Peace Run
The World's Longest
Torch Relay
The Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run is a global torch relay that carries the message of international friendship and understanding to over 70 countries throughout the world every year. It is a universal expression of hope and promise for a better world based on the idea that peace begins within the individual, and each of us can influence the course of progress towards world harmony. Relay teams bring the Peace Run Torch to school children, community groups and civic leaders, every participant contributing by passing the torch from hand to hand, heart to heart.
This year a team of runners from five nations as far away as Mongolia carried the torch thousands of kilometres- starting at Brisbane and finishing in Adelaide. Humanitarians such as Nelson Mandela, Cathy Freeman, Mikhail Gorbachev, Carl Lewis, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa and Muhammad Ali have all been torch bearers.
The Peace Run was founded by Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007) in 1987. Sri Chinmoy was an athlete, philosopher and humanitarian who saw sport as a powerful instrument for promoting global harmony. He believed peace started with each individual and from there it could spread. Sri Chinmoy said: “Peace does not mean the absence of war. Peace means a flood of love in the world family.”
Says New Zealand runner Stacey Marsh who has participated in runs in the US, Europe, and Asia “The run is a great vehicle for peace. It brings out the very best in people and promotes the idea that peace begins with each one of us. The more people that hold the torch and offer their good will or support, the faster the world can reach the goal of world peace.”
The peace run passed through Shepparton last Friday with a ceremony held at Queens Gardens involving choirs, poems and a plaque unveiling as Greater Shepparton joining other cities and nations (including Bridgetown, Iceland and South Africa) around the world dedicated to peace as part of the Peace-Blossom programme.
Two refugee students and best friends from Afghanistan who attend Shepparton High School participated in the ceremony and talked about the importance of peace. For Rubina Haidari and Latifa Haidary the sad realities of war meant they had to leave their homeland and they dream of a world full of peace, with Rubina saying "I wish you good health and strength for your important cause and message that you are trying to portray to the world." "Thank you for coming to Shepparton which is a fantastic multicultural town we live in peacefully," added Latifa.
The girls kindly gifted the runners with a mug and pen and most importantly a poem and artwork for peace to inspire the runners on their journey.
Phil Squire
Principal