Peace Tree Day Is Generously Supported by a Grant from Welcome to Peace Tree Day 2011!
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Peace Tree Day is generously supported by a grant from Welcome to Peace Tree Day 2011! t is with great pleasure that we welcome all the Peace Tree Delegates and Ambassadors from across Toronto and from as far away as Jammu/Kashmir, India. We are delighted that you could Message from Your Host City I th join us for the 6 year celebration of Peace Tree Day, a festival of peace, diversity and fusion through the arts by children and youth. I am pleased to extend greetings and a warm welcome Today you will experience and learn about the many arts and peace to everyone participating in the 2011 Peace Tree Day initiatives from different cultures and experience the vibrant Peace reeT Celebrations in Toronto. Concert with dances, rhythms and beats from around the world. You will also have a ‘Taste of Diversity’ at the Peace Tree Stand and learn of Organized by the Toronto Peace Tree Committee, the many ways you can work together to celebrate diversity and create Harmony Movement and the Toronto District School peaceful communities. Board, Peace Tree Day is a festival for children and youth of all cultures and faiths to celebrate peace, diversity and We are very fortunate to live in a country that has become the home to fusion of the arts. families from all corners of the world. This gives us the unique opportunity to share our cultures and learn so much about each Originally inspired by Mitra Sen’s award-winning film The Peace Tree, Peace Tree Day encourages students to others’ customs, traditions and beliefs in order to develop respect and work together to create new forms of art, fusing dance, music and crafts to reflect create a peaceful society. We hope you will share your experience today peace and diversity. Student ambassadors will lead panel discussions, intercultural and with your friends and soon begin to celebrate the Peace Tree Spirit in interfaith workshops and share their artwork at the event. your schools and communities so we can continue to live in peace. This is an excellent opportunity for student participants to interact, explore, Peace Tree Day is also a time to create unique and innovative ways experience and develop peace initiatives that can be used in their schools and through the arts to raise funds for children less fortunate. We thank you communities and help shape a positive outlook of the world. Funds raised will for your donation to WarChild Canada and hope children in other parts support War Child Canada. of the world will soon have the chance to also live in peace. On behalf of Toronto City Council, I thank the organizers who made this event And finally, why has Peace Tree Day been created for and by children? possible and participating students for their enthusiasm. Please accept my best The answer is simple – You have the most open-minds and the most wishes for an enjoyable and memorable day. imagination! When you are exposed to diversity, the ideas are endless. We wish you a wonderful experience this Peace Tree Day and Yours truly, hope you discover many new ways to contribute to society and have fun as we celebrate our vibrant cultures of peace TOGETHER! Rob Ford Mayor, City of Toronto ‘If we are to create peace in our world, we must begin with our children.’ ~ Mahatma Gandhi Welcome to Peace Tree Day 2011 I would like to extend my warmest greetings to all those attending the Peace Tree Day celebration organized by the Toronto Peace Tree Committee, Harmony Movement, and the Toronto District School Board. On behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, I would like to thank you for your unwavering devotion to Canada – the open and diverse society we are proudly building together. Events like this one provide young Canadians the tools to develop their creativity and an exciting environment where they can learn about diversity, inclusivity and tolerance. Through their curiosity and ingenuousness, young people always manage to bring us a new perspective on the Canada of today and provide us with renewed faith in the future path of the pluralistic society we are building together, with them. Canada has always fostered the enthusiasm and resourcefulness of its youth – their leadership being essential to our future as a thriving nation. Young new Canadians in particular have always been keen to contribute and reach their full potential in this land of opportunity. Helping them achieve their goals is key to our continued social, cultural and economic prosperity. As Prime Minister Harper noted: “Canadians are rightly proud of the fact that we are a nation of immigrants, people who have come from all corners of the earth and who have worked together to build one of the most peaceful and prosperous nations in human history.” As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organizers and all the participants for your continued commitment to Canada’s success as a pluralistic nation. Best wishes for a wonderful event. Sincerely, The Honourable Jason Kenney, PC, MP Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism June 1, 2011 1 June 2011 I am pleased to send greetings I am pleased to extend to all those gathered for Peace greetings to the Harmony Tree Day. Education Foundation, as you participate in the Philanthropy – one of the 6th year of celebration of pillars of my mandate as Peace Tree Day. governor general – is defined both as an act of giving and Since 1994, your as a love of humankind. When we give what organization has been dedicated to we can, whether on a grand scale or through promoting diversity, combating small acts of kindness, we are, at heart, discrimination and cultural barriers, and philanthropists. encouraging youth to become leaders for social change. I believe that, together, we can define our identity by what we show the world and how With this special day being a festival of we treat those in need. It is up to us to take an peace, diversity, and arts through the spirit active role in improving the human condition of young people, it is appropriate that you for all – in Canada and around the globe. are participating, as 500 student ambassadors from 75 schools across the I comment the organizers and volunteers on GTA gather for intercultural/interfaith their efforts to make this event happen, and I events, and to view their artworks that thank everyone for their contributions to such reflect the theme of the day. an important cause. As The Queen’s representative in Ontario, I send my very best wishes for a day filled with understanding, joy, and peace for all, now and into the future. David Johnston David C. Onley June 1, 2011 June 1, 2011 On behalf of the I bring warm greetings to Government of Ontario, everyone participating in I extend warm greetings to Toronto’s Peace Tree Day everyone participating in celebrations hosted by Peace Tree Day. Harmony Movement and the Toronto District School I am delighted to see Board. so many young people coming together in celebration of peace, In Ontario we are so fortunate that people diversity and artistic expression. This much- from many cultures live peacefully together. anticipated event is an occasion to renew In fact, diversity is Ontario’s strength. It has our collective belief in the values of enriched us in many ways – culturally, tolerance, respect and understanding – socially and economically. while also raising funds for War Child Canada. I thank everyone involved in Toronto’s Peace Tree Day project and please accept my best To the students attending Peace Tree Day: wishes for a successful celebration, and for you are a fine example of how young the future. people can use their skills and talents to build bridges, foster co-operation and Yours truly, transform the world into a better place for all. Please accept my best wishes for a great day. Dr. Eric Hoskins Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Dalton McGuinty Premier of Ontario June 1, 2011 June 1, 2011 As Minister of Children On behalf of the Ministry and Youth Services, I am of Education, I am pleased pleased to extend wam to extend my best wishes to greetings to all participants, everyone attending friends and organizers of Toronto’s Peace Tree Day. Toronto’s Peace Tree Day. I would like to thank the I would also like to thank the Toronto Peace Toronto Peace Tree Committe, the Harmony Tree Committee, Harmony Movement and Movement and the Toronto District School the Toronto District School Board for your Board for organizing this day that includes commitment to providing innovative all cultures and faiths in celebrating programs about diversity for chidren and understanding and respect among peoples. youth across the Greater Toronto Area. I also commend the commitment of the By encouraging young people of all races, 600 student ambassadors from across the cultures and faiths to show their creativity Greater Toronto Area who are attending and share ideas with their peers, this festival intercultural events and sharing their visions celebrates peace and harmony in the best of peace. Your worthwhile endeavour possible way. should indeed be celebrated. Our government shares your vision of a Once again, I extend my warmest wishes to province and a world where all children and you all. youth have the opportunity to grow, learn, play, dream and reach their full potential. Sincerely, That is why we continue to work with all our partners to build a strong, inclusive and prosperous Ontario. Leona Dombrowsky Minister of Education Please accept my best wishes for a successful and inspiring event.