SASKATCHEWAN STUDENTS WILL CREATE A CENTENNIAL PEACE LEGACY

Close to 300 students from the Grant Road and Kitchener public schools in Regina committed to usher in Saskatchewan's next century by creating a culture of mutual respect and understanding starting in the province's centennial year.

"The Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Peace Project engages the province's young people in using thoughts, words, art and action to promote a peaceful, caring society in their own schools, communities and abroad," Premier Lorne Calvert said.

Through art projects, peace poles, celebrations and virtual diaries, the Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Peace Project will provide opportunity for young people to get involved in centennial celebrations while creating ongoing benefits for their communities.

"Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders," Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Chair and Moose Jaw North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "It is fitting during our centennial year that we will help young people build a legacy of peace that will bring long-lasting benefits to communities throughout the province."

In 1998, SaskEnergy founded the first "Hear the Children" peace day event in Saskatoon. In 2003, the Canadian Red Cross in Saskatchewan began hosting the event as part of its educational programming. Building upon the success of this initiative, two additional "Hear the Children" peace day events will be held in the province in September, 2005, in Regina and Moose Jaw.

"We are pleased that a very successful program that began in Saskatoon is being expanded to provide opportunity for all young people in Saskatchewan to share their views about peace," President and CEO of SaskEnergy Doug Kelln said. "Whether they want schoolyards free from bullying or a violence-free world, this project gives our youth a sense of responsibility about the role they play in shaping the future for themselves and for our province."

Students are also invited to participate in a "Designs on Peace" contest. From the artwork submitted, 100 pieces will be selected by a panel of independent judges to form a permanent tile display.

Students will also be encouraged to plant at least 100 peace poles, the international symbol of peace, in schools and communities throughout Saskatchewan. A peace pole can be any column with four or six sides, such as a fence post available from local lumber yards. Each side displays "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in a different language.

Photographs of the students' activities may be also submitted to an online photographic diary.

"We are honoured during our centennial year to be working with our partners on a program that provides young people with an opportunity to have their voices heard," Regional Director for the Canadian Red Cross in Southern Saskatchewan Cindy Fuchs said. "Peace begins with ourselves, but by working together, directly with our young people, we can make a difference in the quality of our lives, our institutions and our environment."

Additional information on Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 is available online at www.sask2005.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Chris Shauf Saskatchewan Centennial 2005 Regina Phone: (306) 787-1254 Cell: (306)530-5775