In early July, the Mount partnered with Peaceful Schools International and 10 additional peace partners; Physicians for Global Survival, Saint Mary’s University, Sisters of Charity – Halifax, Nova Scotia Community College, Canadian Pugwash, Voice of Women , The Cyrus Eaton Foundation, Just Us, Pugwash Peace Exchange, and the Pugwash Park Commission, to host a three and half day conference focused on Being the Change – Building a Culture of Peace in our classrooms, in our communities, and in our world.
The Honorable Marilyn More, Minister of Education, opened the Conference, followed by an inspirational and engaging dialogue between 13-year-old Nova Scotia filmmaker , Logan MacGillivary, and Alyn Ware, acclaimed new Zealand peace educator and nuclear disarmament activist and 2009 recipient of the “alternate” Nobel Peace Prize called the Right Livelihood Award. Alyn spent five days with us, delivering the Conference keynote speech, conducting plenary sessions and workshops, and doing media interviews.
A Peace Celebration dinner was organized by our own spoken word artist, Ardath Whynacht. The dinner featured outstanding entertainment by several musical groups, as well as a spoken word performance by Ardath. A Peace Art Exhibition was contributed by students from 11 schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality, and a beautiful Ikebana display created from natural flora and fauna in our Mount forest was donated by current Mount student Pamela Rubin from the Shambala community.
A Saturday field trip to Pugwash introduced delegates to the movement launched in 1957 when Nova Scotia industrialist Cyrus Eaton brought 23 world renowned scientists and philosophers together, to ensure that nuclear technology would be utilized for peaceful purposed only. Delegates were treated to some historical overviews, a tour of the newly restored Thinkers Lodge where Cyrus Eaton hosted the early Pugwash Conferences; and a peace walk led by the Chairs of the Pugwash Park Commission, John Eaton, and Pugwash Peace Exchange, Bonnie Bond, carrying the torches for the 2010 World Peace March brought by Alyn Ware from the United Nations.
I want to thank the host of staff and volunteers representing the 12 sponsoring peace partners, who worked tirelessly and harmoniously over the past six months to make the Peace Conference such a success.
Thanks to all for your hard work, and many contributions to ensure a dynamic and worthwhile conference.
Alexa McDonough,
Conference Chair