Peace Mala International Youth Awards

Positive News – October 17, 2007

The 2007 Peace Mala International Youth Awards have been won by Trallwn Primary School in Swansea and St Michaels in Llanelli, Wales. The Awards acknowledge any centre of learning which produces a project that encourages youngsters to become involved with issues of peace, justice, tolerance and friendship.

Winning class at Trallwn School with their teacher, Sian Hopkins (front), judges Ros Moule (to the right) and Pam El Hosaini (on left), and Pam Evans (at back)
Winning class at Trallwn School with their teacher, Sian Hopkins (front), judges Ros Moule (to the right) and Pam El Hosaini (on left), and Pam Evans (at back)

At the Ceremony in Cardiff, certificates were also given to Salem Youth Group from Pennsylvania, USA and Teesdale School from County Durham, UK.

The Peace Mala Youth Project began in a classroom in Wales in the aftermath of 9/11. Founder and teacher Pam Evans explains: “I wanted something simple but effective to engage the minds of young people: a symbolic bracelet that would be fun to make and wear.” In 2002, they were granted a Prince’s Trust Millennium award and the bracelet was launched in November the same year.

Mala, a Sanskrit word, means garland of flowers. It is also the term for strings of meditation or prayer beads. The beads of the Peace Mala represent the peaceful co-existence of the world’s religions. “It’s important for youngsters to learn that the diversity of the human race is to be celebrated and not feared,” says Pam.

The competition for 2008 is now open.

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