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As the world approaches a tipping point, new thinking, new actions and new collaborations are urgently needed to address our shared challenges and opportunities.
"Creating a New Civilization: Collaboration with Youth" was the theme of Goi Peace Foundation Forum 2006, which took place at Bunkyo Civic Hall in Tokyo on November 23, 2006 attended by 1200 people from near and far.
The initiative for "Creating a New Civilization" was first launched in November 2005 in partnership with 14 likeminded organizations including the Club of Budapest, the Club of Rome, the Gorbachev Foundation and others active in fields such as the environment, peace, economics, science and the media. This year, young people from around the world joined in this partnership to take the initiative forward with their wisdom and passion.
Prior to the main forum, a Youth Forum was held at the National Memorial Olympics Youth Center in Tokyo, bringing together 80 young leaders from 28 different countries with the aspiration to build world peace based on new values and consciousness. Living together during the 3-day conference, they exchanged visions and wisdom as well as action plans to co-create a sustainable and harmonious civilization based on spiritual values and reverence for all life on Earth.
From all generations, nationalities and cultures, pioneers of a new planetary civilization are emerging to co-create a sustainable and peaceful future. The forum highlighted this global trend and called upon all concerned citizens to join in this collaboration.
PROGRAM
PART I
Goi Peace Award Ceremony / Laureate: Duane Elgin Commemorative Address "Awakening the Earth Civilization"
The 2006 Goi Peace Award was presented to Duane Elgin, futurist and author of the classic bestseller, Voluntary Simplicity. In his commemorative address, Mr. Elgin spoke about the four great powers we humans have that can transform an evolutionary crash into a bounce or leap forward.
International Essay Contest for Young People
Recitation of Award-winning Essay
The 2006 Essay Contest attracted more than 4,000 entries from 135 countries. Two of the prize winners: Soh Yu (children's category 2nd prize) and Yoko Bizen (youth category 2nd prize) presented their essays on the theme "Learning to live together: promoting tolerance and diversity in globalized societies."
PART II
Declaration by Young People: Launching of a Global Youth Network
The 80 youth made presentations in groups, reporting on the discussions and results of the Youth Forum in their various creative ways including play, poem and song, and culminating in a launch of an international movement for creating a new civilization.
Intergenerational Dialogue "Stimulating the Trend Toward a New Civilization"
How can awakened citizens emerging around the world connect with one another and reach a critical mass to effect a major transformation of our cultures? A panel of experts and youth representatives exchanged their visions and ideas on how different generations may join hands and achieve this goal.
Participants: Duane Elgin, Masami Saionji (Chairperson, Goi Peace Foundation), Hiroo Saionji (President, Goi Peace Foundation), Youth representatives
PART III
SAfro FAmily Peace Concert
A stirring live performance was given by the SAfro FAmily, a gospel group from Sophia University consisting of 100 chorus and band members. The youth participants were invited on stage to join the group for the finale "Simple Song of Freedom." The powerful voices and overflowing energy of the youth got all the audience up on their feet, and carried our united message of peace to all corners of the world.
Goi Peace Foundation Forum 2006 Flyer (PDF)
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