Shari Nijman/ South South News
World Harmony run, an initiative from the late philosopher and athlete Sri Chinmoy, celebrated its 25th anniversary today with a ceremony in New York.
UN representatives from all corners of the world, Olympian athletes and other special guest gathered at the One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza for the ceremony, which also symbolized the end of a 4-month run across the United States, and honored three pioneers of in promoting harmony and peace with a Torch-bearer award.
“People who run regularly, know that running is a lifestyle, so why not make peace and harmony a lifestyle,” one of the organizers said. The event was officially opened when a group of runners carrying the symbolic torches and flag from all participating nations entered the Plaza, after carrying the flame for several miles through New York City.
Bob Beamon, CEO of Art of the Olympians (AOTO) - organization promoting the sport/art relationship and inspire the world- and holder of the longest unbroken Olympic record for the long jump, received a torch-bearer award. Other recipients of the award were Cathy Oerter, wife of AOTO founder and Olympic legend Al Oerter, and former U.S representative Benjamin Gilman, who is a pioneer in facilitating intercultural education exchange in the United States.
Shari Nijman/ South South News
“[People] should look at the message that all of these runners from all the countries in the world have to say for world peace,” Gilman told South South News. “And they make a strong message for everyone. Look at what Sri Chinmoy did in meeting with all of the world leaders, including the pope, and dictators all over the world. His message was strong and powerful.”
Cathy Oerter believes the world hasn’t seen the last of initiatives like the World Harmony run just yet. “Sport is the celebration of ability. It’s being the best you can be,” she said. “Initiatives like this are going to continue to blossom in every corner of the world until peace reigns. This is what this planets’ for, we are meant to be peace-loving, to be the best we can be. I think that’s why were on this earth. It’s going to continue.”
During the ceremony, UN representatives were invited to tell the audience and media what harmony means to them. Justin Seruhere, representative of Tanzania, told the runners about a torch –like the one they were holding- that burns on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
“We put it there to symbolize hope, where there is despair. Light, where there is darkness, and friendship, where there is conflict,” Mr. Seruhere explained to South South News later.
The torch that illuminates Mt. Kilimanjaro was lit more than fifty years ago now, but Seruhere thinks the flame on the summit, much like World Harmony Run, can go on for more than another fifty years, although he believe the fundamentals of peace lies in the care that is given to the people.
“To achieve peace, we must look for people to become developed. If people are hungry, it will be difficult for them to get peace”, Seruhere said. “If we give them food, and their stomach are full, there is every reason for them to keep and practice peace. This is what we want to do in Tanzania, and this is what we want the world to do. “
Shari Nijman/ South South News
The 25th anniversary was a commemorative event, but in no way the beginning of the end for the organizers. “There’s always a torch being lit and run somewhere in the world,” Salil Wilson, Executive Director of World Harmony Run said.
“We’re not just runners who’re carrying a torch,” Wilson said. “It’s when we go to places and we have these events or visit schools, people get to express their own hopes and dreams for a more peaceful and harmonious world. In a sense we facilitate the expression of what someone inherently feels.”