May Peace Prevail on Earth

The Peace Pole Project was started in Japan by The World Peace Prayer Society, a non-profit, non-denominational organization founded in 1955 by Masahisa Goi. The project was launched with a dedication to uplift humankind toward harmony rather than conflict. War begins with thoughts of war... peace begins with thoughts of peace. The Peace Pole reminds us to keep peace ever present in our thoughts. To date, friends and supporters have dedicated over 200,000 poles in 180 countries around the world.

A Peace Pole is a hand-crafted monument that displays the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” on each of its four to six sides in different languages. They are usually planted in ceremonies at which they have been dedicated by many people including President Jimmy Carter, Mother Theresa, Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama. Peace poles have been purchased and planted by elementary school children, college students, and civic and religious groups. You will find a peace pole at the magnetic North Pole, the Pyramids of El Giza in Egypt, Confucius Burial Site in Taiwan, Gorky Park in Russia, the Allenby Bridge on the border between Israel and Jordan, and the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, Japan.

The Global Education Department chose to have Century’s first Peace Pole represent the five most commonly spoken languages on campus:

Kom kev thaj yeeb mauj rau ntiaj tep no.  Hmong

Ìèð ìàÿ ïðåîáëàäàåò íà çåìëå.  Russian

Que la paz prevalezca en la tierra.  Spanish

Dunidu nabad ha ku waarto.  Somali

May peace prevail on earth.  English

“Peace on earth can only become a reality when all people rise above national boundaries, politics, religion and ideologies. We need to celebrate our cultural diversities rather than using them as a reason for conflict.”         Masami Saionji,  The World Peace Prayer Society