Kiwi kids talk peace with Japan

School children from Waitakere and Christchurch are set to take part in a ground-breaking new initiative that will see them exchange views on world peace with their counterparts in Hiroshima, Japan.

‘Peace Pals’ is a global initiative of One People One Planet, a not-for-profit peace organisation that aims to connect children around the world on a safe technology platform to explore common themes of humanity, peace, sharing, trust and respect, both for humankind and for the planet.

Today New Zealand children from four selected schools will be communicating with Japanese pupils via live video-link from the Waitakere City Council Chambers and the South Regional Health School in Christchurch.

These global events will showcase the children, their collaborative peace projects and the dialogue around their hopes and strategies for a more peaceful world.

The video-linked children will be addressed by Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who will talk about the impact of war on his city, and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore, both of whom are heavily involved in peace organisations and have seen their respective cities take on international Peace City status.

One People One Planet is New Zealand-based and the Peace Pals project has been widely and enthusiastically welcomed and endorsed by teachers and principals. It also has the involvement of the majority of the Apple® Distinguished Educators in New Zealand. The concept has proved very popular with children involved in this and other school-based peace projects already underway. The project will be backed up by longitudinal research to chart the impact of initiatives as they are developed.

One People One Planet plans to increase the number of schools involved in the Peace Pals project both nationally and globally. Further information can be viewed at their newly developed website: www.onepeopleoneplanet.org.

ENDS

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