Sponsored – For the first time in the history of international relations the Second World War veterans and diplomats representing several countries will meet next Sunday 8 May in Hamburg (Germany) for the signing of the Declaration of Nations Reconciliation.
The event ‘Message to the World’, held within the framework of the international project mission4peace , will be attended by veterans from Germany, Great Britain, Russia, the USA, the Netherlands, Italy and Serbia.
The veterans and guests will be greeted by the Founder of the International Maritime History Museum Hamburg and the event’s host Professor Peter Tamm. The party will be addressed by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Germany H.E. Ghislain D’Hoop who will also read out the declaration before its signing by the participants. The event will be coordinated by the founders of mission4peace and organisers of ‘Message to the World’ event Eugene Kasevin (Russia) and Jochen Werne (Germany).
The veterans will read out their messages with an appeal to all countries and their leaders to maintain peaceful relations between Nations regardless of cultural, religious and ideological differences. Following the official part of the event veterans and guests will release white doves from the roof of the historic museum as a sign of remembrance, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence of all peoples.
Eugene Kasevin said: “mission4peace project has as one of its main aims – to bring together and unite the forward-thinking individuals who share the belief that a peaceful human coexistence can be achieved through the perseverance of intellectual and intercultural exchange, whilst accepting the differences. The ‘Message to the World’ event is set enable the veterans to deliver their messages and to demonstrate that we are capable of overcoming the most deeply rooted historic resentments. In this case, the inherited resentment between people and Nations who took part in the Second World War continues to serve as a barrier in politics and trade, social and daily routine in the lives of ordinary people.”
One of the most influential British military leaders, the former Chief of the Defence Staff and Head of the British Armed Forces, General Lord David Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO commented:
“At a time of considerable international tension, mission4peace is a timely and thought provoking initiative that deserves the attention and support of us all.”
List of attending veterans:
GERMANY: Prof. Peter Tamm and Mr. Hans-Jürgen Steffen. Both ex-Navy.
GREAT BRITAIN: Mr. Ernest Davies and Mr. Seymour Taylor. Both ex Royal Navy.
RUSSIA: Commander (retired) Yuri Alexandrov and Mr. Taras Goncharenko. Both ex-Navy.
USA: Mr. Edward Cooling and Mr. Douglas Francis Davidson. Both ex Royal Navy.
THE NETHERLANDS: Mr. Piet van der Burgh. Ex Army.
SERBIA: Colonel (retired) Zdenko Duplančić. Ex Army.
ITALY: Mr. Corrado Liberati. Ex Army.
