Dr. Davidson Hepburn presenting his NEW message for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade 2012 to 2022 and beyond.

To view with English subtitles use: http://youtu.be/maPwzfHtASQ

Download a quicktime.mov file for later viewing: 

• http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/ww5tl5

Or Click on language button below for translations page with link to

YouTube videos with subtitles in various languages

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Some Highlights of Davidson Hepburn's encouraging video message.

"World Harmony Run 25th Anniversary: Toward 2022 and a Oneness-World".

Illustrated video with example clips and images from around the world identifies a number of activities the World Harmony Run has undertaken or inspired. This globaltorch relay founded by Sri Chinmoy in 1987, and related initiatives for a culture of peace continue to grow and support important ideals of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and of the entire UN community. The President of UNESCO GeneralConference (2009 - 2011) highlights some he hopes can be further expanded and enriched in the coming decade (2012 to 2022) and bring us closer to a Oneness-World". Dr. Hepburn suggests:
1. Visit World Heritage Sites:
2. Perform Music
3. Create or Display Art and Poetry
4. Value Diversity
5. Support Interfaith Acceptance
6. Honour Role Models
7. Discover New Possibilities
8. Finally, Never Give Up!

Full Text of Video Message from Davidson Hepburn,

President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 

World Harmony Run 25th Anniversary:Toward 2022 and a Oneness-World

Dear Friends,

I offer my warm greetings as we approach the 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and related activities for a culture of peace.

I believe that all global citizens are eagerly looking toward the next decade - 2022 and beyond - as a time of great progress and striking change.

It is imperative that we work together to build a true Oneness-World.
Among recent initiatives to strive toward this goal, the World Harmony Run is one of the most remarkable and far-reaching.

It was launched by Sri Chinmoy in 1987 and even after his passing in 2007, continues to grow, advancing important ideals of UNESCO and of the entire United Nations community.

For my part, I would like to highlight a few specific activities that the World Harmony Run has already undertaken or inspired.

It is my hope that these activities can be further expanded and enriched in the coming decade. 

1. Visit World Heritage Sites:

The Run has visited a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in recent years. Runners and other participants, you perform a great service by encouraging people to experience and value the heritage of others.

2. Perform Music:

The simple but striking World Harmony Run theme song has been performed enthusiastically in many locations. Multilingual musical performances provide joyful ways to express harmony and to share unique talents.

3. Create or Display Art and Poetry:

Harmony-themed art exhibits and poetry events associated with the Run are wonderful occasions to bring people together to express universal aspirations.

4. Value Diversity:

Appreciating diversity strengthens us.

As we exchange and share the wealth of our multifarious cultures in the spirit of peace, we realise that there is far more that unites than divides us.

5. Support Interfaith Acceptance:

Interfaith harmony is important to all civil society.

The World Harmony Run has been welcomed by people of many different religions, beliefs and faith-based communities.

Passing the Harmony Torch is a simple, tangible and powerful way to express love of one's neighbour.

Conveying this message of interfaith harmony and understanding in churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship will surely help foster a culture of peace and a growing feeling of universal oneness.

6. Honour Role Models

The Torch-Bearer Award programme, which acknowledges individual efforts at both the international and grassroots levels, is a wonderful idea.

Please continue to recognize and honour pioneers in peace-building from all age groups so that others may be inspired to emulate and build upon their important contributions.

7. Discover New Possibilities

This last example is most important.

By providing opportunities for individuals and communities to express their hopes for peace, you strengthen the social, cultural and spiritual fabric that connects the entire world family.

Young people as well as older individuals will discover creative new ways to bring forward the best in each of us - ways we have yet to imagine!
Encouraged to make their unique contributions, all members of the world family will help move our dreams closer to reality 

8. Finally, Never Give Up!

All these efforts can renew our shared commitment, so necessary in our sometimes troubled world.

The next decade will inevitably require continuous renewal of our patience, determination and enthusiasm.

No matter how challenging the circumstances ahead, I invite you to take to heart two resounding messages of the founder of this Run.

First, "Never give up!" And always strive to do more.

In Sri Chinmoy's words, "There is only one perfect road, and that road is ahead of you, always ahead of you."

(See links to informal language translations below)

SEE ALSO:

• Video sample of recent local event: http://youtu.be/w6qehMiIWuY"International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony Run" - where students dynamically an surprisingly invoke President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General. You hear the voice of Africa, of Zambia, of Youth.They are NOT looking to countries' presidents or other leaders to change the world. Their "hour has come" and they voice where peace begins. This video includes a short introduction from Davidson Hepburn: "By encouraging young people to express their aspirations for harmony today, the World Harmony Run is surely building the foundation for a culture of peace tomorrow". It is followed by four schools visited in Zambia late in 2010.

• 1979 Year of Child IYC : A precursor to the harmony and peace runs, see link to Historical report of the activities inspired by Sri Chinmoy around the world in support of UN Day, UN Childrens' Fund ( UNICEF ) and the International Year of the Child ( IYC) for 1979 .
http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/un_initiatives/year_of_child

• Links to photos further illustrating Dr. Hepburns main points to be added -- Check back.

Note: The World Harmony Run (formerly the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run):

• founded in 1987, to show that world peace is a dynamic achievable goal;

• seeks to strengthen international friendship and understanding.

• As a symbol of harmony, runners carry a flaming torch, passing it from hand to hand traveling through over 100 nations around the globe; and

• It is the world's largest and longest relay run.

(see more at: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/about

 

Download english text  formatted for adding additional languages. To use for subtitles or dubbing.

• ms word table format document =  http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/images/global/history/2012/whr-25-dhep-4translate-2012-may-27.doc

 Download of WHR 25th Anniversary Badge:

• jpg file (692 - 600 = 105 kb)
• jpg file (886 -768 = 142 kb)
• bigger jpg file (1500-1300 = 284 kb)

Link to Davidson Hepburn previous message "2011 and Beyond. "

 

See  start of the International 25th Anniversary Celebration across from the United Nations at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York.

On 27th April 2012. in many cities around the world, special events marked the WHR 25th Anniversary  

View some early highlights. The United Nations had proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace, and Sri Chinmoy wanted to offer a heartfelt and sincere expression of peace on a global scale. The opening ceremony, broadcast live on NBC-TV's The Today Show.. On April 27, 1987, five minutes of global television time was dedicated for the inaugural Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run with strong support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the UN Secretary-General, celebrities Carl Lewis, Clarence Clemons and Narada Michael Walden, and thousands...Also includes Clips from Philippines; Sahara Desert, Morocco; Botswana; Scotland, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Ukraine, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Great Britain, Colombia, Bahamas, Hungary, Spain, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Portugal, USA