News & Events
30th June, 2009 - Israel Authorities Detain Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire
The Nobel Women’s Initiative is deeply concerned by the detention of Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and other human rights activists on the Free Gaza Movement mission to deliver aid to the people of Gaza by boat. Israeli Naval Forces forcibly boarded the Free Gaza boat and detained the human rights workers late this afternoon, 23 miles off the coast of Gaza. Earlier in the day, the Israeli Naval Forces ordered the boat—at gun-point—to turn back.
Maguire is traveling on the Free Gaza fishing boat, accompanied by a sister boat called the Spirit of Humanity. The boats are carrying construction materials, three tons of medical supplies, and suitcases full of children’s toyss—all items banned by the Israeli government.
The approximately 30 activists on board include a former Congresswoman, Cynthia McKinney, as well as envoys from Gulf nations. This is the eighth mission of the Free Gaza Movement, an international human rights group formed in 2006 to bring attention to the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Past mission participants have included parliamentarians, human rights workers, and other dignitaries.
Before embarking on the journey, Maguire said: “We sail to Gaza to break this cruel siege of Gaza by the Israeli Government, and to show the people of Gaza that the world does care what is happening to them.”
“It is appalling that in this the 2lst century, the Israeli government is allowed to carry out its policy of collective punishment of an entire people [by continuing] to keep borders closed and refuse the people of Gaza basic necessities for living - food, medicines, cement, and building materials.”
Mairhead and Betty (December 2008) Paris: Nobel Peace Conference
Note to reader: Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and Betty Williams were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for their peace work in Northern Ireland. Mairead was the aunt of the three children who died as a result of being hit by an Irish Republican Army getaway car after its driver was shot by a British soldier. Mairead responded to the violence facing her family and community by organizing, with Betty Williams, massive peace demonstrations appealing for an end to the bloodshed.
By bkalsi | June 30, 2009
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5th June, 2009 - History was made today
Betty William’s has always had a dream …. a dream to help refugee children seeking shelter in safe zones countries to be housed, nurtured and educated. Through the Cities of Peace for Children, the main focus of WCCCI has been to find a country where we could build a city and give children hope. Hope to believe that there is a possibility to live a life and feel accepted by humanity. Understanding that these children have no home, Betty has fought for over 30 years to see each child has their right to be considered a valued human being.
And her dream has come true.
Through the compassion of the Italian people, the first city is about to open its doors to refugee children in the region of Basilicata. With the strength and determination of Betty Williams, Rusti Findley, Laura Kiss and Enzo Curzo, WCCCI has created history with the first charity to also have a working foundation run the first City of Peace for Children.
On 5th June, 2009, Betty was in Basilicata with the wonderful Vito de Filippo (President of Basilicata), Salvatore Iacobellis (Mayor of Scanzano Jonico), Domenico Esposito (Mayor of Sant’Arcangelo), and other notable guests to sign the papers and official create a foundation that would run the City of Peace for Children in Basilicata.
Known as Città della Pace Basilicata ONLUS Foundation (CDP ONLUS), the foundation is now legally operational, and ready to run the daily activities in Basilicata.
To all who have been involved with creating this historic moment, we thank you with all our hearts. Humanity will look to this event, and will see the amazing people who took one small step forward in changing the lives of children who reached out their hands for help, and found the love of the Italian people.
(Please check out the photo gallery for pictures from the signing ceremony.)
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Betty Williams with Vito de Fillippo
Betty William’s has always had a dream …. a dream to help refugee children seeking shelter in safe zones countries to be housed, nurtured and educated. Through the Cities of Peace for Children, the main focus of WCCCI has been to find a country where we could build a city and give children hope. Hope to believe that there is a possibility to live a life and feel accepted by humanity. Understanding that these children have no home, Betty has fought for over 30 years to see each child has their right to be considered a valued human being.
And her dream has come true.
Through the compassion of the Italian people, the first city is about to open its doors to refugee children in the region of Basilicata. With the strength and determination of Betty Williams, Rusti Findley, Laura Kiss and Enzo Curzo, WCCCI has created history with the first charity to also have a working foundation run the first City of Peace for Children.
On 5th June, 2009, Betty was in Basilicata with the wonderful Vito de Filippo (President of Basilicata), Salvatore Iacobellis (Mayor of Scanzano Jonico), Domenico Esposito (Mayor of Sant’Arcangelo), and other notable guests to sign the papers and official create a foundation that would run the City of Peace for Children in Basilicata.
Known as Città della Pace Basilicata ONLUS Foundation (CDP ONLUS), the foundation is now legally operational, and ready to run the daily activities in Basilicata.
To all who have been involved with creating this historic moment, we thank you with all our hearts. Humanity will look to this event, and will see the amazing people who took one small step forward in changing the lives of children who reached out their hands for help, and found the love of the Italian people.
(Please check out the photo gallery for pictures from the signing ceremony.)
By bkalsi | June 7, 2009
Topics: News and Events | 1 Comment »
“Probonafide” the web designers for WCCCI were featured in an article by Fullbleed – the web magazine by Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington.
In an interview by John Clemmer, Nguyet M. Vuong commented on the power of communication and how important it is in the success of any business or organization. Read the full article at: Fullbleed: Pro-bono Design Series
Nguyet M. Vuong and Crystal Curtis were involved with designing the new WCCCI website that went live in August 2008.
“WCCCI was given a boost to the work we were doing by the participation of two wonderful women who gave us a professional website that became an outstanding vehicle for Betty Williams and her organization,” commented Tony Dunkel, President of WCCC-US. “When we look at how much we have achieved within a year, we are truly astonished by the impact and positive response generated by people interacting with the website. Nguyet and Crystal have allowed WCCCI an opportunity to voice the plight of refugee children around the world and the need for Peace. Their exceptional creativity and dynamic personalities were a given match for this organization, and their ongoing contribution to our work is priceless.”
By bkalsi | June 1, 2009
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1st June, 2009 - XIII Games of the Small States of Europe (Nicosia, Cyprus)
Mario Frangoulis will sing at the opening ceremony of the XIII Games of the Small States of Europe on Monday 1st June, 2009 in Nicosia, Cyprus.
The Ambassador of Peace for WCCCI will sing the official anthem of the Games which was originally written by Cypriot composer Vasos Argyrides and the lyrics were by Bampis Anayiotos.
Mario was honored to be chosen to sing at the opening ceremony, and expressed his enthusiasm at being part of such an amazing event. Understanding how sport has a positive impact in creating national unity and fostering goodwill, Mario felt that this was a great opportunity to also drive the message through to children on how sport and peace are so critical in creating a better world.
From Betty Williams and her WCCCI team, we wish all the contestants a wonderful games, and we pray that the Small States of Europe join together and share a greater understanding of how together, we can show the rest of the world that we can also live in Peace.
By bkalsi | May 30, 2009
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23rd May, 2009: With open arms we will change the world (Palermo, Italy)
Thousands of students will take part in a rally to demonstrate their fight against Mafia domination. On 23rd May, 2009, a ship will set sail from Napoli to Palermo where students will come together and hug their peers to open a day which marks the XVII anniversary of the Capaci massacre.
The primary focus of the day will be to debate, among other issues, the setting up of an economic fabric, free from influence, and ready to face the challenges generated by today’s economic climate where we can still develop opportunities for the future.
The event is being organized by the Italian Ministry for Education, University and Research, as well as the Giovanni e Francesca Falcone Foundation.
Students will enter the bunker courtroom of the Ucciardone prison where the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano will deliver his welcoming speech. He will initially address the commitment to continue fighting Mafia and to ensure we remember the victims of the Capaci massacre.
Other speakers at the debate will include Mrs Mariastella Gelmini (Minister), Mr Angelino Alfano (Minister of Justice), Mr Pietro Grasso (Chief Prosecutor of the National Anti-Mafia Bureau), Mrs Emma Marcegaglia (President of the General Confederation of the Italian Industry), Mr Francesco Messineo (Public Prosecutor of Palermo), and Betty Williams (Nobel Peace Laureate and Founder of World Centers of Compassion for Children International).
Students / delegates will have the opportunity to travel to four different places in Palermo which, thanks to the efforts of local schools, will become Villages of Lawfulness where students from all over Italy will have the opportunity to meet and be connected via satellite to the bunker courtroom.
23rd May will become an annual symbol by the people within Palermo and Italy as the day they remember the massacre, but more importantly, their strength and commitment to fight Mafia domination. Students will gather each year to participate in an event which will symbolize their desire for the need to build and fulfill their ambition without limitation.
By bkalsi | May 21, 2009
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27th March, 2009 - Huffington Post carries the article Nuclear waste? No grazie!
Laura Kiss, President of WCCC-Italia met with Arianna Huffington when she attended the Media Conference in Rome (11th March, 2009). They spoke about the work of WCCCI, and the first City of Peace for Children in the region of Basilicata, Italy.
Read the article “Nuclear Waste? No grazie!”
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/laura-kiss/nuclear-waste-no-grazie_b_178810.html)
By bkalsi | March 28, 2009
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5th March, 2009 - Women’s World Awards (Vienna, Austria)
The Women’s World Awards ceremony held in Vienna, Austria on 5th March, 2009 was a tremendous success for all the recipients. This was an opportunity for extraordinary women to finally receive global recognition for their achievements.
Betty Williams received the Women’s World Achievement Award to a standing ovation. She thanked the audience and the Women’s World Awards for their gift.
In her thank you speech, Betty highlighted the ongoing work to support and protect children in dangerous situations. Having travelled the world for the last 30 years, and listening to the horror that children have been subjected to, Betty created the Universal Declaration of Rights for Children which is a direct reflection of their needs and their voice. She read the Declaration to the captivated audience, and you too can read a copy by going to the tab Our Work.
More highlights from the Awards ceremony will be provided in the next few weeks, including a blog from Betty. In the meantime, please check out the following link to the Women’s World Awards (http://www.womensworldawards.com/main.asp) and a video that quickly highlights some of the moments (http://www.vimeo.com/3554323) from the ceremony.
There is also a blog from Bobby Kalsi, VP Operations Lead for WCCCI, who attended the Awards ceremony with Betty, and it is available to read under the Your Voice tab and In Your Own Words.
By bkalsi | March 10, 2009
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5th March, 2009 - Betty Williams to receive the Women’s World Achievement Award in Vienna, Austria
Betty Williams is to receive the Women’s World Achievement Award in Vienna, Austria on 5th March, 2009. Georg Kindel, Chairman and Founder of The World Awards stated that the World Award’s Committee had based its decision on her extraordinary humanitarian and philanthropic efforts, which have not only helped many children around the globe but also serve as an inspiration to people around the world.
The Women’s World Awards will be presented in 12 different categories to extraordinary women from throughout the world whose achievements contribute to furthering self-determination, gender equality, freedom and the elimination of all forms of social and economic discrimination.
The categories for the awards include; World Achievement Award, World Tolerance Award, World Social Award, World Arts Award, World Future Award, World Actress Award, World Entertainment Award, World Media Award, World Fashion Award, World Charity Award, World Business Award, and Woman of the Year Award.
For further information on the World Awards, please visit the following website:
http://www.womensworldawards.com/main.asp.
By bkalsi | February 14, 2009
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December 11 - 13, 2008. 9th World Peace Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates
“Human rights and a World without violence”
Betty Williams and WCCCI team attended the 9th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates where the summit sessions touched upon the following questions:
1. How can we build peace through the safeguard of human rights?
2. What are the strategies to affirm the universalism of the fundamental rights?
3. How to ensure the defense of individual rights in today’s world?
4. How to foster the establishment of the democratic values worldwide?
5. How to make rights concrete by eliminating social and financial inequalities among people in our societies?
This Summit represented an opportunity for the Nobel Peace Laureates to elaborate strategies of international policies, which will be implemented to ensure a real observance of the principles, reflected in the Declaration.
The Summit also saw an emphasis by the world to once again ask for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, with companies like Lancia joining the campaign.
Free Aung San Suu Kyi - Campaign by Lancia
By bkalsi | December 16, 2008
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December 7, 2008 – Nevada Smiths (74 Third St, New York City)
A charity event will be held to raise money for WCCCI. The event called ‘Culture of Compassion’ was put together by Swati Shah to help raise money for the Center of Compassion in Basilicata, Italy. The evening will bring together people from New York City’s communities to help create awareness for children and refugees worldwide.
The event will consist of a silent art auction, with art donated by Caribbean and New York City artists; with musical performances by Opera on Tap and Morley; and Adidas donated door prizes. A representative from WCCCI will also be present to give an overview of the Center of Compassion.
For more information on the event and tickets, please visit the following website: www.cultureofcompassion.info
By bkalsi | December 1, 2008
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