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We propose that "Bells Ringing for World Peace Through Reverence for Life" be heard throughout the world in the year 2000, starting on the
International Day of Peace. This is observed on the day when the
United Nations General Assembly opens.
The International Day of Peace was founded in 1981, when the United
Nations General Assembly, recalling that the promotion of peace
is among its main purposes, in conformity with its charter, decided
that it would be appropriate to "devote time to concentrate the
efforts of the United Nations and its Member States, as well as
of the whole of mankind, to promote the ideals of peace and to
give positive evidence of their commitment to peace in all viable
ways."
The World Peace Bell, the largest free-swinging bell in the world,
weighing 66,000 pounds, will be installed in 1999 at the Millennium
Monument in Newport, Kentucky. This bell, a symbol of freedom
and peace, was designed and cast by the world renowned Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, in association with Pierre Paccard in Annecy,
France. The Verdin Company is the world's largest supplier of
bells, carillons, and clocks.
On the International Day of Peace a ceremony will be held at the
Millennium Peace Tower in Newport, when the World Peace Bell will
start ringing, to be followed by bells of all kinds throughout
the United States and the world.
We have met with officials of the State of Kentucky, the Millennium
Monument Company, Greater Cincinnati 2000, and Mr. James R. Verdin,
President of the Verdin Company. All have pledged their support
to Symposium 2000 and for our "Bells Ringing for World Peace Through Reverence for Life" on the International Day of Peace in 2000.
United Nations and Hiroshima Peace Bells
While the Peace bells at the United Nations and in Hiroshima are
focal points for celebrating peace, we believe that there will
be many thousands of "Bells Ringing for World Peace Through Reverence for Life" around the world with a potential listening audience of one billion
people. Bells will be heard in tiny hamlets, major metropolises,
and world capitols. A stronger statement for peace could not be
made by the people of the world. The sounds of bells ringing will
transcend all boundaries and speak as one global voice.
The United Nations has declared the year 2000 as the International
Year for a Culture of Peace. There are nearly a thousand organizations
and institutions in more than 120 countries campaigning for peace.
Symposium 2000 and the "Bells Ringing for World Peace Through Reverence for Life" will be the dynamic culmination of hundreds of world-wide peace
events held throughout 2000. Here is a rare opportunity for peace
in the new millennium.
We live in uncertain times and each of us must do what we can
to establish peace and bring about the abolishment of nuclear
weapons. We must endeavor to bring an end to neighborhood violence
and to precarious environmental and global economic conditions.
We have daily reminders of countless other injustices. Peace is
possible if only we listen in our hearts to the words of Nobel
Peace Laureate Albert Schweitzer: World Peace through Reverence
for Life.
If you wish to participate in the "Bells Ringing for World Peace Through Reverence for Life," please e-mail your intent along with your address and data on
your bells to Robert Stone, Worldwide Coordinator for Bells Ringing for Peace
at: iam@bellsouth.net |
