On September 21 when the globe celebrates the International Day of Peace, the 4th Peace Garden Peace Festival, co-organized by China World Peace Foundation, Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and UNESCO, was held at Canadian International School Beijing (CIBS). China World Peace Foundation President Li Ruohong, Former UN Under-Secretary-General Sha Zukang, Former UNESCO Deputy Director-General and Assistant Director-General for Strategic Planning Hans d’Orville and representative of UNESCO Beijing Office Eunice Smith and other distinguished guests attended the grand event. The festival, consisting of an official unveiling ceremony of Belt and Road Ambassador Village, inauguration of Silk Road in the Eye of Youth global photography contest, guest forum, was participated by diplomatic envoys of over 100 countries from the five continents, leaders of international organizations, government and enterprise representatives, experts and scholars and delegates from the younger generation. 

Theming on building people-to-people bonds and promoting peace, the event, presided over by XU Bo, representative of China World Peace Foundation in Europe, kicked off by President Li’s announcement of the opening of the festival. He then read the congratulatory letter from Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO. This is the spirit of the call by the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for a new surge in prevention to sustain peace, bringing together Governments and civil society, along with international and regional bodies, Bokova said in her letter.

Guests also delivered speeches and shared their insightful thoughts on Silk Roads cultural atlas, peace and security, diplomatic welfare and sharing economy.

In his speech, Sha Zukang said as long as we live on the same earth the destiny of human being is closely knitted no matter how big difference, dispute and conflict we have. We need to foster an awareness of building a community of shared future. While prejudice, discrimination, hatred and war only bring disaster and pain, mutual respect, equal treatment, peaceful development and common prosperity provide a correct solution. The Belt and Road initiative proposed by Chinese government and the supporting Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Silk Road Fund are the largest international public goods offered by China to the whole world. The initiative, while providing a platform for win-win cooperation and joint development for countries around the world, is by no means a vehicle facilitating geopolitics, an idea harbored by some so-called friends.

Hans d’Orville in his speech said that the fundamental principles of peace must be “appropriated” by different cultures in order to be effectively exercised and therefore contribute to peace, rather than remaining as abstract standards, or even standards imposed by others. The universality of the fundamental principles of peace can then only be strengthened by genuine dialogue among cultures, effective reconciliation processes and people-to-people interactions and engagements. Peace means living together with our differences – of sex, race, language, religion or culture – while furthering universal respect for justice and human rights on which such coexistence depends.

Pakistani ambassador Masood Khalid said in his speech that today we have the largest generation of young people in the history of mankind. Half of the world’s population is under 25 years of age. Young people can take the lead by shunning violence, conflicts, extremism and by promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution of issues. Pakistan and China will continue to cement multi-dimensional ties to the greater benefit of our people and work together to promote peace and stability in our region

Vice President of china.com.cn Li Fugen in his speech introduced an interactive cultural atlas along the Silk Road, a project co-initiated by his organization and China World Peace Foundation, and gave background information of his Belt and Road official website which is affiliated to china.com.cn. 

In her speech, Zoe, a student of 11th grade from Canadian International School Beijing (CISB), challenged all participants to break down the romanticized definition of peace into something more attainable, and to incorporate such a definition into daily lives.

In the following forum, Maldivian ambassador Mohamed Faisal said, in the face of many challenges to peace and security today we have faith in the inherent goodness of each other to sit down and talk when we have differences, to listen when we do not understand and to offer a middle ground when the road is all but blocked. 

Qatar ambassador to China Sultan Al Mansouri said, at the international level the Belt and Road initiative is considered as a positive sign of the people’s desire to coexist and build a common destiny for mankind. The Belt and Road Initiative in fact is an important move to enhance friendship between countries and promote mutual learning between different civilizations. His country Qatar and all Arabic countries support this noble initiative, and together we will build a belt of culture and peace along the belt and the road.

Peng Jianhua, chairman of the board of Canadian International School Beijing (CISB) said we need to educate the children today if we want them to lead the future as they are the leaders of next generation. He also emphasized the important role of teachers in the process. 

Vice president of GTC Technology Zhang Xiaodan introduced the current development of the company and expressed the wish to better serve the Belt and Road with its own resource and advantage as well as shoulder the responsibility to promote the peace spirit of the United Nations. 

After the forum, both Principle of CISB Douglas Prescott and Principle of Pakistan Embassy College Beijing Shazia Amjad stepped on the stage to express their wish to cultivate youth for a better world. In order to show thanks to both schools for their long-standing contribution to the cause of world peace and their support to the Peace Garden Peace Festival, China World Peace Foundation awarded both principles the honor of Peace Champion. At the end of the event, all participants watched an excellent performance brought by various artistic groups. 

The festival received great support from UNESCO, diplomatic corps in Beijing, China UN Association, China NGO Network for International Exchanges, China Public Diplomacy Association, China Society for People’s Friendship Studies and Beijing NGO Association for International Exchanges. The undertakes include Beijing Peace Garden Museum, Belt and Road official website of china.com.cn, Belt and Road special fund, CISB, GTC Technology (Beijing) and Liaoning Sun Valley Wine Co.,Ltd. 

Chinese as well as foreign guests highly praised the event for its timeliness under such a complex international environment in that it provides an opportunity for people to call for peace. The image of children donned in their national costumes smiling shiningly at peace doves flying across the sky has left an everlasting beautiful image on the guests. 

News Link : Peace Garden, a Place to Witness Peace

The Peace Garden Museum, brimming with hearty laughter and exciting chats of youth and teens dressed in their national costumes from the five continents, is most mesmerizing when the night falls. The museum, where the Peace Garden Peace Festival reception is being held, witnesses sincere smiling faces coming from different countries and speaking contrasting languages. 

Guests watch such intangible cultural heritage as Zhang Yiyuan tea ceremony, carving, face painting and eggshell painting with ultimate interest. Students from India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Canada are thrilled watching the performances brought by Chinese artists. A student who comes to the event for the first time says he can really touch the essence of exchanges between diversified cultures. He is so moved by the harmonious atmosphere that he has decided to play his part in the cause of peace in the future.

President of China World Peace Foundation Dr. Li Ruohong says with a visible delight that he is so pleased to see so many ambassadors and international youth students coming to the peace festival. The speech delivered by ambassadors from Pakistan, Qatar and Maldives testifies their dedication to easing regional conflict and realizing peace and stability. The goal of Peace Festival is successfully fulfilled when the youth students are so inspired by what they have seen and felt that they express their wish to contribute their part for the cause of peace.