A world march for peace has started off in Aotearoa New Zealand, a country chosen for its outstanding ranking in the Global Peace index and is well known for not engaging in international conflict. Peace leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand includes traditions such as Moriori, Parihaka and other indigenous communities and is a country that has prohibited nuclear weapons.
The march has been endorsed by leading figures such as the Dalai Lama, Yoko Ono (artist), Inter Milan (football team), Brian Adams (Musician), Arun Gandhi (Arun Gandhi's grandson), Queen Rania Al Abdullah (Queen of Jordan) Kerry Prendergast (Mayor of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand), Edgar Mitchell (Astronaut), and many more spiritual, political leaders, Heads of State, sports and entertainment celebrities and Nobel Laureates.
However, Aotearoa New Zealand has also alot of conflict within communities resulting in injustice and violence. Even with a sparse population, one of the highest rates of violent crimes are reported in the 'developed' world with 40 000 violent crimes reported, 100 murders and 7000 children abused in their homes each year. Nearly 30 % of women have reported to have been abused physically or sexually in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Read more about the arch on World March website
