In 1999 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the years 2001 to 2010 the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World. In their declaration they expressed the hope that people throughout the world and from all walks of life, as well as governments, would work actively to promote the emergence of a culture of peace and non-violence. The devastating act of terrorism in New York on the 11^th of September 2001, the first day of a week dedicated to highlighting this message, was perhaps the most painful and heartbreaking wake-up call to us all that no longer must the imbalances and instabilities which plague and bring suffering to so many people in today’s world be ignored. Time has come for worldwide change and transformation — a global process which, as the UN declaration reminds us, depends on local action.

In Wanganui a response to this call is beginning to take shape: a work of art, dedicated to raising awareness of the need for all of us each to do our part in creating such an assembly of cultures for peace, will be built on the historic hill of Queens Park in the heart of Wanganui — a site approved by the District Council. This large sculpture, 20 meters in diameter and 2-3 meters high, was designed by Wanganui artist and potter Ross Mitchell-Anyon and the construction work will be supervised by Jamie O’Leary. The structure has a double-spiral pathway, opening to the east and leading to the top of the sculpture before descending west-wards. On either side of this pathway are walls covered with ceramic tiles which carry the relief of the palm of a hand with the name of the owner. Ross and his team of helpers have to-date gathered about 5 thousand such hand casts from local schools, kindergartens, various groups and organizations, and a few hand-casts have been sent from other countries — so far from Spain, France, Sweden, USA and Australia.

The site was blessed at a dawn ceremony by John Maihi, Chairman, Te Runanga O Tupoho, who later also led the ceremonial breaking of the soil. The three spades provided by the Council were passed around so that all present could be included in the ‘first dig’. Children, the Mayor of Wanganui and our local MP were among those who had a go!

On the 21 September we aim to have the sculpture completed and ready for a celebrative opening. The Govenor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, who has shown great support for the project and also donated a hand cast, has kindly agreed to lead the celebrations.

We are preparing a ‘coffee table’ type of book which will describe and document the whole process of this work. It felt important to find a way of recording for the future all the help given by so many, their generosity, their skills, the cooperation and sheer hard work, and not least all the enthusiasm that went into this project. These are in fact the very ingredients that can and which I believe with all my heart one day will bring about locally and therefore globally a culture of peace.

Gita Brooke,

project coordinator,

co-founder Peace Through Unity

14 May 2002