The World Peace Flame in Ashland is firing the imaginations of Peace Leaders from Middle School students, Ashland City Leaders to Oregon Legislators. Ashland is catching the attention of the global community. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, and Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace, is coming to Ashland to learn first-hand how Ashland Culture of Peace Commission partners with the city, local non-profits and others to transform the city with the vision of a Culture of Peace. The Ashland Global Peace Conference will give local residents the opportunity to learn more about why Ashland is deserving of the global community's attention by highlighting how our state and local leaders are inspired to work hard to create a culture of peace for their constituents. The views of creating a culture of Peace from the global, national, state, city, community, interpersonal and personal levels will be explored.
The following values are the foundation of this conference.
All participants, speakers, and sponsors are asked to live by them while we are
together, and beyond.
Peace is not an idea, it is a practice. Thank you.
A WORLD THAT WORKS FOR ALL
A community-wide movement dedicated to transforming our attitudes, behaviors and institutions into ones that foster harmonious relationships with each other and the natural world.
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Brings heart and compassion to conversations, decision-making, and systems.
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Recognizes the inherent value of each person, the diversity within community.
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Invites everyone’s participation, relying on the natural gifts of each community member.
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Encourages mutual respect so that all residents and visitors feel safe, heard, and empowered.
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Establishes trust through holding all persons responsible for their actions.
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Employs compassionate listening to air feelings, viewpoints, and concerns.
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Discovers solutions through collaborative exploration.
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Emphasizes the universal values of kindness, generosity, love and beauty, caring and curiosity.
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Seeks larger truths and broader perspectives to better comprehend local and world affairs.
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Values and nurtures all of life, honoring the environment and promoting humanity’s balanced place in the web of existence.
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Builds upon the foundation of existing groups contributing to the wellness of the world.
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Creates an emerging, evolving, living model for thriving together as fellow humans.
Program
Ashland Global Peace Conference
Setting the conference framework: The iconic symbol of Unity -
the World Peace Flame inspires personal commitment to Peace.
INTRODUCTION – David Wick, Co-founder, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission, MC
WELCOME – John Stromberg, Mayor, City of Ashland
SPECIAL MESSAGE from U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon
Introduction of the World Peace Flame in Ashland – Irene Kai, Co-founder, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission
A Special Message
US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon with a special message to the Ashland Global Peace Conference
Finley Taylor, Flame Keeper of the World Peace Flame in Ashland, Oregon
Learning what it means to "Be the Flame"
Keynote – The Global Movement for the Culture of Peace
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdury
Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations,
and Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace
A message from the United States Institute of Peace: A Common Vision and a Common Mission
Dr. David Yang
Vice President, Center for Applied Conflict Transformation United States Institute of Peace
Read Dr. Yang's Opening Remarks
The Oregon State Panel
Jeff Golden – Senator Oregon State Legislature
Pam Marsh – Representative Oregon State Legislature
Rich Rosenthal – Ashland City Councilor
Tighe O’Meara – Ashland Chief of Police
Sandra Slattery – Executive Director, Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Kelly Raymond – Superintendent, Ashland School District
The Ashland City Panel
Creating Infrastructures for Peace
Dr. Saul Arbess
Director, Canadian Peace Initiative and Co-Founder and Director,
Global Alliance For Ministries and Infrastructure For Peace
David Zaslow – Rabbi, Interfaith Community
Sheila Clough – CEO, Asante Ashland Community Hospital
Linda Schott – President, Southern Oregon University
Steven Saslow – CEO and Publisher, Rosebud Media
Dee Anne Everson – Executive Director, United Way of Jackson County
Amrita Ramanan – Director of Literary Development and Dramaturgy, Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Rogue Valley Community Panel
Summary, Inspiration: Be The Flame
Will Wilkinson and Chris Harding of Thriving Leadership Academy
A summary of the key points of the conference, followed by an invitation to participants to apply what they’ve learned, and specific action steps to integrate it all.
Light the World Peace Flame Candle and read the Invocation inspired by the World Peace Flame
Irene Kai leads everyone in lighting their personal World Peace Flame Candle and reading the invocation inspired by the World Peace Flame and written by Irene.
This is a deeply inspiring and meaningful moment for everyone.
We are the Flame!