INTRODUCTION OF THE PEACE PROJECT August 31.2008 in Höchst

 

Dear members of the St. Christophorus Scouts and Acolytes of the Parish St. Sebastian in Michelstadt, dear pupils from Seckmauern and of the Kindergarten, dear Deacon Raabe, esteemed Pastors and guests of honour, Ladies and Gentlemen

Especially committed children and young girls and boys of this region are presently engaged in a very special project: They want to CONNECT human beings from all over the world and one of their most fundamental longings, THE LONGING FOR PEACE.

They think: when somebody writes a poem or a story or when somebody paints a picture he not only thinks about the subject of PEACE, but his thoughts become much more concrete. We are anxiously waiting to find out how many different thoughts there will surface around the subject of peace or if there will be similar thoughts from different people.

They say: Peace is a basic requirement of each individual. But it is also co-operative work, team-work so to say. As politician I am often confronted with the argument:  There is nothing I can do, because what can I change as an individual?

You intend to prove the contrary: the wing stroke of a butterfly is very soft, but many of them together can cause a storm!

You don't want to start a short-lived project which will only cause interest for a few days of the year. Your peace project will be in your heads and hearts for several months in order to give all like-minded young people the chance to work with you on this project.

For another reason this is a very special project: The young generation in Germany and Europe never experienced a war. This generation was born after the reunification of our country and knows about the separation of Germany and Europe only from history books.

However this is also the first generation to be informed by Television and Internet about wars, expulsion and all the horror scenarios in different parts of the world. But the word "peace" does not only come to mind under military aspects - peace is often missing in relation to neighbours, friends and even in families.

As your delegate and as a member of this region I feel very honoured to be presented with the patronage of this promising event. Thanks to the initiators as well to the supporters for their commitment.

It is my wish and hopes to receive many pictures, poems and stories in order to present next year a broad band of peace impressions from all parts of our world.

Let us hope for a successful start und good luck to all the committed young people.

Together we now open the PEACE PROJECT.