The 2007 International Peace Garden will be dedicated in Bern, Switzerland during a gala ceremony hosted by Mayor Alexander Tschappat on Thursday, May 3rd,2007.
During the 2006 Peace Garden Dedication in Dublin, Ireland Bern was nominated by then Lord Mayor Catharine Byrne.
Switzerland is being honored for her strong humanitarian tradition and contributions to the development of international good practice. Mayor Byrne pointed out that Switzerland’s key foreign and development policy objectives include alleviating hardship and fighting poverty alongside fostering the peaceful coexistence of peoples, promoting respect for human rights, democracy and preserving natural resources.
More than half of the recipient countries of the International Peace Gardens are members of the European Union. The International Peace Gardens offer a lasting link for participating countries and capital cities to open 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.
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 with this inscription “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 charitable volunteer organization established in 1992. Our mission is to celebrate the achievements made by countries toward peace and democracy. We strive to give youth the opportunity to learn, to help others and broaden their knowledge of world cultures. We offer a unique mechanism for capital cities to trade ideas for fostering non violence, public safety, conflict resolution and at the same time build bridges for foreign trade. Participating countries include Canada, USA, Poland, Hungary, France, Slovenia, South Africa, Mozambique, Costa Rica, Netherlands, Japan, Austria, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Ireland and now Switzerland.
Last fall students of 26 students from Laubegg School participated in the planting of the Bern Peace Garden. These children will be on hand for the dedication on May 3rd.
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