Reflection & Development
Looking Back
How do you create peace? The question stands at the heart of ARK. War and violence come too easily. Bombs, guns, bullets, battleships ~ we human beings build and use them without a second thought. Creating peace, however, is much harder. The youth-based ARK Advisory Board drafted this mission statement in 2004 to move them forward in their quest to become peace builders:
Architects • Relationships • Knowledge
ARK exists to empower, unite and help equip
globally diverse youth to become Architects of
a culture of peace, through building Relationships,
expanding Knowledge, and
constructing their new roadmap for peace.
2004
This mission statement, which has been revised in 2010, was central in defining the objectives for two week summits that met in 2003 in Guatemala, (ARK I), 2004, in Minnesota (ARK II), 2005 in Bethlehem, (ARK III),. 2007 in Minnesota (ARK IV), and 2009 in Guatemala (ARK V). Young people gathered to learn about the unique history of each country and the diverse cultural, socio-economic, political and religious diversity that defines them. The 60 youth and 15 adult leaders represent:
- African, Native, Anglo, Viet Nam Americans and Hawaiian from the USA
- Africans from Malawi, Africa
- Indigenous Mayans from San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala
- Jordanians from Amman
- Lebanese from Beirut
- Lithuania
- Palestinians from Bethlehem
Looking Forward
ARK participants focused on their mission statement using the core principles of cooperation, appreciation of diversity, responsible decision making and conflict resolution skills. They developed a worldview that reshaped their understanding of themselves and the importance of their global responsibility and commitment. They became FAMILY.
Following ARK V in 2009 the mission statement was reset in 2010 keeping their name ARK, which represents Architects, Relationships, Knowledge, to reflect who they have become:
ARK is a global, intergenerational, multi-faith FAMILY,
committed to responsible World Citizenship
as active Architects of a Culture of Peace
energized through Relationships and Knowledge.
2010
ARK VI to be held in 2011, has invited youth from Afghanistan and youth classified as immigrants to USA from Somali and Iran. ARK VI will also engage experienced elder peace builders who represent the fastest growing population in the world. They offer the priceless gift of the wisdom of a lifetime of waging peace. They welcome the opportunity to partner with global youth who are emerging as peace building architects and with them forge a new world culture of peace.
Time Table
July 31 ~ August 13, 2011
ARK Summit VI ~ University of Minnesota
“Expanding the Boundaries of ARK’s Global Peace Family”
July 2012 ~ Honolulu, Hawaii
“Torn Fabric of Peace Mended by Common Threads”
Artists from Middle East, Lithuania, Guatemala, Africa, Viet Nam, Afghanistan, and the United States weaving a world vision of peace. ARK Family as mentors.
Summer of 2013 ~ Lithuania or Malawi, Africa
“Global Youth and Elders Come to the Table of Peace”
New countries to celebrate the 2000 UN Charter of Peace for Children and Youth
