Nobel Peace Prize laureates visited Flanders Fields (W. Roets) - Passendale - 03/11/2013
 03/11/2013 - Passendale On Sunday, November, 3th, 2013, at invitation of Kris Peeters, Minister-President of the Government of Flanders, three Nobel Peace Prize laureates visited Flanders Fields, on the eve of their participation in the International Peace Symposium 'Science for Peace' on Monday, November 4.

Accompanied by Minister-president Peeters the Liberian Leymah Gbowee (Nobel Peace Prize 2011), the Irish Betty Williams (Nobel Peace Prize 1976) and the former South African President Frederik Willem de Klerk (Nobel Peace Prize 1993) visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Zonnebeke. Afterwards they were given an extensive tour at the 'In Flanders Fields Museum' in Ypres , and attended the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate . A visit to Flanders Fields , according to the Minister-President, is an appropriate starting point for their participation in the Peace Symposium ‘Science for Peace’ organized by Flanders on Monday, November 4.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureates are currently in the country for the International Peace Symposium 'Science for Peace' that Flanders organizes tomorrow, Monday, November 4. The central theme of the Peace Symposium is "The role of Science in Trauma Treatment and the Transformation of Societies”. Trauma in this context refers to conflict-and disaster-related psychological trauma and post-traumatic disorders.

The peace symposium forms one of the Flemish spearheads of the Commemoration of the Great War Centenary. Minister-President Kris Peeters invited several Nobel Peace Prize laureates and international experts to share their experience with Flemish and international scientists and policymakers. By organizing this international symposium Flanders aims to gather knowledge so that efforts can be combined, transcending international and professional borders.

Minister-President Kris Peeters: "In less than a year it will be exactly 100 years ago the Great War caused unseen suffering for millions of people here in our country and in many other countries and nations in Europe and the world. The Government of Flanders has therefore made a priority of the Commemoration of the Great War Centenary. In Flanders Fields the scars of the war are still present, the heritage of war remains palpable. With this visit today to Flanders Fields with Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Leymah Gbowee, Betty Williams and Frederik Willem de Klerk, we send a universal message of peace to the world. "

Nobelprijswinnaar Frederik Willem de Klerk: “When I was visiting Tyne Cot cemetery and the In Flanders Fields museum the destroying power of war left a deep impression. We can’t forget this history. It is a necessity to promote peace.”

Nobelprijswinnaar Betty Williams: “I will always remember this visit. Being a mother and a grandmother, it hurts like hell to realize that these are all sons that are buried here.”

Information on the International Peace Symposium : www.peacesymposium.be
































































































































































 






















































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