Very recently, Paolo Piana, first Ambassador in the Celtic Nation of Wales, visited Stebonheath Primary School in Llanelli.
What was due to be a 30 minute slot went on for an hour and half as the youngsters had such a deep understanding of the issues affecting the world today. The group spoke extensively about Mahatma Gandhi and Paolo shared the story ‘Be the change’ written by Arun Gandhi, the Mahatma’s grandson. Paolo then shared the meaning in the colours of the World Peace Tartan and images of some highlights in the story of the tartan. The children greatly appreciated knowing that there are some notable Welsh tartans.
Encouraged by the book ‘Be the change’ the children pledged to be change makers of the future! Paolo Piana and Victor Spence have never met before. Paolo visited Edinburgh a few years ago and happened to walk into the Tartan Weaving Mill that’s located just next to Edinburgh Castle. It was here Paolo saw a lengthy display on the World Peace Tartan. Paolo was moved to share the message of peace with the tartan.
From there Paolo and Victor exchanged some emails and Paolo became the first World Peace Tartan ambassador in Wales and committed himself to reach out to schools and wider community organisations to spread the word and the message of peace and to ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. We are deeply grateful to Paolo and applaud all his efforts and contributions to building a culture of peace.
Paolo, from Llanelli, told us: “I have a huge sense of pride to be the first Ambassador of Wales and hope to share the message of World Peace Tartan and be part of creating and building a society built a culture of peace”
World Peace Tartan
Tartan is one of the most recognisable cultural icons in the world. Through its design, tartan lends itself to narratives of meaning and can therefore be seen as a metaphor for interconnectedness, interdependence, equality and diversity.
With this in mind, the World Peace Tartan uniquely illustrates humanity’s desire for a harmonious and sustainable future. The World Peace Tartan carries a global message of peace. The striking light blue in the design is representative of the presence, hope and potential of the United Nations. Scotland at the heart of this enterprise is represented through the purple and green of the thistle, its national flower.
The red and black running through the pattern represent the realities of war and violence, with the white conveying peace and light as a counterbalance. This reminds us of the great need for a new living culture of nonviolence. As well as sharing the message of peace this initiative invests in building a culture of peace and nonviolence through education.
