Cities Form Cultural Exchange Programs with Mexico
By Patricia Ann Talley, Editor, and International Director of the Amig@s de la Paz Sustainability Award Program
How do you make peace in the world? It starts with our children. We must prepare them to be leaders in a new world of diverse cultures and people. The youth are our future – we are literally in their hands.
May Peace Prevail on Earth International (MPPOE) foundation is a global not-for-profit charity that develops and promotes peace activities for communities and youth. The foundation’s primary mission is to erect Peace Pole Monuments around the world.
In 2019, MPPOE launched a new initiative, the “Amig@s de la Paz Sustainability Award Program” to recognize and promote communities, businesses, institutions, and individuals that actively support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
To qualify for the Amig@s de la Paz Sustainability Award, communities must:
- Erect a Peace Pole
- Actively participate in peace education programs
- Celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21st
- Demonstrate how its members have supported the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Participating communities become “Amig@s de la Paz” and are connected for cultural exchange programs, tours, events, and other activities.
Zihuatanejo, Guerrero – The First “Amig@s de la Paz” Community
Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, was the first city in the world to participate in the Amig@s de la Paz Sustainability Award Program. The city erected its first Peace Monument in 2010 and began annual peace educations programs for its youth. In 2019, the community erected the first Peace Monument in a hotel, in a restaurant, and in a school. Plans are currently underway to include more communities throughout Mexico and Latin America.
10 years in Zihuatanejo 1st in a hotel – Las Brisas Ixtapa 1st in a school in the state – Instituto Lizardi 1st in a restaurant – Villas Paraiso Ixtapa New Peace Park and Monument in Ixtapa
Southfield, Michigan & The Greater Detroit Area “Amig@s”
Zihuatanejo’s peace activities were modeled after those conducted by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force in Southfield, Michigan, USA. In January 2021, Southfield celebrated its 36th Annual Peace Walk (drive this year) and holds annual Youth Recognition Awards. The communities have worked together on several cultural exchange programs, such as the “Pathways to Freedom” exhibit about Afromexicans that has toured Michigan.
In 2020, Southfield erected Peace Pole Monuments in front of the City Hall. Look at the wonderful ceremony!
Chicago! – New Amig@s
Charles Kim is President of The Peace School, a non-profit educational organization founded in Chicago in 1972. A lifelong meditator, Master Kim is a 9th-degree black belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do and teaches these classes, as well as Peace Yoga, and Peace Breathing Meditation.
Mrs. Jennifer Kim, the director, and Master Kim most recently visited Zihuatanejo in 2020 for the inauguration of the community’s new peace pole monuments and conducted “Yoga for Peace” classes in the community.
The city’s Peace Pole Monuments have been displayed at Daley Center and are now in the Peace School.
Guests from Japan at the Daley Center in 1979 Annual Peace Day Events Peace Pole Monument in The Peace School
The first cultural exchange program between these Amig@s de la Paz communities is the “Where am I from?” Kids’ Poetry and Art Exchange Program, hosted by the Peace School of Chicago, the Chicago School District, Centro de Familiar Ixtapa, and Arte & Cultura Asociación de Zihuatanejo. Click on this link to see the presentation: Kids’ Art & Poetry Show
Your Community Can Participate Too!
We would love to have more Amig@s de la Paz communities! For more information, email: info@imagine-mexico.com. Note: Amigo in Spanish is masculine; Amiga is feminine. We use Amig@s to include everyone!
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