Today we had a special event in Ottawa: students from three schools joined the WHR team and took a step for harmony and peace.

The first school we visited was Corpus Christi Elementary School, where we also met with a class from Mutchmor Public School. As we ran into the gym, the children greeted us very exuberantly. Although they were a relatively small group, I think they cheered louder than any other school!

They loved watching the World Harmony Run presentation video...

... and had lots of interesting questions after.

Two students from Mutchmor School read out some wonderful ‘Harmony' poems!

We offered them our certificate of apreciation the end of the presentation.

Then it was time to go outside, hold the torch and run for harmony!

We ran a couple of laps around the school yard.

Everyone was really excited and happy!

They gave us a really delicious homemade banana bread and a card to thank us for coming to their school.

We took off towards Hopewell School and met up with Richard Simpson, the Vice Principal, who ran with us the rest of the way. We arrived to a big group of cheering students who were all lined up along the sidewalk. A few of them were holding high a banner that said "Go Mr. Simpson!"

We went into the school and gave our short presentation to a group of attentive students. Since we didn't have a microphone we were grateful that they were not as loud as the last school!

Carrie Bastas presented a Torch-Bearer Award to her fellow Vice Principal, Richard Simpson. She spoke about how he genuinely cares about all of the students and how he constantly acts selflessly, motivated not by money or recognition but only by the intrinsic reward. This did not surprise us, as his youthful energy and cheerfulness stood out right from the moment we met him!

We thanked them with our certificate of appreciation; Mr. Simpson held the torch for each student to touch and make their wish for world harmony on the way out of the gym.

We really enjoyed our time at Hopewell School and we HOPE WE'LL be back soon!

Here is a poem by a student named David:

Helping people around Canada
Awesome people passing torches
Running around the world
Making lots of friendship
Ontario is counting on you!
No more violence.
You could do it!

Video Mesage 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". With FRENCH subtitles.

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

• 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

See start of the International 25th Anniversary Celebration across from the United Nations at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York.

On 27th April 2012. in many cities around the world, special events marked the WHR 25th Anniversary

View some early highlights. The United Nations had proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace, and Sri Chinmoy wanted to offer a heartfelt and sincere expression of peace on a global scale. The opening ceremony, broadcast live on NBC-TV's The Today Show.. On April 27, 1987, five minutes of global television time was dedicated for the inaugural Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run with strong support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the UN Secretary-General, celebrities Carl Lewis, Clarence Clemons and Narada Michael Walden, and thousands...Also includes Clips from Philippines; Sahara Desert, Morocco; Botswana; Scotland, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Ukraine, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Great Britain, Colombia, Bahamas, Hungary, Spain, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Portugal, USA

Team Members:
Hemangini (Canada), Gautami (Slovakia), Bramata (Canada), Sanchita (Canada), Jyotish (Canada), Sarvagata Ukrainskyi (Ukraine), Dimitriy Dudko (Ukraine), Aum (India), Yasodhara (Canada), Anavi (Canada), Menaka (Algeria)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.