The Final Call – What Did You Do in the Olympic Summer of 2012?

A heartfelt plea from Gordon Sillence Tourism Olympic Peace co-ordinator

This is the final call.  Whatever you read on from here, I blame myself really – I have done too little, too late.

But for the last three years I have written thousands of emails, made proposals,   used the social media, taken planes, trains, buses and taxis around the world to endless conferences and meetings, talked on Skype and telephone, been on television, and spent my evenings and weekends and holidays working for the one thing I thought everyone wanted …

On the way I found a small but determined and even more dedicated group of people than me, spending their lives working for the same thing … they have kept me inspired to run right to the finish line, and that’s where we are now fast approaching  as the crises rage around us, consuming millions …

Yet 9 out of 10 people don’t even know about it, something everyone’s government in the world has unanimously and historically signed up to, but the mass media has made a point of ignoring, and our governments have turned around to say ‘there’s a lot out there but don’t be scared, who needs action when you’ve got words …’

Now I am tired of the well-worded No’s, the reasoned excuses, or the silence of the non-replies. And I am afraid.  When I sleep at night it’s not any catholic guilt that opens my eyes wide to the bolt terror of gun shots, the sight of screaming children clinging to the dead bodies of their brothers, mournful mothers wailing, the dangling limbs of bloodied corpses in the rubble of a bombed-out building, the tight-shut eyes and tear-stained face of that broken rape victim, the lotus monk self set on fire …. No these are the images of CNN, the BBC, Sky TV, YouTube reality.  You see them too, don’t you?

Who needs action when you’ve got words …  The UN member states all signed up for a historic six weeks of Global Peace to mark the traditional Truce during this Summer’s Olympic Games in London. I was proud of my government for taking this diplomatic initiative last year on 17th October, when my teenage Olympic hero – now Lord Sebastian Coe head of LOCOG – ran the extra political mile to make sure that even South Sudan and Iran signed up to the UN-UK resolution calling for a global peace from 25th July to 9th September, in the classic Greek spirit of Ekecheiria – a time-bound peace between warring nations, so all may find relief from grief, and the opportunity to travel in safe passage, and compete as friends, not foes.

I am not so proud that they have squandered this Olympic opportunity to put their money where their mouths were, and instead torch us blind to the reality of the endless global war machine with a gross and glitzy Olympic celebrity Games show that has hidden the Truce from us, and twisted the truth to conceal its own continued warring efforts. And I thought only Nazi Germany or China used the Games as propaganda – or have I missed the Truce peace plan for Iraq and Afghanistan, or any other war zone for that matter?

I won’t name those who’s words were empty- they will know who they are – I’ll name those who have had the heart and vision to rise about self-interest, and work for those who need this peace so desperately that they – those forgotten victims of violent greed – are dying for it.  My compassionate colleagues have helped  identify 20 plus youths from conflict zones and areas of violence around the world to come to London to train as Olympic Youth Peace Ambassadors to make this Olympic truce meaningful for those who need it most – those in South Sudan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Tibet. Somalia, and all those other hells on earth where violence rules, war has raged and weapons ruin the lives, hopes and dreams of millions for the profit of the few and the preservation of this blood-stained status quo …

But for all the money that has flowed between the men whose governments and companies run these deadly Games, not one Pound or Euro, not one Cent, Yen or Renmimbi was put on the table to help make this Olympic Dream come true for just these few. The programme I envisaged and worked to create alongside the others who have done far more than me, hangs by a thread. You can see our vision, strategy and call to action on the website Olympic Rings of Light, but this potentially game-changing strategy won’t reach the light of day.   I have failed to secure sufficient commitment for travel, accommodation and workshop space at this late stage. I fear that time has run out on the logistics of organising an Olympic scale effort to create a lasting  London 2012 legacy of a global youth programme  backed by UNESCO that would work on realising the Truce at successive Olympics, forever more supporting shell-shocked youths around the world in their darkest, distressed, isolated daze.

We have a plan B, –  I am going to be dead honest with you – with the blessings of my ever-supporting partner, we are putting up our savings to fly these youths over, which isn’t much, but enough to bring ten of them here, a token peace force, to be trained as UNESCO Olympic Youth Peace Ambassadors.  Supporters are coming to London at our own expenses, giving up our precious time to make sure that we make a ripple, even though a wave is needed…   In the next few days we will have to make the decision to cancel the programme as it stands.  Unless you join in too, even at this 11th hour, this One Minute to Midnight, and extend a helping hand to bring these youths to celebrate with you, with London Calling …2  0   1   2 …

Gordon Sillence is the coordinator of the London 2012 Olympic Peace Campaign. He has been working with Lord Michael Bates (WalkforTruce.org), Louis Amore (International Institute for Peace through Tourism), Steve de Voss (Global Sports Partners), Michael Gleich (Peace Support Network), Darryl Macer (UNESCO) , Helena Rey (UNEP), Matheiu Hoeberigs (European Commission DG Enterprise) and Valere Tjolle (Vision on Sustainable Tourism) – as well as many other well-wishers – to develop this Olympic Youth Peace Ambassadors Training and Assistance Programme.  He has dedicated this work to his yoga teacher Mr BKS Iyengar, who has offered his blessing and support for the initiative.

Please visit http://www.london2012olympicpeacecampaign.org for further information. If you, your company or government can support this process, please do so now and contact Gordon [email protected] …                             

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