His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Endorsement Quote / Letter of Support:
"I am always impressed when, in addition to words of support, people actually undergo some physical hardship to further the cause of peace. Undertaking to climb Mount Everest under any circumstances takes great courage. The Everest Peace Project’s film Everest: A Climb for Peace is a tremendous achievement from several points of view.
Not only does it document a spectacular climb of the world’s tallest mountain, but it also shows how the project brought together people from different faiths and cultures, who worked successfully as a team to accomplish their goal. It reinforces my strong belief that if we adopt the right approach and make a determined effort, cooperation, trust and understanding can always be established for a true and worthy cause."
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary - General on Sport for Development and Peace
United Nations-
Endorsement Quote / Letter of Support:
"Dear Mr Lance Trumbull,
I wish to express my full support for your initiative aiming at sending an unmistakable message of peace from the top of our planet. The Everest Peace Project's group of peace mountaineers from various origins and faiths will be a perfect example for the way common solutions must be found to achieve our common goals. This requires a prerequisite attitude of tolerance, goodwill and readiness for dialogue.
By enlisting the powerful and universal language of sport, your project has the potential to overcome artificial barriers and build a strong bridge for humanity. What better example for the deeply inter-dependent human community than a rope of mountaineers from various faiths and origins able to rely on each other and to reach the top of the world.
I am convinced that sport is a positive life changing force that can help create a better world. I hope that your endeavour will set a great example that will illuminate the International Year for Sport and Physical Education in 2005.
I wish your courageous expedition a resounding success that shall reach all countries and peoples, especially those still victims today of the brutality and violence of conflict and lawlessness."
Yours sincerely,
Adolf Ogi
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Special Adviser to the Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Sport for Development and Peace Under-Secretary-General
( Mr. Adolf Ogi, former President of Switzerland, was appointed in February 2001 to the task of assisting the Secretary-General in his efforts to reach out to the world in order to promote understanding and support for the work and ideals of the United Nations. )
The Peres Center for Peace: Promoting Peace in the Middle East.
Endorsement Quote:
"To the Everest Peace Climb delegates,
All of us at the Peres Center for Peace would like to wish the delegates traveling on the joint expedition to Mount Everest, the very best of luck on this quest to promote friendship and peace.
This project provides opportunity for real cooperation and teamwork between Palestinians and Israelis...Not only will the delegates be taking part in this important quest with the accompanying opportunity to become involved in conflict resolution and nation building, but more importantly, they will be participating in an adventure which forces them to rely completely on one another, regardless of national identity or religion.
This project provides more than symbolism - it provides a real chance to bring people from different nations together, to cooperate and survive, under intense conditions.
May the delegation meet only kind conditions, and success on their peace building adventure.
With the best of luck and kind regards. "
Alon Beer
Sports Project Manager
The Peres Center for Peace
www.peres-center.org/
Dennis J. Kucinich: Congressman
Endorsement Quote:
"The Everest Peace Project is an example of men and women from various countries and religions doing what the leaders of the world's countries should be doing, joining together and pausing to consider peacefully and without hurry what they have in common -- and assisting each other in a joint project of great challenge in which they come face-to-face with their dependence on each other. If this group of men and women from different backgrounds can join together and climb Mount Everest, it is just possible that the nations of the world can come together and address the problems of war, hunger, and environmental destruction. It is with the same sort of vision that drives this project that I have proposed the creation of a cabinet-level Department of Peace with the goal of promoting nonviolence in this country and in our international relations. If we keep in mind efforts like the Everest Peace Project, we can be inspired to do the work needed to make peace a reality. This task appears about as intimidating as climbing Mount Everest, but it is equally achievable."
www.kucinich.us
Mayor of San Francisco: Gavin Newsom
Endorsement Quote:
"Dear Friends:
On behalf of the City and County of San Francisco , I would like to express my full and complete support for the Everest Peace Project and wish it a resounding success. Such an immense undertaking such as this expedition is the perfect way to show the world that man is capable of so many great achievements and that through our triumphs we should be united and through our struggles we should be resolved. The road to peace can be as daunting as the trek to the summit, but we should never give up and continue the climb to reach our goals.
By showing the world that individuals of different nationalities and religious beliefs can come together for a common goal, our global community can be inspired to look past those differences and see humanity's true face. As mayor of such a diverse city like San Francisco , I see first hand the unique perspective different cultures bring and the great community they create when working together.
With the utmost respect, I would like to commend the courageous men and women of this expedition and wish you a most successful climb. May your message of peace resound from the top of the world and bring hope and humanity in this time of world conflict and unrest."
Sincerely,
Gavin Newsom
Huston Smith:is widely regarded as the most eloquent and accessible contemporary authority on the history of religions. A leading figure in the comparative philosophy of religion, he has taught at Washington University, MIT, Syracuse, and the University of California, Berkeley.
Endorsement Quote:
“From this elevated place - the very top of the world, these multi-faith peace climbers will be spreading an unmistakable message of peace for the world to witness. As a lifelong peace advocate, half of whose career has been devoted to interfaith understanding, I can honestly say that this is one of the best conceived and most promising projects that I have ever gotten wind of”.
Huston Smith
World Renowned Scholar and best selling Author of The World’s Religions.
Teacher and Student together!
EPP founder Lance Trumbull with his former teacher
Huston Smith at his home in Berkeley.
OneVoice: Promoting Peace in The Middle East.
Endorsement Quote:
"OneVoice is proud to endorse The Everest Peace Project in its invigorating mission. The principle of focusing on the commonalities of individuals with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, seeking to bring them together to work for a common objective is an empowering opportunity for all.
Such exemplary and innovative endeavors inspire people to look at their neighbors and try to change past perspectives of dissonance, in order to seek new ones of respect and understanding. In the end, the challenge is to learn and understand how much we do share with others and that despite appearances, we are more alike than we realize. Once we are able to accept these fundamental ideas of tolerance, we can reach that much higher to achieve greater objectives. We look forward to hearing of your success."
Carla Hammond
Program Director
PeaceWorks Foundation
www.onevoicemovement.org
URI:
URI actively promotes interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings.
Endorsement Quote:
"I heartily endorse The Everest Peace Project as a magnificent effort to help us rise above the walls that divide us and, from an elevated place, recognize our common humanity. The urgency of the moment is matched only by the untapped creative potential to shape a new world. This project will be both a symbolic and practical expression of that new world. Blessings on your effort."
The Reverend Canon Charles P. Gibbs
Executive Director
United Religions Initiative
www.uri.org
Jamling Tenzing Norgay:
Everest Summiteer, Author of best selling book “Touching My Father’s Soul”, and son of Everest Pioneer Tenzing Norgay.
Endorsement Quote:
"I would like to wish Lance the very best in his endeavor to put the Everest Peace climb together. It is a great way to celebrate my father's and Hillary’s climb. I do wish him and his team all the best and attaining their goals of peace and religious tolerance...I think what you are doing is great - to promote peace in the world - and that is exactly what we need; and there is no better way to do it then to do it on The mountain - Chomolungma, the Mother Goddess of the world."
Jamling Tenzing Norgay
Tashi Tenzing:
Everest Summiteer, Author, and grandson of Everest Pioneer Tenzing Norgay.
Endorsement Quote: "I think (The Everest Peace Project) is a great idea, because Everest we call Chomolungma-the Mother Goddess of long life. In our Buddhist philosophy, in our life style, we believe in compassion and tolerance. It will be a good message to the world."
Tashi Tenzing
David Breashears :
Everest Summiteer, Film Maker, and Author
Endorsement Quote:
"...if you can bring people together and to work cooperatively and learn how to co-exist in a non-violent manner - then that's wonderful...and I think mountains can bring out that need to work cooperatively. Your effort is notable and laudable, and I really hope you are successful. Good luck Lance and have a safe and successful climb."
David Breashears
Erik Weihenmayer:The first blind person to summit Mt. Everest and complete the Seven Summits.
Endorsement Quote:
"When I stood on top of Mt. Everest on May 25, 2001, I felt like I do on the tops of all mountains. I felt proud, excited and in awe of my surroundings. It felt good to achieve something that everyone thought was out of my reach. It was almost spiritual! I never lost faith in the team I was a part of. Our commitment to stick together and to take care of each other was not just empty words; individually, we all exhibited weaknesses, but when we came together and contributed our skills, talents, and insights, we became an entity strong enough to rival the mountain itself. I support the efforts of the Everest Peace Project which will help bring peace to the world and unite mankind. Together, all the skills, talents and insights of this diverse team will create a force strong enough to accomplish your vision. Climb high!"
Erik Weihenmayer
Apa Sherpa:
World record holder for most successful ascents of Mt. Everest at 19
Endorsement Quote:
“I believe in The Everest Peace Project. I feel very proud and quite happy that I can be a part of this wonderful expedition (Shasta Climb for Peace)...I am sure it will be a great success...climbing Everest is not so difficult (at least not for me!) -but peace, this is very hard to find. I believe that Everest Climb for Peace will make a positive difference in the world. ”
Philip Novak:
is an award-winning professor and chair of the department of philosophy and religious studies at Dominican College.
Endorsement Quote:
"Lance Trumbull's quest to raise the world's attention to its tallest peak so that together we may envision a new era of religious unity and peace is not only inspiring; it may turn out to be a defining moment of the 21st century."
Philip Novak:
Professor, Scholar, and Author of The World's Wisdom
Religious Tolerance.org (run by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance):
is an agency that promotes the freedom of individuals to follow the religious path of their choosing, without discrimination or oppression.
Endorsement Quote:
"We regard the lack of religious tolerance in the world as the greatest threat to global peace and security. We applaud your endeavor to have climbers from a variety of religious traditions work together towards common goals."
Bruce Robinson
ReligiousTolerance.org
www.religioustolerance.org
International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT)
Working towards the vision of travel and tourism, the world's largest industry, becoming the world's first global peace industry, and the belief that every traveler is potentially an "Ambassador for Peace".
Endorsement Quote
IIPT is pleased to fully endorse the Everest Peace Project and its aim of demonstrating that people of different faiths, cultures and nations can come together to achieve extraordinary goals for the benefit of all mankind. It is significant that the Project comes as we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the U.N. International Year of the Family, as the Everest Peace Project is a clear statement that we are all members of the same global family, sharing one common home - planet earth, and that our most important challenge is to work together in bringing about a just, sustainable and peaceful world as a legacy for future generations.
Louis D'Amore
Founder and President
www.iipt.org
