Me Rongo Peace Congress
Rekohu, November 2011
The Congress has been an event that has been part of the cultural identity of the Chatham Islands for hundreds of years. A commitment to establishing and holding on to a covenant of peace and conflict resolution has been in place on Rēkohu for over 500 years – the world’s oldest known consistent peace tradition.
Moriori regularly held gatherings to affirm the covenant, particularly in response to crises. This Congress only differs in that we are gathering from around the globe. In 2009 Hokotehi held the blessing for the World March for Peace and Non-Violence and then attended the close of the march in Punta de Vacas, Argentina three months later. In 2010, Hokotehi facilitated a Congress session on Peace, Sustainability and Respect at the 12th International Society of Ethnobiologists Congress in Tofino, Canada where we were joined by presenters from the Hopi Nation and Kanaka Maoli from Hawai’i. The 2011 Congress aimed to build on these special events and become a regular learning experience (every second year) in the lead up to the creation of an international Peace Education Centre on the island.
I spoke at the conference about holistic learning as a way to support balance and peace.
Downloads
Congress Proceedings
Me Rongo 2011 Declaration
website: www.merongo.com.
Moriori regularly held gatherings to affirm the covenant, particularly in response to crises. This Congress only differs in that we are gathering from around the globe. In 2009 Hokotehi held the blessing for the World March for Peace and Non-Violence and then attended the close of the march in Punta de Vacas, Argentina three months later. In 2010, Hokotehi facilitated a Congress session on Peace, Sustainability and Respect at the 12th International Society of Ethnobiologists Congress in Tofino, Canada where we were joined by presenters from the Hopi Nation and Kanaka Maoli from Hawai’i. The 2011 Congress aimed to build on these special events and become a regular learning experience (every second year) in the lead up to the creation of an international Peace Education Centre on the island.
I spoke at the conference about holistic learning as a way to support balance and peace.
Downloads
Congress Proceedings
Me Rongo 2011 Declaration
website: www.merongo.com.