Article submitted by Fleur Creasy from Lake Taupo, New Zealand

"Be the change you want to see in the world"

  In an age of empire and military might, Mohandas Gandhi proved that the powerless had power and that force of arms would not forever prevail against force of spirit. The Mahatma, the Great Soul, endures in the best part of our minds, where our ideals are kept: the embodiment of human rights and the creed of nonviolence. Consciously or not, every oppressed people or group with a cause has practiced what Gandhi preached. Passionate commitment, nonviolent activism, willingness to accept punishment for civil disobedience were lessons he taught. Martin Luther King Jr. learned them; so did Nelson Mandela, Lech Walesa, and Aung San Suu Kyi, the unknown Chinese who defied the tanks in 1989.

Ghandi was a leader who cherished philosophical views and shared his views with others. Many who respected Ghandi respected him because they were indeed, in love with his mind and his inner strength which became who he was.

An international conference on Satyagraha, held on the 29^th of January in New Delhi, aimed to emphasize the relevance of Gandhi's values and philosophy in the contemporary world, attracting Nobel laureates and peace-lovers from over 80 nations. The theme of this years conference was "Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st century. It celebrated a centenary of the satyagraha movement, which was started by Mahatma Gandhi on September 11, 1906 in South Africa against apartheid.

The 10th Anniversary of  "A Season for Nonviolence" lasts for 64 ways from January 30th to  April 4th.  It is a reflection journey that allows the world to focus their attention on principles and practices that are oriented on the construction of a Culture of Peace; honoring the work of two great leaders, Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To help people develop their own "Season of Non-Violence" - 64 principles were adopted, known as "64 Ways in 64 Days"  To read these principles please click on the following link A Season for Nonviolence.doc

For more information visit  www.angt.org