Broome students learn peace message

"Peace begins with me" was the message taken away by local primary students last week when they welcomed members of global campaign Peace Run to the town.

The Sri Chinmoy Peace Run is a worldwide movement started by athlete, philosopher, artist, musician and poet Chinmoy in 1987, who dedicated his life to the pursuit of peace.

Peace Run is a global torch relay uniting thousands of communities and millions of people in more than 100 countries.

This year, participants from different nations including Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic and Romania embarked on a 15,000km torch relay around the continent to promote Chinmoy’s enduring message.

The famous figure believed people were all “torchbearers” for a better world through understanding and harmonious relationships between people of all nations, faiths and cultures. Chimnoy died in 2007, but his legacy has lived on and spread throughout the world.

The relay run started from Canberra on April 26 and will finish on August 15.

A cohort of runners arrived in Broome last week to meet Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell and students from Roebuck and Broome primary schools.

Australian Peace Run participant Amalendu Edelsten said Peace Run was a “vehicle to unite the world” and it started with individuals.

“We all have the same dream no matter what race, religion we are … we all want happiness and peace,” he said.