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----- Original Message -----
From: Heidrun Konrad
To: Evelin Wunder ; Club San Marino ; Club Vaduz ; Club Liechtenstein ; silvia ciucu ; Annemie van der Zanden Zwanenberg ; Bodil Kolbaek Rasmussen ; Britten Klöfver Stahl ; christin coleselli ; Christine Cromwell-Ahrens ; Dominique Blum ; Edle Utaaker ; Elisabeth Hersby ; Esther Redler ; Eva Martonyi ; Francoise Eisenring Barras ; Gudrun Horst ; Henny Knap-Go ; Hermine Jacobs ; Hilde Franckx ; Jolanta Stirbiene ; Kari Bonsaksen ; Khady Lo Beye ; Kolbrun Valdemarsdottir ; Lale Alkan ; Leena Viitaniemi ; Liliane Rasoamahenina ; Maggy Berckes ; Maria Rozko ; Maria Vittoria Figaia ; Marie Jeanne Devriendt ; Monique Fauré Croisier ; Olga Zaliene ; Pnina Even-Tal ; Popi Athanassiou ; Sigridur Augustsdottir ; Sirkku Niemi ; Traudl Eugster ; Wilma Malucelli ; Yvonne N'Zi ; Yvonne Rasoamanalina

Sent: Saturday, April 10, 2004 1:13 PM
Subject: Easter - Peace

Dear friends,

Easter is a meaningful feast to people of different creed. This year is special: Christians celebrate Easter and Jews commemorate Passover on the same day. Hopefully this is a good omen for countries that are divided by hate and war. For Soroptimists, a challenge to intensify our efforts for peace in this "Easter spirit".
One may say that all our efforts are in vain considering the threats and attacks which are daily reported by the media. But again: As women we must believe in the power to make a difference! A positive example: Just recently, Soroptimist donated 10.000.- € to Haitians women!
I am convinced that peace starts at home, that also small steps are successful and that everybody can make a contribution to a more peaceful world. Statesmen cannot make peace by themselves. They need the peace-mindedness of each of us.
Let us start peace projects in schools, in youth groups, at any level of our communities,! Our high ethical standards are certainly the best guideline. Only a few examples:

reject and fight all acts of violence in every day life (Awareness!)
start campaigns against violence in the media (Advocacy!)
support mediation projects (Actions!)
produce material for peace education
present role models
take measures against mobbing on the job
increase the use of renewable energies (today wars arise over oil, tomorrow they will arise over free access to freshwater)
fight against drug and substance abuse (they lead to aggression and criminality)
support the integration of refugees and migrants in the host country
try to understand other languages, cultures and beliefs….

Open your heart to people who need our help, and believe in our good strategy:
"From rhetoric to action!"

If you think you cannot realise a project for peace, please try to find personalities to sign the Soroptimist of Europe Peace Charter or send Peace Dolls with your personal peace message to them. They are symbols for our strong will to establish a culture of peace.

It's up to all of us!

With my best wishes for a peaceful Easter and Passover
Heidi

Heidrun Konrad
SI/E President 03-05