For over 20 years, I’ve devoted myself to environmental action, beginning with the launch of Environment Online in 2000. Initially, our efforts focused on the simple yet powerful act of planting trees, reconnecting people with nature one tree at a time. This year, as I reflect on the next chapter, Peace Circle emerges as a vision that goes even further — a place within the community that not only symbolizes peace and sustainability but also integrates these values into the everyday environments where people live. Peace Circle aspires to inspire individuals to engage, reflect, and take meaningful action right in their own surroundings.
Upon entering the Peace Circle park, the Peace Tree stands at the center—a symbol of unity and resilience. Above it, the Head Line stretches out, embodying clarity and wisdom. To the left, where your heart would be, lies the Heart Line, a reminder of the empathy, compassion, and emotional growth we all carry within us. To the right, the Hands Line is positioned like an outstretched hand, representing action, community, and the tangible steps we take toward peace and sustainability.
Peace Circle reflects a broad vision of cultivation, blending emotional and intellectual growth. It is not simply a place for formal knowledge or isolated facts; rather, it invites us to understand, appreciate, and care for one another and the natural world. This cultivation of heart and mind at Peace Circle embodies a way of living peacefully and harmoniously—of feeling empathy and taking responsibility for the world around us, while intellectual growth deepens our understanding of these values.
The spaces within Peace Circle serve as environments for learning on multiple levels. Cultivation of both heart and mind is accessible to all through everyday actions and reflections, complemented by opportunities to explore themes of peace, sustainability, and community in greater depth. In this way, Peace Circle combines personal growth with knowledge, inviting everyone to contribute to peace and sustainable development through both inner growth and informed action.
These spaces are more than symbolic; they are places where heart and mind unite. Here, each person can experience empathy, learn something new, and connect to shared values—ultimately fostering a sustainable future where heart and mind come together to strengthen communities and inspire future generations.
Comments