As of September 24, 2011
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6,257 American military killed in Iraq + Afghanistan. See other data at
icasualties.org
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$1,254,293,000,000 - YES, THAT'S OVER ONE TRILLION DOLLARS - and rising (Iraq + Afghanistan, since 2001). Watch the counter at
costofwar.com
September 23, 2007 - Dr. Jane Goodall created Roots & Shoots Day of Peace in 2004 in honor of U.N. International Day of Peace; each year, Roots & Shoots Day of Peace is observed in late September. Roots & Shoots groups around the world fly Giant Peace Dove puppets to celebrate Roots & Shoots Day of Peace for its symbolic meaning. They also plan and implement peace project initiatives to help make the world a better place for animals, the environment and the human community.
Dr. Goodall was appointed a Messenger of Peace in 2002 by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. People selected as Messengers of Peace are widely recognized for their achievements in music, literature, sports and the arts.
To commemorate her appointment, Roots & Shoots members at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point first conceived of and created the Giant Peace Dove puppets. Since then, Roots & Shoots groups have flown doves in over 40 countries around the world.
Check out peacebuttons.info for more.
Past awardees include Clive & Marion Leeman of the Ojai Peace Vigil, Tara Blasco & Lyn Hebenstreit of the Global Resource Alliance, and Sally Carless of Global Village School!
Does it even have meaning anymore?
How do you mean, Sue?
Well, so many strive for peace, and sometimes it seems like treading water. I love that this award exists, I just feel like it doesn’t mean much to those who really need the message. The incentive is already there for those who are working towards a peaceful existence; that is its own reward. I would love to see incentives for peace, for those who ‘don’t get it’.
Thank you for clarifying that, Sue! i definitely hear your “treading water” frustration!
Re: not meaning much to those who “need the message”:
The intent of the award is to spotlight local folks who are creating Peace, as a means of showcasing the diverse ways in which that is defined, in order to create cultural s/heroes out of such folks, and to get their message and work out to the larger community.
Re: the incentive are already there:
Like what, do you think? What is your incentive to work for peace, if it can feel so often hopeless and like treading water? This award is not meant to entice people toward peace so much as recognize them for having come to it themselves.
Re: incentives for those who “don’t get it”:
i’m very intrigued…what do you suggest? What would that look like to you?