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Vision
To engage world citizens in activities that promote global peace
Mission
To advance peace and understanding amongst all the nations, cultures
and religions of the world through the creation of rose gardens
that become centers for youth and community activities |
TJ David and Sylvia Villalobos, Co-Creators
World Peace Rose Garden, State Capitol Park, Sacramento, California
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About the Organization – A Worldwide Effort |
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International World Peace Rose Gardens (IWPRG) is a catalyst for peace in diverse communities around the world. The nonprofit organization was incorporated in
1988 for the purpose of creating beautiful rose gardens for peace on public,
accessible sites. The gardens become magnetic centers where people gather, enjoy
beauty and are inspired to be better persons and world citizens. The projects,
including IWPRG youth programs, have impacted millions around the world.
Planted on some of the most cultural, historic and sacred grounds of the world,
World Peace Rose Gardens have been created to focus on different peace themes:
- Pacific Palisades, California, USA
The Lake Shrine-Gandhi World Peace Rose Garden
Peace and Harmony between Cultures & Religions
- Mexico City, Mexico - The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Friendship between Mexico and the United States
Sister Garden: National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sacramento, California, USA
- Assisi, Italy, Europe - The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Universal Peace with All Creation
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
Peace through Nonviolence
- Sacramento, California, USA - State Capitol Park
Peace for Women, Children and Families
Sister Garden: Jinan, China
A Sister City Project of the Jinan-Sacramento Sister Cities Corporation
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International Youth Programs |
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While the World Peace Rose Gardens are silent ambassadors of peace, it is youth who give voice to
that message. Students from Italy, Mexico, Japan* and the United States, have participated in two
exciting programs that promote world peace:
- The “World Peace Begins With Me” Art Program
Students are invited to artistically express the theme of each garden. Selected artwork is
exhibited at dedications, public venues and other community events.
- More than 3500 students have participated worldwide.
- Winning artwork exhibited at public venues in Sacramento, Atlanta and Italy
- The Inspirational Messages of Peace Contest
Students express the ideals of the garden or an aspect of peace, in short poetic prose. Selected
messages are engraved on individual plaques and placed throughout the gardens to act as
points of inspiration.
- The highlight of annual celebrations at the Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream”
World Peace Rose Garden in Atlanta, Georgia, is the placement and unveiling of new
winning messages of peace. About 500 students participate yearly, including international
students.
- Forty-five winning messages of peace are in the State Capitol World Peace Rose Garden in
Sacramento, California
- Winning Messages of Peace are unveiled yearly at Southport Elementary School in West
Sacramento, California in conjunction with its annual Day of Respect.
- School World Peace Rose Garden
Southport Elementary School
West Sacramento, California, USA (2007)
Some of the benefits for students who participate in our youth programs are:
- Opportunity to be creatively pro-active about peace
- Experience meeting with elected officials, community and faith leaders
- Public recognition and increased self-esteem
- Exposure to interfaith and multi-cultural activities
*Although no formal garden was planted in Japan, youth from Hiroshima have participated in IWPRG
art programs after a visit by co-creators in 1990
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Living Reminders of Peace |
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International World Peace Rose Gardens creates gardens that are living reminders that peace begins
within the hearts of each one of us… in our thoughts, in our words and in our actions. Each one of us has an opportunity to make the world a better place, daily. Everyone can make a difference!
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About the Co-Creators |
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TJ David, “The Rose Man,” and Sylvia Villalobos began cultivating their dream for
peace by planting the first World Peace Rose Garden at the Gandhi Peace
Memorial in California in 1984. The visionary team combined Mr. David’s love
and expertise of roses and his business background with Ms. Villalobos’ passion
for learning, cultural and interfaith appreciation, love of children and her
organizational skills. Twenty-seven years later, they have raised over $1,400,000
(including in-kind donations) for their peace garden projects, donated over
$340,000 and have volunteered over 20,000 hours.
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