Wednesday, January 23, 2002

Ark of Hope to Carry Earth Charter to United Nations

NEW YORK CITY—January 23, 2002—Supporters of the Earth Charter, led by renowned soprano saxophonist Paul Winter, will walk the Ark of Hope to the United Nations tomorrow (2/24) as part of an exhibit during the second preparatory meeting for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the tenth anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit.  The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful world.

The Earth Charter is the product of a decade-long, worldwide, cross-cultural conversation about common goals and shared values. It is an important expression of the hopes and aspirations of the emerging global civil society.

The Ark of Hope is a beautifully hand-crafted chest originally created for a celebration of the Earth Charter held on Sept. 9, 2001 in Vermont, at which Jane Goodall gave the keynote speech. The lid of the Ark is lined with ahand-scribed papyrus copy of the Earth Charter and contains hundreds of expressions of hope, healing and gratitude called the Temenos Books, created by artists, schoolchildren and ordinary citizens in and around the state of Vermont.

The artist who created the Ark, Sally Linder, and hundreds of volunteers, began a 60-day peace walk following the September 11 terrorist attacks to accompany the 200-pound chest from Burlington, Vermont, through Massachusetts and Connecticut, into New York with the goal of presenting it at the United Nations.  Legendary singer and activist Pete Seeger and other friends of the Earth Charter greeted the Ark upon its arrival in New York City on Nov. 8, 2001. The Ark sailed down the Hudson River aboard the environmental sloop Clearwater,

The Ark will be walked to the United Nations tomorrow at 11:30 am from its current home at The Interfaith Center of New York.  It is expected to arrive at the U.N. at 2:30 pm where it will remain on display in the lobby gallery through Feb. 19.

Statement of Sally Linder

Creator of the Ark of Hope

On Thursday January 24, 2002 the Ark of Hope will be carrying the Earth Charter and the Temenos Books to the United Nations. There is an open invitation to join the wonderful experience of walking alongside the ark, 15 to 20 blocks, from the Interfaith Center of New York to the United Nations.

 

Despite the fact that it will be colder than during the two months it took to bring it to New York from Vermont, certainly the good cheer and white light that surrounded the ark during that leg of its journey will be with all the participants again.

The ark will be in the United Nations during the World Summit Preparatory Conference. More and more it seems that this new year will be the year of the Earth Charter. Many people from many lands have worked very hard to bring the Earth Charter to light and then to bring the light into the world. Let us cup our hands around this flame so that it may burn forever.

Peace, joy and light.