) recently organising its listing by major international calendar distributors. In the Netherlands this year- the city of Peace and Justice, The Hague, hosts the United Network of Young Peacebuilders - in a week of activities from workshops to concerts and on the day itself a creative flashmob. The VPP is the 'surprise element' for the Day with hundreds of Fairtrade roses together with poems/reflections on peace from around the world- to be distributed by singing members in the historical station. This year marks the first Playing for Change Day (on 17 September) - musicians playing in public places around the planet in support of music education and peace. On the evening of 21 September in London the O2 Arena hosts Peace One Day's celebratory concert. And in a community action during the day at the Southbank Centre volunteers of the VPP will share international poems and statements of peace to visitors and locals alike.

Take time this September to reflect on your stand as a world citizen. As one friend pointed out world news is daily news now - whether that's the latest developments of the Arab Spring, the tragedy in Norway, the riots in England or the devastating hunger crisis in East Africa - this is a time to reflect and move- on the power of love and peace. By beginning to view ourselves as participants on the global stage as well as peacemakers in our hearts, homes and communities these problems are not just 'out there' but calls to action and compassion. To stand for the positive as Thich Nhat Hanh states- "people are dealing too much with the negative, with what is wrong. ... Why not try the other way, to look into the patient and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom." This echoes the Norwegian's statement above and is a call to all of us in these times of change, economic collapse and challenging tragedies to remember our significant blooms of peace.