International Children's Peace Mission to USSR, joining hands—and HEARTS!—with former President Mikhail Gorbachev
American kids on peace missions welcomed by world leaders
Since the formation of Peace to the Planet (formerly Children as the Peacemakers) in 1982, Patricia Montandon has led groups of children from 33 countries on missions to the White House, the Kremlin, the Vatican, the United Nations, and parliaments around the globe. Time and again, as if by a magic spell, Montandon’s children have gained access to powerful government leaders with a minimum of red tape and often even without appointments.
The thing I learned the most from our travels was how a group of dedicated people, at an early age, can change the world. That’s what inspired me to go into politics, to change those things that desperately need to be changed. We were too young before now to do anything on our own, but I consider this a wake-up call for all of us. Service is what makes life a joy. – John Velasquez, 1984-1985 Peace Mission: Rome-Czechoslovakia-Poland-Romania-Bulgaria-Yugoslavia-Hungary-USSR-France
Uncoached in the ways of diplomacy, the children offer their honest, direct comments and ask challenging questions that sometimes stun their adult chaperones. Where many a statesman has failed, Patricia Montandon and the children have succeeded in opening valuable dialogues about peace with USSR’s Mikhail Gorbachev, China’s Premier Zhao, West Germany’s Helmut Kohl, Pope John Paul II, the late Indira Gandhi, Israel’s Menachem Begin, Egypt’s Jehan Sedat, and many more world leaders.
Now grown children, many of these international ambassadors for peace are contributing to the world in the fields of medicine, education, technology, industry, diplomacy–and yes, even by participating in Peace to the Planet initiatives! Two of our alumnae are in leadership roles for our organization.
Now grown children, many of these international ambassadors for peace are contributing to the world in the fields of medicine, education, technology, industry, diplomacy–and yes, even by participating in Peace to the Planet initiatives! Two of our alumnae are in leadership roles for our organization.
DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE
We hereby dedicate ourselves, our hearts and minds, to world peace.
We believe all humankind deserves a future free from the threat of nuclear war.
We will encourage peace between individuals and nations and clasp hands with the children of the world in a global effort toward preserving the planet
We hereby dedicate ourselves, our hearts and minds, to world peace.
We believe all humankind deserves a future free from the threat of nuclear war.
We will encourage peace between individuals and nations and clasp hands with the children of the world in a global effort toward preserving the planet
Kids on peace mission having Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sign our Children's Declaration of Dependence
(My association with Children As The Peacemakers) has shown me how much can be done when people decide to take action. It has also made me much more interested in current news about people or places that the Peacemakers introduced me to. It has had an impact on my life by teaching me something new about peace in the world. It has actually changed my life by introducing new hope towards my future concerning peace, and my various other daily activities. Dr. Lisa Grant, 1983 Peace Mission participant, California
Kids on peace mission playing peace game with Ulan Fu, Vice President of the People's Republic of China