USA 26 April: Atlanta, GA - Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, the Jewel of the South
Even though we would only spend one afternoon in Atlanta, we had some meaningful experiences we would never forget.
In the morning we visited the Montessori School at Emory.
Only half the children were present as some were on a field trip during that time. The children and teachers that were present were quite enthusiastic and excited about us running into their playground to meet with them.
The children and teachers alike gladly participated in our various events including a fun run around the playground as they followed their teacher Maryanne.
Some of the children also demonstrated an advanced knowledge of geography as they tried to guess our country or state of origin.
Thank you so much for such heart-felt enthusiasm!
As we made our way from Olympic Park to the King Center, we stopped for myriad photo opportunities.
In the afternoon we were able to visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.
One of the most impressive quotes from Dr. King that I could remember seeing inscribed on one of the memorial plaques was, in part, “…now is the time to change from the quicksand of social injustice to the solid rock of human dignity.”
We had some time to visit the historic Ebenezer Church which Dr. King and his father both preached at for many years. His whole family was active in the church activities including his mother who was actively involved in the music programs.
After taking in some of the historically meaningful sites here, we were welcomed by Dr. King’s daughter, Dr. Bernice King, who is the only sibling to follow in her father's footsteps by becoming a minister. She is also an attorney, a community leader a much sought after public speaker and the CEO of the King Center.
She eloquently shares her message from her book, "Hard Questions, Heart Answers"...
..."as individuals we must do more to unite all people".
We held a ceremony for her and her colleagues, friends and other visitors present at the time in which she was presented the World Harmony Torch Bearer Award. The Award recognizes those in our world community who exemplify unity and peace among all peoples.
She then kindly led us in a procession with the torch around the Memorial where her father and mother are both entombed.
For our evening meal we enjoyed the fabulous food at the Flying Bisquit in Atlanta. Joseph and his staff were very welcoming as they served us with genuine enthusiasm and were supportive of our mission to inspire harmony in the communities that we are fortunate enough to visit.
Thank you so much to the beautiful Crowne Plaza Atlanta Ravinia. The women's team was really impressed and sad they could not stay longer.
The men's team was very kindly hosted by the historic Emory Inn. It was such a classy experience.
Video Message 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".
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages
- 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
Team Members:
Atulya Berube (San Diego), Jagadhata Amrhien (Chicago), Teekhnata Berube (USA), Arpan DeAngelo (New York), Shobhavati Davies (New Zealand), Jana Duskova (Czech Republic), Tom McGuire (New Zealand), Katya Percheklii (Ukraine), Larissa Zub (Belarus), Zuzana Klaskova (Czech Republic), Matthias Eckerle (Germany)
Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.
Gallery: See more images!
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