Canberra, ACT

The Peace Run around Australia has been a journey, outwardly around the continent and inwardly into the heart of Australia. But we are only part of a whole world, and from this discovery of our own good qualities we must explore and expand into the beautiful worlds of our Brother and Sister Nations. In a symbolic "Peace Run Around the World," the Peace Run Team took the Peace-Torch around 56 participating Embassies and High Commissions of Canberra.

In order to include so many countries, the team visited the first 11 Embassies on Tuesday 12th August (see previous day's report), and for the remaining 45 Missions, divided into two for the morning.

TEAM A

Team A started in the suburb of Deakin. First stop of the morning was the High Commission of Botswana, where Acting High Commissioner Collen Diane received the Peace Torch.

Botswana High Commission staff with the Peace Run team.

Botswana mission then brought their flag along to walk the Peace Torch to the next Mission just up the road, Solomon Islands.

Botswana passes the Torch to Solomon Islands.

The High Commissioner of Solomon Islands, His Excellency Mr Robert Sisilo, accepted the Torch on the front steps.

Solomon Islands High Commissioner Mr Robert Sisilo addresses the team.

High Commissioner Sisilo then carried the Peace Torch across the road to Mauritius High Commission ...

... where he hands the Torch over to Mauritius High Commissioner, Ms Prema Appadu.

The High Commission of Mauritius offers water to the runners, while High Commissioner, Ms Prema Appadu (on the left) greets the team.

Mauritius representative, Urmila Ramdin was accompanied by her son on the walk across the road to ...

... present the Peace Torch to the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Her Excellency Ms Jana Tyrer.

Czech Nationals and Peace-Lovers: Jana Dušková - Peace Run team, Veronika Berovská - Czech Embassy Administrative Officer and runner,  Her Excellency Jana Tyrer - Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Australia and Nina Cenkova - Peace-Run team.

The Czech Ambassador Jana Tyrer chats with Peace Run Ambassador Jana Dušcová.

Veronika Berovská joined the running team to carry the Peace Torch on behalf of the Embassy of the Czech Republic.

At the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina: His Excellency Mr. Kemal Muftic, Ambassador.

His Excellency Mr. Kemal Muftic was happy to discuss the aims of the Peace Run in his native language with team member Gianluca Marangon from neighbouring Croatia ...

... and to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Peace Run team, while the runners were served water and juice.

His Excellency Mr. Kemal Muftic at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina then brought the Peace Torch to Timor-Leste ...

... where the Torch was received by Defence Attaché Joao Da Silva (with torch) and Security Attaché Gonçalves Da Cruz.

Peaec runner Roni Da Oliveira (Brazil) discusses the Peace Run in Portuguese with the attachés.

At Timor-Leste Embassy.

The Timor-Leste attachés conduct the singing of the Peace Run song.

Timor Leste then brings the torch to Cyprus...

... where Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Nikolaus Varellas received the Torch and Certificate of Appreciation.

At Cyprus High Commission.

Cyprus representatives then brought the Peace Torch along the street to the Fijiian High Commission ...

... where the torch was received by Mere Uluivueda – First Secretary.

The Fijian delegation with the Cyprus delegation and Peace Run team.

Fiji and Cyprus now join the team to carry the Torch to the next country ...

First Secretary Mere Uluivueda brings the torch to Micronesia, where it is received by the Ambassador, Her Excellency Jane J Chigiyal.

Micronesia staff members, Myjolynne Kim and Prenty Carl join their Ambassador Chigiyal and the team.

The Ambassador of Micronesia, then graciously walks the Peace Torch all the way to Africa....

... where she presents the Torch to Deputy Head of Ethiopia Mission, Mr Anwar Muktar Mohammed.

At the Embassy of Ethiopia, the Certificate of Appreciation is held by Mrs Ayuntu Tamiru Ayana, Public and Economic Diplomacy Officer.

Mr Sonam Tobgay, Head of Chancery and Ms Jingme Wangmo, Second Secretary of the Royal Bhutanese Embassy receive the Peace Torch.

Outside the Royal Bhutanese Embassy.

A representative kindly receives the Peace Torch at the High Commission of the Kingdom of Tonga.

Jenny Chen, ACT Branch Executive Director of the Australia China Business Council (ACBC) at the gates of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Yarralumla, happily received the Peace Torch on behalf of the Chinese Embassy and all the people of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

The Peace Run team with Jenny Chen.

Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Manon Dumas receives the Peace Torch outside the High Commission of Canada.

Ms Dumas had seen the Peace Run team running, while she was driving in southern New South Wales just a few days ago, and had been looking forward to meeting the runners in person.

Ms Dumas now sets off to bring the Torch to her next door neighbour ...

... the High Commission of Papua New Guinea, where the Torch is received by ...

Papua New Guinea High Commissioner Mr Jhon Kali, CMG OBE.

Outside the distinctive Papua New Guinea High Commission.

Roni de Oliveira is one of 3 team members who have carried the Peace Torch the entire 15,500 kilometres around Australia. Roni arrives at his own Embassy, Brazil.

Marina de Andrade, Embassy of Brazil, greets the Peace Run team.

The Peace Run team at the Embassy of Brazil.

Chatting in Portuguese.

Mr Reupena Matauiau is delighted to receive the Peace Torch at the High Commission of Samoa.

Mr Reupena Matauiau is the only diplomat of Samoa currently in Canberra, so is running the Mission as a "one-man show."

Mr Reupena Matauiau receives the Peace Run Certificate of Appreciation from Jana Dušková.

Mr Matauiau was not able to run with us today as he was manning many stations. The team ran from Samoa, up the street towards a thunderous welcome at the embassy of Indonesia ...

... where the team was welcomed by the entire staff of 50 standing outside their Embassy, cheering enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.

The Deputy Head of Mission, Ms Lintang Paramitasari, spoke eloquently and passionately in concert with the Peace Run's purpose and goals.

All staff at Embassy of Indonesia were eager to grasp the Peace Torch.

Indonesia.

Arriving at the palatial High Commission of South Africa.

Peace Run team representative, Balarka Robinson, who lived in South Africa for 20 years, presents the Peace Torch to Mr Leonard Khoza, Acting High Commissioner on the steps of the High Commission of South Africa.

South African Acting High Commissioner, Leonard Khoza.

Mr Khoza spoke powerfully on South Africa's dedication to a world of peace.

The South Africa High Commission presented the Peace Run team with scarves in the colours of the South African flag.

A certificate of genuine appreciation.

Peace Run Team South Africa.

The Embassy of Mexico is blessed with beautiful gardens and a lovely entrance.

Mr. Santiago Cortés Alcocer, Head of Political and Cultural Affairs at the Embassy of Mexico listens to Pēteris Seso's experiences on the Peace Run around Australia.

At the Embassy of Mexico with Mr. Santiago Cortés Alcocer.

At the High Commission of Malaysia with Mr Khairul Gadafi Kamaludin, Deputy High Commissioner.

Mr Khairul Gadafi Kamaludin, with his wife, has only arrived in Canberra one month ago, and was delighted to officiate at this reception.

Mr Khairul Gadafi Kamaludin, Deputy High Commissioner of Malaysia and his wife, who came out especially to greet the running team.

TEAM B

"Each nation has the capacity to fulfil all nations through self-giving. Here at the United Nations, each nation shall offer its illumining capacities and fulfilling qualities to all the other nations. Together all nations will walk, together all nations will run, together all nations will fly and dive towards the same goal, the goal of everlasting Reality."

• Sri Chinmoy

Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium,

5 April 1973

Team B continued our "Journey around the World" in the suburb of O'Malley, where we were greeted at the Embassy of Romania.

Roxana Magdici, our Romanian Peace Runner, is happy to speak in her native language.

Elbasane Berisha Kryeziu, Diplomat of the Embassy of Kozovo with Executive Assistant, Albana Sejdiu.

Mr Battuvshin Batmunkh, Councellor and Head of Consular Section at the Embassy of Mongolia was delighted to meet fellow Peace Runner and fellow Mongolian Sarankhuu Jargal. Mr. Bagakhuu Battulga, 3rd Secretary of the Embassy, joined the team to run to the next country.

Annah Lupenga Barrow, Deputy High Commissioner greeted us at the High Commission of Zambia.

His Excellency, Dr Wilson K Kogo, High Commissioner of Kenya, received the team with his staff.

The Kenya High Commission staff sang us a traditional song "Hakuna Matata," which translates as "Everything is good."

Mr. Adel Al-Dallali, Charge d'Affairs of the Embassy of Libya, receives the Torch.

At the Embassy of Libya, the team was offered magnets commemorating famous Libyans and moments of their history.

At the Embassy of Sudan we were met by Ambassador His Excellency Mr Ahmed Abdelatif, Mr Mossan Ahmed, Mr. Ashraf Elbaghari and Mr. Ibrahim Abdullah. They joined us running to the next country: Georgia ...

... where we were met by Mr Lasha Japaridze, Senior Counsellor at the Embassy of Georgia.

Mr Japaridze brought the torch next door to the Embassy of Nepal, where it was received by a representative.

His Excellency Ambassador António Luvualu de Carvalho received the torch at the Embassy of Angola.

Head of Mission, Dr Vagif Jaferov was waiting for the team at the door to the Embassy of Azerbaijan. Dr Jagarov spoke beautifully of his country's commitment to peace.

The Deputy High Commissioner of Ghana, Mr Stanley Samuel Femiah met us at his High Commission ...

... and then brought the torch to Slovenia, where it was received by Deputy Head of Mission, Davor Devčić.

Team B now proceeded to the suburb of Yarralumla, where we were met at the Embassy of Ecuador by Manuela Fernandez (left), Chargé d'Affairs.

Manuela brought the torch to the High Commission of Sri Lanka, where it was received by Her Excellency Yasoja Gunasekera, High Commissioner.

The Royal Thai Embassy greeted us with their visa staff and gave us all bottles of water. The torch was received by Mr. Peerapong Phimonwichayakit, Minister Counsellor.

Eleni Psichopeda at the Embassy of Greece reminded us her country is the source of the Olympic torch.

Second Secretary at the Embassy of Ireland, Sam Roberts was delighted to discover the Peace Run was visiting and greeted us with two interns studying international relations at the ANU.

Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Julien Leocomte held the torch at the Belgian Embassy along with members of staff.

We admired the traditional longyi worn by the women at the Embassy of Myanmar. Here the torch was received by Mrs Win Sandi Kyaw, Deputy Head of Mission.

Mrs Win Sandi Kyaw holds the torch with other members of the Myanmar delegation.

TEAMS A AND B CONVERGE

Teams A and B now came together for the final 4 countries of the journey, Our meeting point was the USA, where we were warmly welcomed by Johanna Schnitzler, public engagement officer for the Embassy of the United States of America.

Johanna Schnitzler from the US Embassy receives the torch.

Johanna Schnitzler, an excellent runner herself, led the team on a circuit of the 2km lap around the block of the USA Embassy, and then down the hill to the Embassy of Türkiye.

Arriving at the Embassy of Türkiye, Mr. Türker Özer leads the team in a jog around the embassy grounds.

Ms. Sifa Nur Yapici, Embassy of Türkiye, received the Peace Torch on behalf of her Embassy.

Ms. Sifa Nur Yapici and Johanna Schnitzler hold the torch together with the team.

Ms Sifa Nur Yapici and Mr Türker Özer at the Embassy of Türkiye.

Representatives of the Embassy of Türkiye.

First Secretary Rainier Casis, Embassy of The Philippines meets the Peace Run team.

Edgars Ancāns of Latvia, presents the Peace Torch to First Secretary Rainier Casis.

Staff member at the Embassy of The Philippines.

Arriving at the final destination country – India.

Many staff came out to greet the Peace Torch at the High Commission of India.

"We are India!"

We conclude our trip around the world in India - birth place of Sri Chinmoy, founder of the Peace-Run.

We sometimes ask children, "What are some other words for peace?" Their answers are: Happiness, love, kindness, harmony, oneness. These are all qualities of the heart. Peace is never found alone, it comes with these divine friends. A world of peace is founded on these heart-qualities, qualities in which the culture of India is rich, also qualities which can be shared through our openness to giving and our openness to receiving the love and truths of other lands – the new homes of our new expanded selves.

Staff of the Indian High Commission carry the Torch to commence its final leg to the Statue of Peace Run founder, Sri Chinmoy at Yarralumla Bay.

Arriving at the statue of Sri Chinmoy, founder of the Peace Run, overlooking Lake Burley Griffin at Yarralumla Bay Swimming Beach.

The three runners who completed the entire loop of the continent – Canberra to Canberra, 110 days and 15,500 km – Roni De Oliveira (Brazil), Mikhail Vasilchenko (Russia) and Edgars Ancāns (Latvia).

We finish by singing the Peace Run song, one last time.