On February 3, Fred Ament, president of the International Peace Cities Association, announced new international peace cities. Weifang became China's second international peace city after Nanjing.
February 3 at 10:00, with the melodious bell sounded, thousands of white pigeons in Weixian Le Dao Yuan Western concentration camp museum flying over the sky. More than 100 representatives from all walks of life in Weifang gathered in Victory Friendship Monument Square, solemnly read the "Weifang International Peace City Declaration ", warmly celebrate that Weifang has became the UN International Peace City.
Being an international peace city is not only a major event to Weifang, but also an importance achieve for China. Meanwhile, vividly presents Weifang's city character of open and inclusive, integrated and symbiotic, which is the vision of peace issued to the world by nearly ten million people here who love peace.
Under the leadership of Weifang municipal government and the public department and the cultural and travel bureau, it took three years, more than 800 days of unremitting efforts, and more than 1000 related activities carefully prepared, finally joined the family of international peace city to create a miracle in the history of Weifang development.
"Peace is a concept, peace is respect, understanding, stability, prosperity, and in which people enjoy a high quality of life," said Ji Shuchun, promoter of Weifang's bid for international peace city and curator of Weifang City Museum. The peace in the hearts of the masses to breed countless hopes and guard forces for peace. To be a qualified peaceful cities, it is the starting point. Next, we should make full use of the platform of "International Peace City " to present the Chinese culture and vision of peace to the world,to tell peace stories,and convey the aspirations of the Chinese people to love peace and actively practices to keeping peace !"
Before the event, Mr. Fred Arment, President of the International Association of Peace Cities, sent a congratulation message to our city. Overseas Weixian concentration camp special website "Weihsien-Paintings"(paintings about Weixian County) manager Leo Porter Pande; Nanjing University UNESCO Peace School Peace Research Institute Director Professor, Liu Cheng, who is co-Joint promoter for Nanjing’s bid for International Peace City, respectively expressed congratulations to our city through by letters.
International peace cities, refers to in a specific urban administrative region, inherit the city's peace tradition, advocate peace and reconciliation, coalition government, universities, social groups and individuals, take peace as the concept of urban development, integrate the elements of peace in history, memory and ruins, and realize the multi-dimensional peace to maintain peace, creation and construction. A city form that comprehensively promotes urban development and promotes international peace.
The International Peace Cities Association is the only peace city association officially recognized by the United Nations, consisting of more than 300 peace cities in more than 60 countries and regions on six continents.
