PRESS RELEASE
The Visions of Peace Initiative and HQ
Creative LLC partner in “Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’” A Joint
Effort Against Sexual Trafficking.
The Visions of Peace Initiative and HQ Creative LLC are proud to
have worked together and co-produced “Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’”.
“Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’” is an important documentary
that presents the experiences of a young, Indonesian female minor
who was placed into a Mut’ah marriage, otherwise known as a
contractual marriage, by her parents. The practice of Mut’ah
marriage is regarded by many as an exploitative form of prostitution
and is widely banned by both religious and legal authorities. Kyai
Kakan Sukandi, a representative of the Ulama Council, explained,
”The public needs to be educated that Mut’ah marriage is a
phenomenon that cannot be condoned. It is a phenomenon that must not
be allowed to continue, both according to Islamic and Indonesian
law.”
“Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’” portrays a teenage victim’s
anguished ordeal, through her own testimony and with accompanying
re-enactments. Princess Natasha Dematra and Princess Cheryl Halpern,
the co-directors of the documentary, inspired by the courage of this
young woman to share her story, are committed to educating
audiences, through the screenings, to put a stop to the practice of
Mut’ah marriages.
In Indonesia, the documentary has been screened in a number of
schools and venues, primarily in West Java, where the Mut’ah
marriages most frequently occur. To date, more than 10,000
Indonesian youth, both females and males, have seen the film. As
Princess Natasha Dematra has explained, “This Mut’ah marriage
phenomenon has damaged our youth both physically and emotionally. I
hope that by screening, through what I call our ‘educational road
show,’ that we can help stop the Mut’ah marriage phenomenon.”
The most recent screening took place in Bogor at SMK Pesat, a school
acknowledged for providing both vocational and academic training to
students recognized as emerging talent. After viewing the
documentary, Madame Lida Hasanah, Chairwoman of the Pesat
Foundation, noted, “We have to applaud this film. We have to be a
generation of women that are strong enough to fight this abusive
practice.” Teachers who were in the audience echoed Madame Hasanah’s
comments and collectively added, “We wish that everyone can watch
this film, especially young girls, so that they do not get trapped
in a Mut’ah marriage.”
The question and answer sessions that have taken place after each
screening are indicative of how impactful the film has been with the
student audiences. There have been those who acknowledge awareness
of similar Mut’ah stories and have asked what options do they have
in order to protect themselves? Others have asked what can be done
to make the local government and police more responsive? Many have
expressed their dismay that in 2023 teenagers are victimized by the
collusion of family with consenting religious leaders.
Earlier this year, the documentary was screened by the New
Generation in Action as part of the United Nations Committee on the
Status of Women meeting. Princess Cheryl Halpern explained to the
international gathering, “This documentary allows us to hear the
testimony of one minor victim of a Mut’ah marriage. There are still
many from whom we have not as yet heard. We hope that others will
learn from this young woman and will not be afraid to speak out.
Your voices matter and must not be ignored.”
In addition to the screenings within Indonesia, and at the UN, this
documentary has been screened in cities around the world including
Mumbai, Paris, Moscow, Stockholm, Milan, Cannes, and New York City,
to name but a few. It has consistently received awards as a best
educational documentary and as a best women’s documentary.
The Visions of Peace Initiative is excited to expand its endeavors
to promote peace and civility through its partnership with Emmy
Award-winning HQ Creative LLC. As Princess Cheryl Halpern has noted,
“Working together we are committed to encouraging peaceful
coexistence and countering abusive behavior. We are proud that we
are currently collaborating in an effort to halt sexual trafficking.
This is a global abuse that must be stopped.”
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PRESS RELEASE
VISIONS OF PEACE INITIATIVE GELAR INDEPENDENCE
DAY PEACE TOUR BERSAMA 5000 ANAK INDONESIA
Visions of Peace Initiative mengadakan acara
tur perdamaian Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia ke-78 bersama 5000 Anak di
Surakarta, Cirebon, Bogor dan Jakarta. Acara ini merupakan selebrasi
Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia dengan harapan dapat membawa pesan-pesan
perdamaian lewat seni dimana anak-anak melakukan berbagai macam
kesenian, tarian dan aktivitas budaya untuk perdamaian.
“Suatu kehormatan bisa merayakan kemerdekaan Indonesia bersama warga
Indonesia. Semboyan nasional Indonesia, “Bhinekka Tunggal Ika,
berbeda-beda tapi satu,” merupakan kekayaan warisan kemerdekaan dan
rasa hormat yang telah diwariskan dari generasi ke generasi sejak
abad ke-14. Peringatan tahunan kemerdekaan Indonesia ini menegaskan
kembali prinsip toleransi yang terkandung dalam moto tersebut,
terlepas dari tantangan masyarakat yang ditimbulkan oleh penilaian
dan kepentingan yang saling bertentangan. Setiap orang Indonesia
dapat berbangga dengan semboyan persatuan dan kebebasan yang tak
tergoyahkan selama bertahun-tahun ini.” Ucap International Founder
VOPI Princess Cheryl Halpern.
Prince Damien Dematra selaku founder Visions of Peace Initiative
mengatakan, “Alasan Independence Tour Perdamaian ini diadakan untuk
semakin mengobarkan semangat perdamaian dan kemerdekaan. Kami harap
tour ini dapat menginspirasi generasi muda Indonesia.”
Bekerja sama dengan para pemuda usia 5 hingga 18 tahun, Visions of
Peace Initiative telah mempromosikan kesopanan dan penghormatan
terhadap orang lain dengan menganut etika timbal balik, juga dikenal
sebagai aturan emas, sebuah nilai universal yang sangat penting
untuk perilaku sosial sipil. Etika timbal balik mengajarkan kita
untuk “lakukan kepada orang lain sebagaimana anda ingin dilakukan
untuk diri anda sendiri dan sebaliknya, jangan lakukan kepada orang
lain apa yang tidak ingin anda lakukan kepada diri anda.” Itu adalah
sebuah pesan yang menemukan ekspresi selama ribuan tahun dalam
ajaran semua keyakinan. Itu juga sebuah konsep yang menjadi inti
motto indonesia, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” karena tanpa menghormati
keragaman baik dalam keluarga atau komunitas, tidak akan ada
persatuan.
Khususnya di Surakarta rangkain acara ini diadakan di Keraton
Surakarta Hadiningrat, Pura Mangkunegaran, dan lomba perdamaian
diberbagai sekolah di Solo. Dalam acara puncak yang digelar di
Sasono Mulyo Keraton Surakarta ditampilkan berbagai macam kesenian
kolosal dengan tema kemerdekaan dan perdamaian dan gelar budaya
Nusantara diantaranya tari Golek Puspadayu, tari Bambangan Cakil,
dan Tari Dolanan. Berbagai kesenian daerah dan Drumband juga
ditampilkan oleh SD Kasatriyan Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat.
Dalam acara ini juga diluncurkan untuk ketiga kalinya buku tema
perdamaian berjudul “The Art of Peace” Volume 1 sebagai bagian dari
Tour Perdamaian ini. Buku ini merupakan tribut bagi ratusan ribu
karya peserta yang ikut dalam program Visions of Peace Initiative
dari tahun 2017 dan merupakan aklamasi bagi para peraih penghargaan
yang karyanya diwakili. Buku ini merupakan presentasi sepenuh hati
dari visi dan harapan seorang anak untuk masa depan yang lebih baik
dengan kesopanan, martabat dan hidup berdampingan secara damai.
Menurut Direktur Eksekutif Princess Natasha Dematra dengan ukuran
59,4 x 84,1 cm, buku ini secara resmi telah masuk dalam rekor Buku
Terbesar Dengan Tema Perdamaian di Dunia yg diberikan oleh Royal
World Records. Buku ini sendiri telah diperkenalkan di Perserikatan
Bangsa-Bangsa di New York, Amerika Serikat. Peluncuran buku ini
meliputi 3 kota: New York, Jakarta dan Surakarta.
“Saat kita berkumpul di sini hari ini untuk peluncuran tur
perdamaian kemerdekaan, mari kita rayakan kemerdekaan Indonesia dan
berikrar untuk mempromosikan “aturan emas” dan tujuan perdamaian di
mana pun kita berada dan dengan siapa pun kita terlibat,” tutup
Princess Cheryl Halpern yang datang khusus dari Amerika Serikat.
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PRESS RELEASE
Visions of Peace Initiative
Launches The Art of Peace: The Largest Peace Themed Book Ever
Published
The Visions of Peace Initiative launched a peace-themed book
entitled "The Art of Peace." This book is a tribute to the thousands
of participants in the Visions of Peace Initiative programs and is
an acclamation for the young award recipients whose work is
represented. Every drawing included is a heartfelt presentation of a
child’s vision of hope for a better future with civility, dignity
and peaceful coexistence. This book was introduced at the United
Nations in New York City and was very well received.
Two Indonesian Senators, Senator Dra. Ir. Hj. Eni Sumarni, M.Kes dan
Senator H. Fachrul Razi, S.I.P., M.I.P. launched the phenomenal book
together with Princess Cheryl Halpern, Prince Dr. Damien Dematra and
Princess Natasha Dematra in Jakarta. With a size of 59.4 x 84.1 cm,
this book has been recognized as the largest peace themed book and
is included in the Royal World Records.
Since its founding in 2017, the Visions of Peace Initiative has been
committed to motivating young Indonesians to use their artistic
talents to channel their ideas and share their perspectives on
tolerance, peace and respect for humanity. Schools, orphanages and
religious organizations, of all denominations, have supported
Visions of Peace Initiative events throughout the republic of
Indonesia including those held in areas recovering from natural
disasters as well as in areas of violent conflict. This book is also
an acknowledgement of this important cooperative effort.
“It is important to encourage the Indonesian youth, the vanguard of
the future, to embrace the Indonesian national motto, “Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika” and express themselves so that others will learn.
Through their artistic presentations of a vision for a peaceful
tomorrow they help themselves and their peers to develop a more
tolerant state of mind and respect for each other. Every participant
in the Visions of Peace Initiative becomes an ambassador for peace
as they bring their vision for a peaceful and tolerant future into
their homes, schools, and community,” said Princess Cheryl Halpern,
the international founder of Visions of Peace Initiative.
Working together with the youth ages 5 to 18, the Visions of Peace
Initiative has promoted civility and respect for others by embracing
the ethic of reciprocity, also known as the golden rule, a universal
value that is essential for civil social behaviour. The ethic of
reciprocity teaches us to “do unto others as you would want done for
yourself and conversely, don’t do to another what you would not want
done to you.” It is a message that finds expression through the
millennia in the teachings of all faiths. It is also a concept that
is central to Indonesia's motto, "Unity in Diversity" since without
respect for diversity whether within a family or a community, there
can be no unity.
“I hope that as you peruse this book that you, too, will be inspired
by the artwork of these young individuals and will commit yourself
to embracing the golden rule and joining the visions of peace
initiative in the continuing effort to promote a more peaceful
tomorrow," concluded Princess Cheryl Halpern.
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PRESS RELEASE
The International Peace20 Summit Peace Pledge
Challenge to the G20
On November 1st and 2nd the International Peace20 Summit was
convened in Ubud, Bali.
According to Peace20 chairman
KPAA Prince Dr. Damien Dematra, the Summit was created to give
direct support to Indonesia’s President who is presiding over this
year’s G20. The co-chairing of the Summit by the Visions of Peace
Initiative, which received 5 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize
in 2022 has provided an important acknowledgment of peace efforts
within Indonesia.
Princess Cheryl Halpern, who co-chaired the Peace20 Summit explained
the relationship between the mission of the VOPI and the goals of
the Summit. She said, “the VOPI’s mission is to promote civility,
tolerance and respect for youth ages 5 to 18 by embracing and
teaching the Golden Rule, The Ethic of Reciprocity. This universal
value to ‘Do unto others as you would want done to yourself’
is echoed in the Indonesian National Motto,
‘Bhineka Tunggal Ika’ which has promoted unity with respect for
diversity through millennia. The Golden Rule together with
Indonesia’s National Motto are core pillars for the Peace20’s
mission to promote
Peace, Tolerance and Respect for Diversity.”
The convergence of the VOPI and an International Peace Summit began
on World Peace Day, September 21, 2022. Since then more than 25,500
people representing 53 countries have participated in face to face
as well as online forums and art exhibitions promoting peace. Prince
Dr. Damien Dematra proudly noted that as of the end of the Summit
that the Peace20 holds the collective signature record for the
“World’s Thickest Book with a Message of Peace.”
Indonesia is proud to have had so many of its ministers and cultural
leaders support and participate in the Peace20 Summit, including:
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs
Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Minister of Home Affairs
General Prof. H. Muhammad Tito Karnavian, Ph.D., Minister of
Religious Affairs KH Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of Women’s
Empowerment and Children Protection I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati,
M.Si, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Dr. H. Sandiaga
Salahuddin Uno,
Minister of the Environment and Forestry
Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, M.Sc.,
Minister of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency Prof. K.H.
Yudian Wahyudi, Ph.D., King of Klungkung Ida Dalem Asmara Putra,
King of Ubud
Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati, Chair of the East Java NU Kyai Haji
Marzuqi Mustamar, M.Ag., Bishop Riah Abu El Assal, Peace Activist,
UN Representative Dr. Abraham Joseph.
Princess Cheryl noted, “Prince Dr. Damien Dematra and I believe that
the success of the International Peace20 Summit as evidenced the
signing of the Peace Pledge by all participants
Is providing President Joko Widodo
with a strong foundation upon which to challenge the G20 delegations
to follow Indonesia’s lead, sign the Peace Pledge and commit to
serious and implementable peace initiatives. Civics and civility,
for example, need to be introduced into every school curriculum for
all children regardless of age.
Prince Dr. Damien Dematra and I are looking forward to continuing to
promote the values of the VOPI and the Peace20 Pledge when India
assumes the G20 Presidency. Peace requires a steadfast and never
ending commitment to its principles , beginning with the Golden
Rule.”
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