The city of Southfield held a dedication ceremony for the new Peace Poles installation on Friday, November 6 at in the city hall front circle drive, 26000 Evergreen Road.

The event included brief remarks from Councilman Dr. Lloyd Crews, City Administrator Fred Zorn, invocation by Rev. Dr. Carlyle Fielding Stewart III of Empowerment Church, a musical accompaniment of Peace on Earth performed by Jay Reid and a benediction by Rabbi Aaron Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek.

The new Peace Poles installation is part of an initiative started by the May Peace Prevail on Earth International™, a global not-for-profit charity that develops and promotes peace activities for communities and youth. May Peace Prevail on Earth is a nonsectarian organization dedicated to promoting global peace through the universal message and prayer, May Peace Prevail on Earth. The Organization is member supported in both its activities as well as its funds. The organization is headquartered in New York with executive offices in San Francisco, Tokyo and Munich; however, the May Peace Prevail on Earth movement is spread throughout the world by the tireless grassroots efforts of the individual members.

The foundation’s primary mission is to plant Peace Monuments around the world. Along with their affiliates Peace Pals International™ and the Goi Peace Organization of Japan, they also conduct an annual international art contest for children and tour of the artwork, an annual essay contest for youth, and international youth conference webinars. Partner organizations are all members of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

“Now more than ever before, we must all come together in a spirit of peace, love, mutual respect and understanding,” commented Council President Dr. Lloyd C. Crews. “In Southfield, we value every person from every culture, religion, race and background and these new Peace Poles exemplify that in a way that I hope resonates with every resident and visitor. It is our collective prayer for peace not only in Southfield, but throughout the entire world.”

The Organization believes that global peace can only be achieved when each person attains inner peace and people of every country affirm their commitment to peace. It is therefore important that local citizens worldwide make their own efforts for peace, according to the customs and culture of the region. In this spirit, Peace Representatives are appointed to take the initiative in promoting the Organization’s activities locally, while maintaining close contact with headquarters. Peace Representatives are also encouraged to network with other Peace Representatives on both national and international levels to exchange information and coordinate efforts for global peace.

According to research by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), countries with a more open and sustainable tourism and hospitality sector tend to be more peaceful. A sustainable and open tourism and hospitality sector brings about a higher level of positive peace through personal attitudes, institutions, and societies. This also promotes expanded social and economic investments that enhance sustainable growth in local communities.

The city of Southfield is the first City in the U.S. to receive this award. The community of Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico, the city of Southfield’s sister city, was the first to receive the Annual Amig@s de la Paz Sustainable Tourism Award for programs that were modeled after Southfield. Zihuatanejo , or Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Politically the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta in the western part of Guerrero, but both are commonly referred to as Zihuatanejo.

For more information, contact Southfield Community Relations at (248) 796-5130.