Chisholm Primary School, in the southern suburbs of Canberra, gave the World Harmony Run one of its loudest and most energetic receptions. As we jogged to the assembly hall, we could hear the drums of "Nankama," (meaning: "born to play drums") the school’s drum band. Led by one of the teachers, Dan, these children were obviously having the time of their lives, greeting the runners with African-style rhythms.

Special guest at the school was Stephen Pratt, pictured here with the School Principal. Steve Pratt, now a Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly for the seat of Brindabella, is no stranger to world conflict. As a former Major in the Australian Infantry and CARE Australia worker, Mr Pratt won fame for his ordeals (and ultimately, his survival) in Yugoslavia. So he spoke from heartfelt personal experience on the relevance and urgency of the Run's goals.

Again to the beat of the drums, he accompanied the students and runners out to the school sports field, where pairs of students - one “big” child, one “little” child - ran as a relay with the World Harmony Torch, while their classmates lined the field. Dan stood in the middle of the field, still playing his bongos to embody the power and the dynamism of world harmony.

Our second team this morning began the day visiting the year 7s and 8s at Stromlo High School, at the base of Mt Taylor in Waramanga, a school which is surrounded by many picturesque nature reserves.

Their time was limited so our presentation was short, yet the ideals of the Run were absorbed immediately. Although the children seemd a little reluctant about the singing, we managed to catch a number of students humming the World Harmony Run Song tune as they headed out to the oval. Two classes of around 100 students formed a symbolic circle and passed the torch from one to another. It was inspiring to us to see how the monumental flame could bring forward the heart of each and every student.

Team 3 meanwhile went to Red Hill Primary School, quite a large primary school with over 250 children, including children from 55 different countries. The teachers and children had joyfully embraced the theme of world harmony, the whole school gathered in the courtyard for a short ceremony.

Our special guest was Deb Foskey, Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly who spoke beautifully on the importance of harmony in our everyday lives and for our future quality of life in Australia. After the presentation of a commemorative certificate to the Principal, Helen Cant, all of the children began singing and dancing to the theme song, then in a throng, starting with the kinder children the whole school followed the runners with the torch and went for a run around the big oval.

As they ran the children handed the torch to their friends. The kinders really can run fast. At the finish we were surrounded by 250 laughing and smiling faces. Back they went to class singing and dancing, run, run, run, run, run, run.

All our runners converged on our next destination, Canberra Grammar School in Red Hill, to visit a bunch of very excited pre-school children, joined by another cheerful group of primary school students.

We led the children in singing the World Harmony Run song, and they were nearly jumping out of their skins as they were invited to perform their own actions to accompany the words of the song. This joyful energy was let loose as the two groups took turns following Nigel with the torch around the oval, or more precisely, they took Nigel for a run around the oval!

It was a mutual exchange of joy.

Next stop was St Joseph's School in O'Connor. The whole school assembled in the quadrangle to greet the World Harmony Run team and the torch to their school, which was presented to the School Principal.

The kids sang the World Harmony Run song with us, and then sparked into full enthusiasm mode when it was suggested they take the torch for a run around the oval.

Hands clamoured for the torch and several groups held the torch together before the team had to take their leave for the next destination.

We had a similar warm reception at St Thomas of Aquinas Primary School in Charnwood. When they saw us arrive with the torch the teacher brought out the kinder children to greet us as they were too excited to wait for us to come in to the Assembly Hall. Our special guest was Bill Stefaniak, MLA for the seat of Ginninderra, whose children attend the school.

Mr Stefaniak, a long-time supporter of the World Harmony Run, as well as a noted rugby player, donned a World Harmony Run T-shirt and eagerly ran with the torch and the harmony runners into the assembly where the whole school was waiting for us. We were warmly welcomed by the principal and staff and rows of beautiful smiling faces. Again the children immediately understood the simple pure message of harmony. We taught the children the theme song and they enthusiastically and spontaneously added actions to the words. Bill Stefaniak led the whole school for a jog around the oval with the torch.

Then the whole school assembled again for presentations and commemorative photos and special thanks.

Our last school for the day was Rivett Primary School. Again, the whole school came out to welcome the runners and participate. The children sang us a charming song of welcome which featured the world 'hello' in many languages. It was hard to keep the children still as it was nearly time to go home, so they loved to go for a run around the oval with the torch, each class passing it around as they ran in small groups.

Special thanks to all the teachers and principals who allowed us to visit their schools and bring their whole school together to celebrate world harmony in a fun, spontaneous joyful way. It was a lovely experience for all of the Harmony Runners. Thanks, Canberra...

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