The team visited Holy Trinity Primary School, in the Canberra suburb of Curtin.
The students are inquiring into the idea "Values and Initiatives Influence Action."
All teams meet at Grevillea Park to bring the Torch on its final leg of 3.8km, to the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly.
We run past Lake Burley Griffin and the National Carillon – a musical instrument gifted to Canberra by the British Government.
The ever happy fountain gives us a brief rainbow.
The team runs into the square.
Edgars presents the torch to Shane Rattenbury, MLA and leader of the ACT Greens. Shane has participated in almost every Peace Run that has visited Canberra since the 1990s.
The torch is held by Members of the A.C.T. Legislative Assembly representing different parties. Thomas Emerson (Independent), Fiona Carrick (Independent), Shane Rattenbury (Greens), Peter Cain (Liberals).
Everyone gathers for a photo by "Ethos." The artist composed this poem for her:
"I am Ethos
and though I do not speak
with words
I speak to you
in other ways.
I say to you that
I am the spirit
of this place
and this people.
I am the love
peace and beauty
of this place.
I am Ethos
and in me
there is no violence
no war, only peace
the resolution
of all the conflicts
that lead to war.
I am Ethos
I am peace and love
and I give you
these things
every day
and always."
Jenny Chen, Chair and Ray Mo, Captain of the running club, "No One Left Behind" are presented with the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award.
Their club was formed in the spirit of supporting those with need of social connection – often young people from other countries experiencing all the trials of a new place, new language and new people all around them. They bring them out and run as a group with a mission of: "Creating a voice for international students through shared stories and creating empowered communities through inspiring one another."
Jenny, Ray and ten members of their club joined the team on the first day of the Peace Run, covering a 55km leg of our relay out of Canberra.
Prachar Stegemann, ACT co-ordinator speaks on the reality and eventual certainty of a world of Peace.
Stacey Marsh, National Co-ordinator of this year's around-Australia Peace Run concludes by sharing the simple truth that everyone wants peace.
Later, we began a symbolic "Peace Run around the World (in Canberra)" Over the next 24 hours, the team will visit 56 participating Embassies and High Commissions, where representatives from each country will receive the Peace Torch, relaying it from one country to the next.
We were warmly welcomed by Ms. Egija Eglīte, Chargés d’Affaires of the Embassy of Latvia in Australia, and her colleague Mr. Pauls Jirgensens, who both held the Torch and also invited our team to sign a guest book. Coincidentally, 2 of our team members are from Latvia!
Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador.
Mr. Ernesto Antonio Dueñas Azucena, Ambassador of El Salvador has welcomed our Peace Run team with an open heart and appreciated our peace initiative.
With the Ambassador of Panama, His Excellency Mr Rogelio Cucalón García.
Embassy of the Republic of Croatia. On behalf of the Embassy, we were welcomed by Marija Haramija, First Secretary and her colleague.
Embassy of the State of Qatar.
The Peace Torch was received by Third Secretary Mr Abdulaziz Khalid Al-Nasr and his colleagues. We were offered delicious Arabic coffee and pizza and then had a lovely conversation with Mr. Leonardo D’aquino and Ms. Grace Purino from the PR department.
We were greeted at the Embassy of Colombia by Mr Mario Corredor, Second Secretary.
At the Embassy of Guatemala we were received by Mr Luis Molina and staff.
We were then joined by Mr Camino Silberkasten, Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of Argentina.
Mrs Lorena Campos Cavero represented the Embassy of Peru. She was disappointed it was such a short run to the next embassy!
Mr Rosen, Consul at the Embassy of Bulgaria.
He enjoyed looking at photos of the Peace Run in his home country.
Earnest from the Embassy of Vanuatu is proud of his country's peace-loving culture.
