The meeting brought together interfaith and Indigenous peacebuilders to reflect on trust, dialogue, compassion, environmental stewardship, and practical work for peace.
Morgana Sythove (URI Netherlands) opened with a prayer and reflection calling for friendship across borders, justice without violence, compassion, and reconciliation. The meeting was framed as part of the “In Dialogue” series, International Day of Peace activities and the World March for Peace and Nonviolence
“For peace is not silence it is justice walking.
It is kindness speaking it is truth embraced without violence.
It is love made visible in the ordinary deeds of ordinary people.
So let this March of Peace be more than a procession. Let it become a river of goodwill, flowing through every city, every village, every nation, Until the map of the world is no longer coloured by conflict, but illumined by countless acts of courage, compassion, and reconciliation. And when future generations ask what we did in this decisive hour, may they answer:
They chose hope over hatred.
They chose healing over harm.
They chose the Earth over empire.
They chose one another.
So may Peace walk before us, may Justice walk beside us, may Wisdom guide our steps.
May Love be the path beneath our feet and may all beings,
Known and unknown, human and more-than-human, share together in the blessing of a peaceful world.
So may it be. Amen, Aho, Salam, Shalom, Blessed Be!"
Carola Goodwin (URI Netherlands) continued and described trust as essential to peacebuilding and identified four practical foundations: competence, reliability, integrity, and benevolence. Participants shared personal approaches to restoring trust: Catherine Starr (Global Trustee Multiregion) emphasized being trustworthy, while Margaret Somerville / (Interfaith Alignment CC) described curiosity and openness toward different faiths and worldviews.
Ram Mohan Rai (Ghandhi Global Family), stressed that peace begins in homes, schools, neighbourhoods, communities, and individual hearts—not only in international conference rooms.
Speaking about Peace and Earth, Catherine presented the poem “One Ocean, One Humanity, One Family,” connecting peace with care for rivers, oceans, forests, communities, and all living beings.
May peace flow through us as rivers flow to the sea. May hope rise within us as the tide embraces every shore. May our hearts remain open, our hands joined, our spirits united. For we are not strangers. We are one human family, journeying together upon one sacred Earth. May peace begin within us. May peace flow between us. May peace embrace all peoples, all creatures, all waters, and all the living Earth. Now and for the generations yet to come.
One Ocean. One Humanity. One Family.
Amen, Blessed Be. Aho, Shalom, Salaam, Peace.
Karin Lindeman-Boere and Catherina Giskes (Sacred Circle of the Indigenous Women of Europe) live from the Peace Palace, shared a little bit about the Peace Palace ceremony, the World Peace Flame, a peace walk from a creek in The Hague, and the continuing work of the Sacred Circle of Indigenous Women for Europe.
(Catharina singing a Song of the Water)
Bart ten Broek (URI Netherlands & former Global Trustee Region Europe) also joined us live from the Peace Palace.
Margaret highlighted the Week of Prayer for World Peace, scheduled for October 11–18, 2026 and focus on justice, peace, and care for creation at the Abbey on Iona.
Indigenous Rights; Erena introduced the Culture and Heritage of Indigenous Peoples Scandinavia, Nordic -CHIPS CC (Region EUROPE) initiative, covering Sámi, Inuit, Kven, Finnish Forest, and other Indigenous communities. She raised concerns about disappearing languages, restrictions on cultural practices, resource extraction, and limited grassroots platforms for Indigenous voices. Erena & Morgana will be presenting in collaboration with URI Europe, more about Healing the Earth, the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, and the ‘Plight of Indigenous People’ and their fight for rights at the upcoming meeting on October 18, 2026.
The main question is how can these networks maintain practical coordination beyond dialogue and ceremonies?
One way is to protect cultural identity and language and supporting efforts to preserve Indigenous languages, traditions, music, and spiritual practices, including Sami cultural practices such as joik and drumming. Erena warned that languages and traditions are disappearing rapidly. We can increase Indigenous visibility and leadership, by creating platforms for Indigenous people to represent themselves and share their priorities. Erena described her role as an intermediary who hopes to hand the work over to the communities themselves. We can support grassroots advocacy and land rights, by continuing to work for Indigenous, land, and human rights, and raise concerns about mineral and oil extraction affecting Indigenous lands. Do join us on October 18th and keep the issue on the agenda!
Salette Aquino (Former Global Trustee Region Caribbean and Latin America, from Brazil) summarized the themes of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, including nuclear disarmament, rejecting war, sustainability, non-discrimination, and active nonviolence.
Salette cited a letter from Rafael de la Rubia, September 4, 2026 in which he writes; “Our goal is for all people to act manifestly in favor of "Peace and Non-violence," contributing to the human process. Division is not made by being right or left; the division is whether one is in favor of peace and non-violence or whether other values are placed above these, such as money, force, things of that nature. For example, it is not possible that, as OXFAM says, 1% of the population holds 95% of the planet's resources. We have to change that. As it stands, we are heading towards chaos and self-destruction…
Each organization works with its own interests, methodology, and resources. The only thing they all share is a common commitment to spreading the principles of Peace and Non-violence. We have already worked with more than three thousand organizations that have participated in these initiatives, and many more can join…”
Dofa Francis (Greening Taraba) offered greetings from Nigeria, and talked about their efforts in peacebuilding by planting trees.
Ram Mohan Rai closed with a Sanskrit prayer for universal happiness, freedom from suffering, and well-being.
“Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niraamayaah Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih"
English Meaning:
Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah: May all be happy. Sarve Santu Niraamayaah: May all be free from illness/disease. Sarve Bhadraani Pashyantu: May all see/experience what is auspicious and good. Maa Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhaag-Bhavet: May no one suffer or experience sorrow. Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih: Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
Final closing words - Morgana: Peace for the people. Peace for the Earth. Peace for all beings.
And as the Wheel turns, may we turn with it from conflict toward cooperation,
from domination toward partnership, from fear toward trust,
from separation toward belonging.
For there is one Earth beneath us, one atmosphere around us,
one great ocean embracing us, one Sun shining upon us all.
May we remember.
May we restore.
May we reconcile.
May we walk together in peace.
By Earth that sustains us, by Air that gives us breath,
by Fire that gives us courage, by Water that connects all life,
and by the sacred Spirit that moves through all things—
May Peace arise. May Peace endure.
May Peace become our way of walking upon the Earth.
So may it be. Amen Aho, Salam, Shalom, Blessed Be!
A recording of the event is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m4Q6IzvpoU