The entire team would like extend our gratitude to Erica Lebbert of Calgary and Marla Buchanan of Victoria, BC for your extreme kindness and generousity.  Erica covered the cost of our stay at the Days Inn in Cochrane, Alberta and Marla did the same for our stay in Calgary at the Holiday Inn.  Thank you both for your generousity and unique support of the World Harmony Run!  We hope we can meet you out on the road with the Torch in 2014!

Today was the last day of the western leg of the World Harmony Run. None of the team members could believe it came so fast. I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun... and meeting so many great and inspiring people along the way. We couldn't have asked for a better three weeks! We've experienced every kind of weather from Tofino to Calgary, ran some of the most beautiful roads I've ever seen and were met with an amazing amount of enthusiasm everywhere we went- Calgary was no exception!

We started our day at the Millenium Skatepark where some eager (and brave) skaters tried a couple of tricks while holding the torch; we also got a BMXer to carry the torch.

Then we ran a beautiful route along the Bow River over the new Peace Bridge into Eau Claire.

We had a small but lovely reception where we were greeted by City Councillor Shane Keating.

We presented him with a World Harmony Run T-shirt and he shared some kind words.

We presented Andrew Phung with a Torch-Bearer Award for his work as a program director at Youth Central, an organisation that provides fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth. He is dedicated to inspiring and empowering youth through community involvement and his exuberance and passion for what he does is contagious. He himself started out as a volunteer at Loose Moose Theatre and has since become one of their senior improvisers. You can see a TEDx Talk by Andrew Phung here.

Other members of Youth Central passed the torch and accepted a certificate of appreciation.

We were very happy to see Helen Jensen the mother of Prapti, World Harmony Run Canadian coordinator.

Also present were Laurel and Les, parents of Brahmata (team captain and Alberta event coordinator) proudly holding the torch and sporting their World Harmony Run T-shirts.

A brief interview with City TV.

Following this, the team jumped back onto the Bow River bike path and ran to the Calgary Zoo.

As usual, we picked up some runners and made lots of friends along the way.

And finally we arived to the Calgary Zoo.

Pictured above is team member Daniel happy to meet his Aunt in Calgary.

We felt very honored when we were escorted past the long line-up for the penguin exhibit.

There we presented Kevin Strange with a Torch-Bearer Award.

He accepted it on behalf of the Calgary Zoo for their conservation efforts, rehabilitation of injured animals and youth education programs. This unique zoo is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes harmony with people, animals and the environment.

The team really enjoyed exploring all of the great exhibits; it was the perfect way to spend our last couple of hours together.

Amburoha looks fantastic as a penguin!

The tigers were Dimitriy's favorite!

I think I speak for the whole team when I say that I am so grateful to have been part of this section of the World Harmony Run. It was such a joy to help spread the simple and powerful message that this run embodies on the year of its 25th anniversary. It was amazing to see all of the participants- from mayors to school children- make a sincere wish for peace and harmony on the torch. We thank all of you who became members of the Harmony Run team by making your wishes, running with us, taking steps toward creating harmony within yourselves and your communities or simply repeating our motto: "Harmony begins with me!" This run could not happen without your spirited involvement. The World Harmony Run team will carry all of your wishes in the torch as they make their way across eastern Canada in a few days.

-Brahmata 

---

Video Mesage from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World". With FRENCH subtitles.

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

See also:

• Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!

• Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min

 

---

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

---

Team Members:
Brahmata Michael (Canada), Daniel Stewart (Canada), Yatkara Aleksapolskyy (Ukraine), Sarvagata Ukrainskyi (Ukraine), Dimitriy Dudko (Ukraine), Varunavi (Slovakia), Amburoha (Ukraine), Gautami (Slovakia), Manoshri (Slovakia)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

< Canada 7 May

Canada 16 May >