As part of our launch for 2012, as well as celebrating our 25th Anniversary, we were delighted to be able to present the World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award to Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle. Read all about it...

Kaleve Iosefa, Executive Director of the Mayor's office of Culture and Arts began by welcoming everyone and introducing the Hawai'ian chant.

Dean Harvest offered a powerful and inspiring Hawai'ian chant to officially start the program.

Executive Director Salil Wilson, serving as Master of Ceremonies, thanked the City of Honolulu for so kindly hosting the official launch of the 2012 World Harmony Run - the 25th Anniversary. He also drew attention to the idea that we will be carrying the spirit of Aloha to all seven continents this year.

We gave special thanks to Joanne Tachibana, Director of the United Nations Association of Hawaii, who has been enormously supportive and is partnering with one of our first events in 2012 in Kapiolani Park on January 2nd.

Shambhu Vineberg, fondly referred to as the "first and foremost Executive Director" by Founder, Sri Chinmoy, was on hand to reflect on the incredible journey of 25 years of the Run's existence.

Repesentatives from about 30 of the over 100 participating countries we will visit this year were present for the launch.

Eric Petersen, editor of "Light and Liberty", a fabulous book of Thomas Jefferson's writings, spoke about Jefferson's feelings on light, liberty and peace, finishing with a very appropriate quote from our third President, whose prayer was to "Run the Race of Peace."

We were honored to have Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle (left) in attendence.

Our international choir performed the Peace Run song, the World Harmony Run song and a Hawai'i song, all composed by Sri Chinmoy, founder of the World Harmony Run. Here are the words to the Hawai'i song:

Hawai'i, Hawai'i, Hawai'i, Hawai'i

O, eastern sun, O, western sky!

Quality-heart, Quantity-mind:

Truth-seekers, life-lovers,

In you find.

Because this part of the Programme was indoors we were able to show the Video Message from Dr. Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011)of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)World Harmony Run 25th Anniversary:Toward 2022 and a Oneness-World This includes clips of the run from around the world and  now exists on youtube with subtitles in many languages (links at end below)

Next we had the honor of presenting Mayor Carlisle with our World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer award in recognition of both his long years of unstinting service to the City of Honolulu as well as his visionary leadership in his current position Mayor of Honolulu.

Mayor Carlisle expressed his profound gratitude and then shared some heartfelt reflections on how he finds peace in the abundant beauty of Hawai's nature, particularly while surfing and enjoying the sunrise over Diamond Head. He went on to share some recent experiences from a trip to Japan where he visited both Hiroshima and Nagasaki and was confronted by the "madness of war" but was reassured to discover the harmony that can come from the lessons these experiences can teach us.

Interestingly, in 2010, the Asian leg of the World Harmony Run began in Hiroshima and finished in Nagasaki. You can watch the videos of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki events.

Next we went outside to the "Skygate" scuplture for a ceremonial lighting of the torches.

Mayor Carlisle lit torches held by representatives of the seven continents we will be visiting in 2012.

He then taught the "Shaka" to Harashita from Japan and Shambhani from Guatemala.

Dean Harvest, very kindly closed the ceremony with a Hawai'ian chant.

Kaleve Iosefa, Mayor Carlisle and Salil Wilson held the torch with one of the multi lingual banners used by the run. This one is English and Spanish and has the symbol of the International Year of Forests (IYF) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly for 2011..

The beautiful Skygate sculpture.

Just a few of the larger than life Christmas decorations which are outside the Honolulu Hale.

The Honolulu Hale.

Eric presented "Light and Liberty" to Mayor Carlisle.

Salil being interviewed by Jim Fulton.

Dean makes a new friend from Russia.

Pratishruti from the Ducth Antilles enjoys the island paradise.

Namana (Holland) and Vandya (Serbia) pack up the country sashes.

Akanda from Mongolia was all smiles.

Purnahuti from Guatemala looks forward to the Central American Run.

The media team compares notes. THank everyone for a wonderful beginning to 2012..

 

The World Harmony Run proudly supports the International Year of Youth (IYY) and the International Year of Forests (IYF) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

See the recent 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! 

See also the UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Centre support for IY of Forests.  ... Convention for conservation of forest biodiversity. (more)

Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min 

See also:  Music Scores;  Arrangements;   Song in Non-English Languages;  Schools Arrangements and Performances

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*New :  Video Message from Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO "World Harmony Run 25th Anniversary:Toward 2022 and a Oneness-World"  shown at event - http://youtu.be/GGsXXWWFdGY  

Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 11 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25

or Click on language button for informal translations and link to separate videos with language subtitles:

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– Salil Wilson

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Gallery: See more images!

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