The 2006 International Peace Garden will be dedicated in Dublin, Ireland during a gala ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor Cllr. Catherine Byrne on Wednesday, April 26th, 2006. Festivities will include a special performance by RTE' Co'r na nO'g, a youth choir praised for their recordings and their many opera and theatre appearances throughout Ireland.
During the 2005 Peace Garden Dedication in Nicosia, Cyprus Dublin was nominated by Nicosia's Mayor Michael Zampelas. Mayor Zampelas noted that Cyprus and Ireland share many common threads.
In 2005 Ireland celebrated 50 years of membership in the United Nations. They have maintained a continued presence in UN Peacekeeping Operations. Ireland Aid reaches out to developing countries to provide emergency assistance, quickly and effectively, to natural disasters, famine, war and civil strife. Dublin hosted "Building Bridges through Capital Cities" in April of 2005 to explore economic, social and cultural links between capital cities and the new accession of states of the EU. More than half of the recipient countries of the International Peace Gardens are members of the EU, the majority being capital cities. The International Peace Gardens offer a lasting link for participating countries to opening doors for trade, commerce and cultural exchange.
Annually, the Foundation co-ordinates the passing of the Peace Garden to a capital city, guided by a nomination put forth by the preceding year's recipient.
The Dublin Peace Garden is located in St. Patrick's Park beside the historical St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
“It is my privilege as Lord Mayor of Dublin to dedicate St. Patrick’s Park as the International Peace Garden for Dublin. Peace through cultural exchange is a simple idea but a powerful one. Young people through their enthusiasm and vibrancy break down barriers and encourage tolerance and hope for our future. So will this garden symbolize a place of growth and haven of peace in this enthusiastic and vibrant city of ours” said Lord Mayor Cllr. Catherine Byrne.
Canada initiated the dedication of the first Peace Garden, which is now making its way around the world in a multi-cultural chain of global friendship. At each peace garden a permanent stone marker is placed which is written "Let the seeds of peace begin here and spread through out the world."
The International Peace Garden Foundation, based in the United States, is a non-profit organization established in 1992 to advance peace through global friendship. Participating countries include Canada, the USA, Poland, Hungary, France, Slovenia, South Africa, Mozambique, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Japan, Austria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and now Ireland.
Last October youth members of Down Syndrome Ireland, UN Youth Schools Programme & Peace Child Ireland, assisted the Lord Mayor in the planting of the bulbs in St. Patrick's Park. This was the first time youth organizations were invited to participate. We were delighted and know that this will set a prescedent for future Peace Gardens. Our mission is to set a lasting example for our youth to learn, to help others and broaden their knowledge of world cultures. The opportunities for building bridges of understanding are enormous…", said Savage.
We acknowledge with pride the next Peace Garden will be planted in Bern, Switzerland, Spring 2007.
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