Walk for Values
Encyclopedia
The Walk for Values is a non-monetary annual walkathon
to raise awareness for human values.
Walk for Values began at the Sathya Sai School in Markham, Ontario
in 2003. It has since grown into an international event.
in which no money is solicited, "instead, people are asked to pledge to try to live up to one or more of the human values in their lives" in the hope one "will make the world richer by giving (one's) commitment to practice values, and character-building."
"By walking together as kindred spirits, we can achieve two things: we can raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence and peace; and more importantly, we can bring attention to the urgent need to practice them in our community and halt the social and environmental ills that impoverish our lives and our spirit."
Values advocated by Walk for Values
, a community in the north-east end of Toronto
. "2003 was a year filled with violence and sadness for Malvern
. It was an area synonymous with gun violence and gangs, and these unsettling trends showed little sign of abatement. It was in that spirit, as well as in the broader spirit of community that the seed of the idea for Walk for Values began at the Sathya Sai School in Markham, Ontario
." The walk "had nothing whatsoever to do with money, and simply existed to foster a sense of community and bring about an overall change in the world."
In 2004, "the participants made personal promises to change the world around them by changing themselves first. Everyone had to select a human value of their choice which they would make a part of their personal crusade to self-improve. The organizers presented a plaque to the City of Toronto on behalf of the participants giving their pledge." "Corporal Wakisan, who led a team from Canadian Forces in uniform, was so impressed by the function that he promised to bring over 100 officers for next year's walk." The walk was also held in 8 other Canadian cities, including Calgary
, Ottawa
and Vancouver
.
"At the third annual Walk for Values, in 2005, of the Sathya Sai School, friends of the school turned up in unprecedented numbers to walk." The walk was "led by Superintendent of the 42 Division of the Toronto Police Force, Superintendent Tony Warr and City Councillor Raymond Cho." Increased particicpation by community groups, politicians as well as the recognition by local police, added to the local success of the walk. "Supt Warr, on behalf of the Toronto Chief of Police, congratulated the participants on joining a very symbolic event which aims to restore peace and order in the neighborhood that has witnessed violence, gangs and drugs."
"Edmonton hosted their very first Walk for Values on June 25, 2005."
In 2006, "apart from the grand event held in Toronto, 13 other Canadian cities 'walked the values talk,' to express their support for the universal human values." In Toronto, "participants included Honorable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, MPP Bas Balkissoon, City Councilor Raymond Cho and many community leaders who believed in raising the Character of the City."
MPP Bas Balkissoon, in a message to the Ontario Provincial Legislature stated, "this walk has become a trailblazer for cities across Canada, 12 of which held their own Walk for Values on the same date." The city of Edmonton and the cities of Regina
and Saskatoon
declared May 28, 2006 as Human Values Day.
In Toronto as of 2007, the Walk for Values shifted location, moving from Malvern
to downtown Toronto
. The fifth annual walk began at Yonge-Dundas Square and went through over 2 km of downtown city streets. A new multi-cultural festival began after the completion of the walk, with dance performances by groups representing China, Ireland, Russia, Spain, Egypt and India. In Yonge-Dundas Square, "a variety of food stalls, a Food Bank collection booth, exhibits on Value Parenting, henna tattoos, handicrafts, face painting and games for children" were organized. "Over 18 community groups as well as students from several public schools in the York Region took part." This was also the first walk that drew media attention, hosting such stations as CFRB, ATN
and Rogers
.
It was also in 2007 that the walk started on an international scale. In Australia, "the Walk was held nationally in cities such as Brisbane
, Adelaide
, Melbourne
, Perth
and Sydney
." While in the United States, Boston
and Albany, New York
held walks.
The 2008 Walk for Values in Toronto
continued to grow with the participation of additional community groups, media outlets and representatives from all levels of government. Messages and praise came from the Mayor of Toronto; David Miller
, Provincial Minister (MPP); Bas Balkissoon and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper
. Over 6000 people joined the walk in Toronto.
Australia held Walk for Values in 6 cities (including Canberra and Perth), while three US cities also participated. In St. Louis,MO the walk was sponsored by the St. Louis City Health Department, PBS
, and the Salvation Army
.
In 2009, Walk for Values took place in 9 Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton), New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia (6 cities including Sydney, Adelaide, Perth) and 5 cities in the United States (New York City, Seattle, Dallas). Malaysia was the first country in Asia to successfully organise the internationally-recognised Walk for Values. "The Walk for Values has spread around the world after starting in Toronto" in 2003. Canadian Prime Minister
Stephen Harper
commended all those who walked "for their commitment to making a difference in the world."
In 2009, the international walk also adopted a "Go Green" message. In Malaysia, "the aim is to promote love, peace, the right conduct and non-violent behaviour towards the environment, among children and the youth... honouring Mother Earth on Mother's Day (the walk was held on Mother's Day)"
The 2009 Walk for Values stated two goals, "raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence and peace;
and bring attention to the urgent need to practice them in our community and halt the social and environmental ills that plague our lives." "A number of businesses (also) joined as community partners and pledged to practice values and bring ethics in business." Many other organizations have begun to participate in the event
(St. Vincent de Paul, Sant Nirankari Mission, local foodbanks etc...) In Canada approximately 60 additional groups sponsored and supported the walk.
In New York City, the 2009 Walk for Values was called "a human movement forward, a call to attention, a walk to adopt a value for life." "More than 500 individuals participated in the 2nd Annual Walk for Values USA in Battery Park." The walk "proceeded for two miles around the park and through the streets of downtown Manhattan, pausing for two minutes of silence at Ground Zero in memory of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001." New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said "this walk urges us all to live in line with our basic humanity," and commended the efforts of the Sathya Sai Organization
for "their dedication to building a better world."
On May 2, 2009, the Mayor of Houston declared May 2, 2009 as Walk for Values Day.
While in Dallas, the Mayor of Plano
, Pat Evans
"read aloud the proclamation declaring May 9, 2009 as the Walk for Values Day."
In Auckland
, children "lead New Zealand's first "walk for values" up Queen St.," as over 700 people participated in the 50 minute walk. The day ended with 100 walkers donating blood to the local New Zealand Blood Bank
. Planning for the 2009 event had begun 18 monthes earlier in August 2007.
Yonge-Dundas Square advocates the walk with the statement, "Your pledge and practice of a simple human value could just be the butterfly whose fluttering of the wings caused the love avalanche."
Walkathon
A walkathon , walking marathon or sponsored walk is a type of community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course...
to raise awareness for human values.
Walk for Values began at the Sathya Sai School in Markham, Ontario
Markham, Ontario
Markham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census...
in 2003. It has since grown into an international event.
Objectives
Walk for Values is a walkathonWalkathon
A walkathon , walking marathon or sponsored walk is a type of community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course...
in which no money is solicited, "instead, people are asked to pledge to try to live up to one or more of the human values in their lives" in the hope one "will make the world richer by giving (one's) commitment to practice values, and character-building."
"By walking together as kindred spirits, we can achieve two things: we can raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence and peace; and more importantly, we can bring attention to the urgent need to practice them in our community and halt the social and environmental ills that impoverish our lives and our spirit."
Values advocated by Walk for Values
- LoveLoveLove is an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment. In philosophical context, love is a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection. Love is central to many religions, as in the Christian phrase, "God is love" or Agape in the Canonical gospels...
: caring, compassion, forgiveness, enthusiasm, devotion. - PeacePeacePeace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
: contentment, humility, patience, self-confidence, self-respect. - TruthTruthTruth has a variety of meanings, such as the state of being in accord with fact or reality. It can also mean having fidelity to an original or to a standard or ideal. In a common usage, it also means constancy or sincerity in action or character...
: honesty, integrity, optimism. - Non-Violence: gentleness, consideration, co-operation, equality, cultural respect.
- Right-Conduct: gratitude, perseverance, determination, responsibility, sacrifice, courage, duty and ethics.
Mission statement
"The Walk for Values is a non-monetary walk designed to promote individual responsibility towards the collective future of humanity, one step at a time. This unique initiative is part of a global drive to seed the consciousness with global affirmations such as love, hope, optimism, consideration, kindness, patience, honesty, integrity, forgiveness, acceptance, charity, volunteerism.... It calls for an honest self-appraisal from its participants who then identify one area of personal growth that needs to be strengthened and then pledge the needed self-improvement."History
The Walk for Values "began in 2003 as a little walk with barely 300 participants" in MalvernMalvern, Toronto
Malvern is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a population of 44,315. It is located in the northeast corner of the city, in the district of Scarborough. Scarborough was merged with five other municipalities and a regional government to form the new City of Toronto in 1998...
, a community in the north-east end of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. "2003 was a year filled with violence and sadness for Malvern
Malvern, Toronto
Malvern is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a population of 44,315. It is located in the northeast corner of the city, in the district of Scarborough. Scarborough was merged with five other municipalities and a regional government to form the new City of Toronto in 1998...
. It was an area synonymous with gun violence and gangs, and these unsettling trends showed little sign of abatement. It was in that spirit, as well as in the broader spirit of community that the seed of the idea for Walk for Values began at the Sathya Sai School in Markham, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
." The walk "had nothing whatsoever to do with money, and simply existed to foster a sense of community and bring about an overall change in the world."
In 2004, "the participants made personal promises to change the world around them by changing themselves first. Everyone had to select a human value of their choice which they would make a part of their personal crusade to self-improve. The organizers presented a plaque to the City of Toronto on behalf of the participants giving their pledge." "Corporal Wakisan, who led a team from Canadian Forces in uniform, was so impressed by the function that he promised to bring over 100 officers for next year's walk." The walk was also held in 8 other Canadian cities, including Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
.
"At the third annual Walk for Values, in 2005, of the Sathya Sai School, friends of the school turned up in unprecedented numbers to walk." The walk was "led by Superintendent of the 42 Division of the Toronto Police Force, Superintendent Tony Warr and City Councillor Raymond Cho." Increased particicpation by community groups, politicians as well as the recognition by local police, added to the local success of the walk. "Supt Warr, on behalf of the Toronto Chief of Police, congratulated the participants on joining a very symbolic event which aims to restore peace and order in the neighborhood that has witnessed violence, gangs and drugs."
"Edmonton hosted their very first Walk for Values on June 25, 2005."
In 2006, "apart from the grand event held in Toronto, 13 other Canadian cities 'walked the values talk,' to express their support for the universal human values." In Toronto, "participants included Honorable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, MPP Bas Balkissoon, City Councilor Raymond Cho and many community leaders who believed in raising the Character of the City."
MPP Bas Balkissoon, in a message to the Ontario Provincial Legislature stated, "this walk has become a trailblazer for cities across Canada, 12 of which held their own Walk for Values on the same date." The city of Edmonton and the cities of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
and Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
declared May 28, 2006 as Human Values Day.
In Toronto as of 2007, the Walk for Values shifted location, moving from Malvern
Malvern, Toronto
Malvern is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a population of 44,315. It is located in the northeast corner of the city, in the district of Scarborough. Scarborough was merged with five other municipalities and a regional government to form the new City of Toronto in 1998...
to downtown Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. The fifth annual walk began at Yonge-Dundas Square and went through over 2 km of downtown city streets. A new multi-cultural festival began after the completion of the walk, with dance performances by groups representing China, Ireland, Russia, Spain, Egypt and India. In Yonge-Dundas Square, "a variety of food stalls, a Food Bank collection booth, exhibits on Value Parenting, henna tattoos, handicrafts, face painting and games for children" were organized. "Over 18 community groups as well as students from several public schools in the York Region took part." This was also the first walk that drew media attention, hosting such stations as CFRB, ATN
ATN
-Medicine:*Acute tubular necrosis, a medical condition involving the death of tubular cells that form the tubule that transports urine to the ureters*Asymmetric tonic neck reflex*Atypical trigeminal neuralgia-Television:...
and Rogers
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
.
It was also in 2007 that the walk started on an international scale. In Australia, "the Walk was held nationally in cities such as Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
." While in the United States, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
held walks.
The 2008 Walk for Values in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
continued to grow with the participation of additional community groups, media outlets and representatives from all levels of government. Messages and praise came from the Mayor of Toronto; David Miller
David Miller (Canadian politician)
David Raymond Miller is a Canadian politician. He was the 63rd Mayor of Toronto and the second since the 1998 amalgamation. He was elected to the position in 2003 for a three-year term and re-elected in 2006 for a four-year term...
, Provincial Minister (MPP); Bas Balkissoon and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
. Over 6000 people joined the walk in Toronto.
Australia held Walk for Values in 6 cities (including Canberra and Perth), while three US cities also participated. In St. Louis,MO the walk was sponsored by the St. Louis City Health Department, PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
, and the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
.
In 2009, Walk for Values took place in 9 Canadian cities (Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton), New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia (6 cities including Sydney, Adelaide, Perth) and 5 cities in the United States (New York City, Seattle, Dallas). Malaysia was the first country in Asia to successfully organise the internationally-recognised Walk for Values. "The Walk for Values has spread around the world after starting in Toronto" in 2003. Canadian Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
commended all those who walked "for their commitment to making a difference in the world."
In 2009, the international walk also adopted a "Go Green" message. In Malaysia, "the aim is to promote love, peace, the right conduct and non-violent behaviour towards the environment, among children and the youth... honouring Mother Earth on Mother's Day (the walk was held on Mother's Day)"
The 2009 Walk for Values stated two goals, "raise awareness of positive human values such as love, truth, non-violence and peace;
and bring attention to the urgent need to practice them in our community and halt the social and environmental ills that plague our lives." "A number of businesses (also) joined as community partners and pledged to practice values and bring ethics in business." Many other organizations have begun to participate in the event
(St. Vincent de Paul, Sant Nirankari Mission, local foodbanks etc...) In Canada approximately 60 additional groups sponsored and supported the walk.
In New York City, the 2009 Walk for Values was called "a human movement forward, a call to attention, a walk to adopt a value for life." "More than 500 individuals participated in the 2nd Annual Walk for Values USA in Battery Park." The walk "proceeded for two miles around the park and through the streets of downtown Manhattan, pausing for two minutes of silence at Ground Zero in memory of all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001." New York City mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said "this walk urges us all to live in line with our basic humanity," and commended the efforts of the Sathya Sai Organization
Sathya Sai Organization
The Sathya Sai Organization was founded in the 1960s by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. The first Sai Centers were started in India under the name Sri Sathya Sai Seva Samithi...
for "their dedication to building a better world."
On May 2, 2009, the Mayor of Houston declared May 2, 2009 as Walk for Values Day.
While in Dallas, the Mayor of Plano
Plano, Texas
Plano is a city in the state of Texas, located mostly within Collin County. The city's population was 259,841 at the 2010 census, making it the ninth-largest city in Texas and the 71st most populous city in the United States. Plano is located within the metropolitan area commonly referred to as...
, Pat Evans
Pat Evans (mayor)
Patricia A. Evans was the mayor of Plano, Texas from 2002-2009. She was first elected in May 2002 and was reelected to another two-year term in May 2004. On May 13, 2006, Evans clinched a third term with 57.4 percent of the vote. Her final term lasted three years. This makes her the...
"read aloud the proclamation declaring May 9, 2009 as the Walk for Values Day."
In Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, children "lead New Zealand's first "walk for values" up Queen St.," as over 700 people participated in the 50 minute walk. The day ended with 100 walkers donating blood to the local New Zealand Blood Bank
Blood bank
A blood bank is a cache or bank of blood or blood components, gathered as a result of blood donation, stored and preserved for later use in blood transfusion. The term "blood bank" typically refers to a division of a hospital laboratory where the storage of blood product occurs and where proper...
. Planning for the 2009 event had begun 18 monthes earlier in August 2007.
Yonge-Dundas Square advocates the walk with the statement, "Your pledge and practice of a simple human value could just be the butterfly whose fluttering of the wings caused the love avalanche."