Who can believe that it was 20 years ago that we dedicated this bridge linking the sister cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul together as a Sri Chinmoy Peace Bridge. The former mayors of Minneapolis, Sharon Sayles Belton and St. Paul, Jim Scheibel met us once again to commemorate the occasion.

Even the weather was reminding us of how it felt like it did back than cold, windy, and threatening rain. But our spirits remained high as we talked about the old days and how back then we all were working for peace in our own way, some as dedicated public officials others running for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run, and how now 20 years later here we are still engaged in endeavors for peace even though out of office, while others are still running The World Harmony Run. The Torch Bearers Award was presented to both Sharon and Jim for the inspiring work that they did and are still doing for the world community.

Missing from the event was Don Fraser former Mayor of Minneapolis, and Bill Wilson, former President of St. Paul City Council, who were both very instrumental in getting the bridge dedicated. We met up with Bill later in the day at his charter school that he runs and honored him with the Torch Bearer Award. Although we missed Bill at the bridge it felt like we were to meet him at his school and hear from his peers about all the inspiring things he is still doing for peace in our community especially with our future generations of peace dreamers. The Harmony Run will be seeing more of Bill and his school next year during the US Run.

In the afternoon the team met up with children at the Oxford Community Center in St. Paul.

We watched a video and talked about what Peace and Harmony means to us and why a bunch of big kids would run around the world talking about Peace and Harmony.

Everyone was given an opportunity to hold the torch and do a little run around the gym with it.

A special thank you to Victor Mister for allowing us the opportunity to meet with the kids.

In Minneapolis we met with Rehti Mekha and some kids at the Blaisdell YMCA, this time we got the opportunity to meet outside and watch the kids play on the gym before starting our program.

The wonderful thing about hanging out with kids and playing with them, is how it brings our own child like qualities to the fore as well as our smiles.

Thank you all for making this a very unforgettable day.

After all the activities we stopped by the Sri Chinmoy Peace Capital sign in Saint Paul.

The World Harmony Run proudly supports the International Year of Youth (IYY) and the International Year of Forests (IYF) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

See the recent 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! 

See also the UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Centre support for IY of Forests.  ... Convention for conservation of forest biodiversity. (more)

– Yuyudhan Hoppe

Team Members:
Runners, Daulot and Nayak (Seattle), Prahkara (Atlanta), Pritika, Meghabhuti, and Yuyudhan (Minneapolis) , Malijanga and Sveto (Bismark)

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