The Words of the Redmond Family
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The Words of the Redmond Family |
Two hundred young international volunteers, notably from China and the United States, gathered in Chinquapin Park in Baltimore, Maryland, on August 15 for an environmental service project in recognition of the thirtieth anniversary of normalization of US-China relations. The project follows the just-concluded U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue and also involved volunteers from a number of African nations.
Local and international nonprofits, including the Youth Federation for World Peace U.S.A., the Education Association for China’s Tomorrow, the Tzu Chi Foundation, and the China Society, teamed up with the Mayor’s Office (for Children, Youth and Families), the Department of Recreation and Parks of the City of Baltimore, and Giant Food LLC to form a model public/private partnership. The volunteers supported the Baltimore City Parks and Recreation Department by removing invasive vegetation and picking up refuse in a park beautification effort.
Significantly, Maryland was one of the first U.S states to establish a special relationship with China. In 1980 the state entered in to a Sister State partnership with Anhui Province in China, the state’s oldest sister state program and one of its most active. The City of Baltimore has also has a partnership with the city of Xiamen that was established in 1985. Both the city and state worked together to foster these important relationships.
Lunch and entertainment followed the project, with special remarks from Jianmin Zhang, the Counselor of the Chinese Embassy; Mendy Nitsch, the director of International Affairs of Maryland’s Office of Secretary of State; John Dixon, the Chairman of the China Society; and Justin Fong, the U.S. executive director of the Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP).
A Chinese Lion Dance by the Wong People, a group that performed at the inaugural celebration parade for President Barack Obama, stirred the crowd and highlighted traditional Chinese culture. Local and international radio and television reporters covered the event in recognition of the growing ties between China and the United States, and as a model of volunteerism and cooperation.
Global Peace Service Alliance Director David Caprara praised the effort as exemplifying the promise of a new era of service, with Young Ambassadors for Peace from China, the U.S. and Kenya taking action to care for the environment beyond racial, cultural, and religious boundaries. “This exciting service project demonstrates the Global Peace Festival vision of creating a global peace corps where young people from diverse nations serve side-by-side in providing a model for a culture of peace."
“This service project highlights the intersection of three special elements,” added Fong: “the symbolic significance of a working relationship between the east and the west; the educational experience of working for the good of another’s community; and the element of cultural sharing of goodwill for each other. Youth Fed USA is a proud facilitator of this program. It is our hopes these experiences will act as a stepping stone to a more peaceful future, built by today’s youth.”
The Youth Federation for World Peace initiates and partners in service projects and leadership training to provide solutions to the worlds most pressing needs. It also works to open doors and expand opportunities for people of all backgrounds to give back to their communities. YFWP and the Global Peace Service Alliance have joined together with partners around the world, including Young Ambassadors for Peace, in advancing the Global Peace Festival's aims of building one family under God across all cultures and creeds.
Mathew Redmond is project director for YFWP-USA.