International Institute for Peace Through Tourism Inaugurates New Peace Park in Turkey

by Juergen Steinmetz, eTN: IIPT- The International Institute for Peace through Tourism and Mayor Birol Arslan of Kepez-Canakkale, Turkiye, dedicated the IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park. The event took place on April 23, which coincided with the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkiye.

IIPT- The International Institute for Peace through Tourism and Mayor Birol Arslan of Kepez-Canakkale Turkiye, dedicated the IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park on 23rd April 2025 which coincided with the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkiye.

IIPT EXECUTIVES AT THE PEACE PARK

The location of the Peace Park along the foreshore of the Dardanelles looks on to the Gallipoli Peninsula which was a major theatre of war during World War 1, especially between the English, Australia, New Zealand and Turkiye. However, after 110 years, the adversity between these countries has been replaced with respect, reconciliation, peace and friendship, which are the principles and objectives of IIPT.

The dignitaries which attended the official proceedings were Mayor Arslan and Municipal Members from Kepez Canakkale; Meridian Biziak, representing the Australian Embassy; Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the IIPT Board; Gail Parsonage, President, IIPT Australia; Jovan Popescu, President, IIPT Serbia and Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director.

As the day was also the Turkiye National Childrens Day, the event featured vocal and dance performances by the children of Canakkale, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. It was a true representation of bringing together peace and friendship through the children of the world.

That evening a dinner was hosted by Mrs Ruveyde Ergon, owner of the Iris Hotel Canakkale, for the Mayor and the Official Party and the organising committee headed by Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director and Sevil Ören Konachi IIPT Representative Turkey.

Iris Hotel was also awarded membership to IIPT Global Peace Hotels.

Timothy Marshall, IIPT Chair brought greetings on behalf of IIPT founder Mr. Lou D’Amore and Global President Mr. Ajay Prakash. Mr Marshall stated that “Our presence here today is to salute the important recognition of children in Turkiye and around the world, to formalize our partnership with Turkiye, and to lay the groundwork for great collaboration in the months and years to come.

The IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park – Canakkale, Turkiye, joins over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks with the objective to:

Nurture the growth of peace and understanding, at home and throughout the world; Enhance awareness of a community’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment; Create common ground for the community to come together in celebration of their nation’s people, land and heritage; and to reflect on the connectedness to planet earth and the key role of Tourism in contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful world.

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