IIPT News: International Institute for Peace through Tourism, Travel Promotes Peace
Opening

Dear Friends of IIPT

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Bea Broda Editor, IIPT Newsletter

As spring arrives, bringing with it the enduring promise of renewal and rebirth, we’re reminded that our world is also facing unprecedented challenges. Amidst global turmoil, it’s more crucial than ever that we, as peace seekers, share our vision for a more harmonious world. This is your invitation to join the conversation and share in this newsletter the inspiring work your chapter or community is doing to promote peace through tourism.

We’re excited to announce a special event in Turkey this April, inaugurating a new peace park, a celebration that’s always a highlight for our IIPT community. Below, Gail Parsonage, President of our Australian Chapter, shares her report on the plans.

Your Editor, Bea Broda

Peace Parks

A New Peace Park in Türkiye

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Gail Parsonage President, IIPT Australia Chapter

IIPT, in collaboration with Birol Arslan, Mayor of Kepez, Çanakkale, Türkiye, will be establishing an IIPT Olive Peace Park at the memorial site of the Mesudiye Battleship Monument, Çanakkale, as part of our Global IIPT Peace Park Initiative. The event will take place on 23 April 2025, which is National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Türkiye and is dedicated to all the world’s children, keepers and creators of the future.

The origin of the National Day goes back to 23 April 1920, during the War of Independence in Turkey. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the Grand National Assembly met in Ankara to chart the future of a new Turkish Republic. The day was proclaimed a national holiday in 1921, marking the first national holiday of the new Turkey.

So how did a public holiday become associated with Children’s Day? The world owes it to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He was an immortal war hero of World War I, an extraordinary leader and peacemaker, and the founder and first President of the Turkish Republic. In 1927, he dedicated 23 April to Turkey’s children to recognize that they are the future.

Most people wishing to attend the Peace Park ceremony have already made their plans and bookings, but here is the planned schedule of events:

  • 20 April: make your own way to the hotel in Istanbul
  • 20–22 April: Istanbul accommodation, 10 Karakoy Hotel or similar
  • 21 April: IIPT Istanbul Conference and 2025 Goals and Objectives; sunset Bosphorus cruise
  • 22 April: transfer from Istanbul to Çanakkale (approximately 4 hours)
  • 22–25 April: DoubleTree by Hilton Çanakkale or Kolin Hotel Çanakkale
  • 23 April: full-day IIPT Olive Peace Park dedication, followed by an informal meeting with the locals over tea, coffee and soft drinks; dinner at the Iris Hotel Çanakkale
  • 24 April: visit of the local region
  • 25 April: participation in the annual Gallipoli Anzac Commemorations (5.00 am)
  • 25–26 April: Hampton Inn Arnavutköy (near Istanbul International Airport)

The next newsletter will feature stories and pictures of this historic event.

Update: the IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park was dedicated on 23 April 2025. Read the May 2025 issue for the stories and pictures.