Calgary Community Peace Pole Project

Peace Pole Backgrounder

Purpose of this document

This report gives a brief explanation of peace poles – what they are, their purpose and history, and where they are to be found in Canada and abroad. It also explores some of the factors bearing on having a peace pole located in Calgary – reasons for a Calgary peace pole, costs and location.

Peace poles: description, history, geography

Peace poles are commonly hand-carved or manufactured wooden or metal poles, several feet tall, that have the peace message (or prayer) “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed in various languages on the sides. Traditionally peace poles are square, hexagonal or octagonal, allowing the peace message to be inscribed in up to sixteen different languages. However there is no particular limit to the number of languages that could be included on a custom-made pole, nor is the traditional design mandatory.

Peace poles are usually placed in outdoor locations – in parks, fields, forest clearings, public plazas, church precincts, front lawns or back yards for example. They may also be mounted on a stand and placed indoors. Outdoor poles are “planted” in the ground, often cemented in place to provide permanence and stability.

The peace pole movement was started in Japan by the World Peace Prayer Society in 1955, with the objective of dedicating humankind towards peace rather than conflict. Since then the number of peace poles has multiplied greatly.

There are now estimated to be as many as 250,000 poles world-wide, some in special places such as the Magnetic North Pole in the Canadian Arctic, the majority being in cities, towns and villages in 180 different countries.

Many communities in Canada have peace poles, although no detailed count is available. The Edmonton pole is located in the grounds of the Provincial Museum. Saskatoon has a very large pole, with a permanent gas-fired flame issuing from the top, donated by SaskPower and located in Rotary Park. Other Canadian cities or towns known to have peace poles include Ottawa, Montreal, St. Catherines, Sarnia, Dundee (Ontario), Fredericton, Lethbridge, Kelowna, Swift Current and Niagara.

Purpose

The common primary functional purpose of all peace poles is the promotion of the goal of lasting world peace, as stated succinctly in the inscribed peace message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” As a public object the pole stands as a permanent symbol of the message that it conveys, reflecting and informing the hopes and feelings of those who visit it.

Beyond this, a peace pole may serve a number of secondary purposes. It links in common purpose with all the other communities in the world that have them. In addition, the peace pole can represent and be a focal point for all the work towards peace carried out by individual residents of the community, by non-governmental organisations in general and by international organisations such as the United Nations. The juxtaposition of the peace message in a variety of different languages promotes multicultural harmony in a way that is as relevant locally as it is globally. Peace poles also have considerable aesthetic appeal, adding grace and distinction to their setting. A unique and very special peace pole might well become a popular tourist attraction, or an appreciated site for wedding photos.

Why a peace pole for Calgary?

All the various purposes of peace poles mentioned above apply to a large, thriving city like Calgary. Calgarians, like the citizens of all major cities, desire world peace.

In 2005 Calgary became affiliated, through Mayor Bronconnier, with the global Mayors for Peace campaign. This affiliation, which links Calgary with many other peace-seeking cities throughout the world, provides another compelling reason for Calgary to join the many thousands of world cities and communities that now have their own peace poles.

Besides Calgary’s clear stand for peace manifested through Mayor Bronconnier’s joining the Mayors for Peace campaign in September 2005, and its annual proclamation of September 21^st as the International Day of Peace, Calgary is already a peace city in its daily efforts to promote the health and well-being of its citizens.

The presence of a peace pole would be a strong confirmation of the work done in this city to care communally for all citizens including our most vulnerable, and create and maintain a safe, clean and green environment.

The peace pole is a symbol for the promotion of harmony by means of an elegant, multicultural artefact that can easily be accessed and enjoyed by the public. Many languages, based on Calgary’s demography, will be displayed.

Description of Project Progress

After some initial research on peace poles, Project Ploughshares Calgary members met with City of Calgary representatives in 2006 to discuss the peace pole proposal. A small delegation has been out to view potential sites for the pole along the south side of the Bow River in West Eau Claire. The City of Calgary is willing to provide space for the structure, provided that the necessary funds are raised by groups in the community.

When interest from other individuals and groups in the project became apparent, the Calgary Community Peace Pole Committee was formed to guide the project. The Committee is made up of leaders and volunteers from many different organizations, faith groups and cultural communities in Calgary.

The site that was chosen by the Committee and the City of Calgary for the Peace Pole is West Eau Claire (along the Bow River pathway near the 10 St. LRT bridge). The site is within a park that was dedicated as a Peace Park by the City of Calgary in 1992 as a part of Peace Through Tourism.

The Committee announced the plan for the peace pole project on September 21, 2007 at a Peace Day event held near the future site of the peace pole. Since then the Committee has been working with award winning Calgary architect, Marc Boutin and the City of Calgary Parks department to finalize the design of the peace pole, and continue to focus on fundraising and promotion for the project.

The Committee hosted a Design Launch Celebration in May 2008 at Eau Claire Market to introduce the design of the Peace Pole. As well, the Committee organized an event to mark the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2008.

On September 20, 2009 the Committee hosted the unveiling celebration for the Calgary Peace Pole.

Community Participation

A monument or symbol of peace is brought to life by the community that embraces its meaning and value. Part of this project is to gather together community residents and groups to contribute, oversee and participate in the building of the peace pole. As a part of the creation of the peace pole, community groups will be asked to sign on to a peace declaration - dedicating their communities to the promotion of peace values. When we have reached our collaborative objective in creating and funding the peace pole, we will hold an ‘unveiling’ celebration of our new peace monument, preferably on or near the the International Day for Peace, September 21.

By the summer of 2009, over 50 different community, cultural and faith groups offered their support of the peace pole project with financial donations or volunteer time.

Costs and Design

Costs include that of the pole itself and any accompaniments such as benches and plaques, costs of installation, ongoing upkeep and repair, advertising, fundraising, and the unveiling event itself. By the spring of 2009 the Committee raised $50,000 for the construction of the site and pole and Marc Boutin Architecture recieved pledges of in-kind donations of $50,000 from contractors and trades. At this point the Committee determined that a second, less expensive design option was needed. The design below is estimated to cost approximately $100,000 to construct - with $15,000 in additional costs. The Committee still welcomes individual and group donations towards this project.

Communities and businesses that have made donations or contributing volunteer time are acknowledged by name on the dedication plaque. Individuals making donations were recognized in the unveiling ceremony and their names are on the website. The fundraising brochure provides more information about the history of the project and the finances involved.

Websites with information

www.worldpeace.org

The site of the World Peace Prayer Society, an NGO affiliated with the UN that initiated and has promoted the peace pole concept since 1955. The message "May Peace Prevail On Earth" is a registered trademark of the World Peace Prayer Society since 1986.