The 5th of May is the 60^th and last great commemoration day of the liberation from World War II in the Netherlands and Indonesia. There are still eyewitnesses, but their number is shrinking. It is our duty towards them and towards the next generations to promote enduring peace and justice for all living beings without discrimination.

URI Netherlands took the initiative for an interreligious universal Peace Celebration in The Hague, city of the Dutch Government and the UN-Peace Palace.

The theme of this 050505-Celebration was: “Healing the Past, Sharing the Future” (Het Verleden helen, de Toekomst delen). Foundation Roos took the initiative for a Peace-Walk during the 5 days preceding the 050505-Celebration. This Peace-Walk started at the International Monument for the Unknown Child in National Park ‘Hoge Veluwe’ near Arnhem. The 4^th of May Princess Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld was in charge of a Peace-Meditation. Speakers and musicians of different religious and spiritual traditions participated in the 050505-Celebration.  Speakers included Jacqueline Berg, Jedidjah Duindam, Anneloes Eterman, de Life Foundation, Mualla Kaya, Jacob Korf, Huub Kortekaas, Awraham Soetendorp, Johannes Witteveen. Musicians iincluded: Women-Choir Malle Babbe, Frank Jenniskens, Lenny Kuhr, Maria Rijnbout, Frédérik Steenbrink.  Ari van Buuren, chair of URI Netherlands was the master of ceremonies.

Healing the Past and Sharing the Future is so essential!  A lot of people hurt each other deeply; historically, culturally and religiously. Children are defenceless victims. The past needs to be healed in a more active and spiritual way! The future starts today. The children in our midst are forerunners of that future. They deserve our togetherness in sharing the future!

Submitted by Ari van Buuren, Chair, URI Netherlands