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In 2011, the Honorable Gianni Pittella hosted an international conference
at the European Parliament, called 'Peace and Well-Being'.
International peace advocate Prem Rawat was the keynote speaker.
So, I'm not a politician, but I am a human being
who holds very close to his heart,
the fundamental principles
and the possibility of peace on this earth.
A highlight of the event was the signing by many leaders present
of a 'Pledge to Peace' -- a commitment to do something tangible
for peace in 2012 and beyond.
Among the signatories of the pledge was Convitto Nazionale school in Rome.
The Convitto students have taken their commitment seriously,
with an annual peace competition involving all schools, primary, middle and high school.
In December 2012, the continuing importance of the 'Pledge of Peace'
was stressed at a conference entitled, 'The Declaration of Brussels Pledge to Peace'.
From the European Parliament to Rome, the path of peace continues.
The conference was held at the Sala Zuccari di Palazzo Giustiniani,
home to the Italian Senate.
Speakers included the then President of the Senate,
the Minister for International Cooperation,
the first Vice President of the European Parliament Gianni Pittella,
lifetime Senator Emilio Colombo
and Prem Rawat, prominent international speaker on the theme of peace.
I say to the whole world, don't be fooled by the glitter,
don't be fooled by the progress that we think is 'progress',
because progress without human progress, is no progress.
It is building a building without foundations.
I have to commend President Gianni Pittella, President Emilio Colombo
and so many of the people who have taken on this noble cause,
who address this issue,
because the 'mantra' of people today is only one -- 'what can I do?'
Light a lamp. Because that's who you are.
Light the lamp of hope in yourself.
And one of things that is wonderful about laughter, about happiness,
about joy and about peace indeed, is it's contagious.
Spread!
Spread this contagious feeling of peace, the need for peace in this world.
Sixty students from the Convitto Nationale Vittorio Emanuele II
seated in the Sala dei Presidenti close by,
were able to watch via a live video link.
Afterwards, Prem Rawat went to speak with them.
It takes cooperation to make this building;
it took cooperation to make the roads;
it takes cooperation to create the cities.
Human beings have demonstrated a tremendous amount of greed.
Human beings have demonstrated great amounts of anger,
great amounts of confusion, great amounts of arrogance.
But human beings have also over the period of history
demonstrated tremendous amount of cooperation.
And is there love?
Absolutely.
Absolutely.
It's up to you -- each one of us -- to make a conscious decision
what we project forward.
Love or hate? Anger or joy?
Do you keep the bad and let go of the good?
Or do you keep the good and let go of the bad?
Which one are you?
When I talk about peace, believe me -- and don't mistake this
-- I'm not saying I'm going to bring peace.
We all are going to bring peace. OK?
We all are going to bring peace.
Everybody has to be interested in this.
I'm not saying that I am some angel
that fell out of the sky -- I am not!
I'm just like you, interested in peace.
I started very young, here I am, and I'm still doing it, what my passion is.
But it is all our effort -- your Principal, Presidente Emilio Columbo,
you people -- being interested in peace.
This is the hope of this world, believe me,
this is the hope of this world.
So thank you very much.