By Irene Kai, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission
When we act locally, there is a global significance. I encountered the original World Peace Flame Monument in Wales by chance in 2015, the sight of the flame instantly seared into my heart, and I knew I am one with all of humanity, it is the symbol of the celebration of peace, unity, and freedom. I had an unmovable desire to bring the World Peace Flame to the city of Ashland where I reside. Three years later, on September 21, 2018, the International Day of Peace, the World Peace Flame was lit in the Thalden Pavilion, Sustainability Center on the Southern Oregon University (SOU) campus in Ashland, Oregon joining the only other World Peace Flame in the United States of America in the Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. SOU is the first and only university in the world to have the iconic World Peace Flame installed on campus.
On May 16, 2017, the Ashland Mayor and City Council proclaimed Ashland as a City of Peace as inspired by the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission. Ashland became the 163rd City of Peace and there are currently 406 International Cities of Peace in six continents in 2024. International Cities of Peace is an association of citizens, governments, and organizations who have by proclamation, resolution, or by citizen advocacy established their communities as official Cities of Peace. The official recognition of Ashland as an International City of Peace provides inspiration for all citizens to create an emerging, evolving, living model for thriving together as fellow humans.
Ashland as a city of peace is known to be innovative and a leader in the global community. We are in a global climate emergency, and we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions while addressing the changes and dangers that the climate is already presenting at global, regional, and local levels. Global leaders are beginning to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.
The sun gives life to all lives on earth. Without the sun, all lives will perish. It is the most powerful unifying energy and light that unites all lives on earth. Recently, as I stood in front of the World Peace Flame at the Thalden Pavilion, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face, knowing every person on earth experiences and relates to this all-life-giving energy. I was inspired to transition the World Peace Flame from burning biomass oil to the light that is powered by the sun to symbolize unity and renewal.
The World Peace Flame in Ashland will be the first World Peace Flame in the world to transition to solar energy, symbolizing peace in sustainability. The solar flame will inspire the local, regional, and global communities to take bold steps to reduce or halt greenhouse gas emissions and embrace this necessary evolution in thinking and action.
Southern Oregon University is committed to climate leadership for higher education. SOU’s Climate Action Plan is a high-level plan that establishes its goals and milestones to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission partners with SOU to transition the World Peace Flame from burning biomass oil to being solar-powered, achieving zero emission. We also thank our sponsor Architects of the New Paradigm, a project of RVML Community Resource Center, Ashland, OR.
On April 19, 2024, at 5:30 pm, please join us, and speakers SOU President Rick Bailey and Mayor Tonya Graham, to celebrate Earth Day and observe the first solar-powered World Peace Flame at the Thalden Pavilion to unite all humanity for peace and renewal.
