Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
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.
Everyone, whether big or small, young or old,
who can exert an influence to a greater or lesser degree,
everyone can participate in building a future where peace reigns,
where mutual respect, dignity and harmony reign.
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.
[Poster for the Peace Contest at the Convitto]
Not only do we try to engage our students in the issue of peace
by stimulating their attention and interest,
but also their families and teachers working with them.
So this has been a far-reaching project for us,
involving everyone who is part of our school:
students, teachers and their families.
In my opinion peace is important for us, the new generation, because we are the future.
We'll see the results of what we do now in 10, 15, 20 years' time...
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.
The title of Ambassador of Peace for the Pledge to Peace to Mr. Prem Rawat!
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.
My question is: if human beings, by their nature,
have always had the instinct to dominate others
and have always used war to achieve this,
since the nature of all mankind cannot be changed,
doesn't it seem that talking about world peace is Utopian or unrealistic?
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?
Personally, as I think it is for each of us,
we take living in peace day by day for granted
and I must say that up to now I haven't paid enough
attention to this, taking it for granted.
So I have to say
that hearing so much about it, and understanding
how important it is, has helped me understand
that I should never take it for granted, and try to foster it every day
and to realize it in my own little way, even in the simple things I do.
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.