The Bible says: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). This verse speaks to the profound importance of early and consistent guidance—laying foundations in childhood that shape a person for life. I truly believe this. So, every time I attend a “Gathering for Peace,” my eyes instinctively scan the crowd, and I find myself asking, “Where are the children and young people? They are next in line. How I wish more of them were here.”
Peace work is a journey—long, deliberate, and generational. We must prepare the next generation to carry its torch by introducing children to the concept of peace early on, nurturing it in their hearts, and showing them how to live it daily.
I’ve attended the Annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at the Milton Keynes Peace Pagoda several times, accompanied by my fiancé, Kush or fellow Columban Lay Missionaries. The event, held every 6th of August, commemorates the victims of the Hiroshima bombing in 1945 and focuses on the need for us to continually advocate for peace and expose the horror it brought, to prevent it from happening again in any part of the world. I’m encouraged to see many families together with their children attending the event.
Earlier this year, Kush—an unwavering volunteer and peace advocate—was invited to the Peace Pagoda’s 45th Anniversary celebration on the 22nd June 2025. Knowing my dedication to peace advocacy, he brought me along. I was thrilled to see so many children and young people, not just attending, but actively participating. They sang, danced, and contributed in beautiful ways.
Their exhibit truly moved me: The Peace Dove Project, led by a remarkable 7-year-old girl named Mia Pavlova-Beales, supported wholeheartedly by her father, Indigo. Mia shared how she started the project because she wanted her voice to be heard and those of her friends too. She thinks grown-ups sometimes forget what love is, especially with phones and computers always around.
Mia asked a big question: What is love? She used the drawing of a dove on a white paper to express her answer and encouraged other young people to do the same. That Peace Dove, on a white paper took wings it seems to me, from Mia’s classroom to other classrooms, from her school to other schools. Over 2,000 peace doves were created by children across Milton Keynes and displayed at the pagoda, each one reflecting a child’s perspective on love and peace. It is their contribution towards peace, and they decorated the Peace Pagoda beautifully for the occasion.
Mia’s explains, “This is our way of reminding the world that love is still here. And it starts with us—the children. Love might not always be around you, but it’s always inside you.”
Her father, Indigo, added during the event: “Each dove is more than a drawing. It is a message of love. A spark of hope. A dream of peace, imagined through your own eyes and hearts. With every colour and every word, you’ve reminded the world that peace begins with young voices—honest, brave, and beautifully creative. You haven’t just made art. You’ve made something unforgettable. This display is yours. And because of you… peace is here, and it has taken flight.”
I’m sure many of you have your own stories about the fruits of educating children about peace. I invite you to share those stories with others. Let’s spread hope and positivity through every generation and work towards peace in the world.
Invitation to the Floating Lantern Ceremony
I warmly invite you to attend this year’s Floating Lantern Ceremony at the Milton Keynes Peace Pagoda on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, beginning at 7:30 PM. The ceremony will honour the victims of Hiroshima and all wars, featuring prayers, speeches, music and the floating of candle-lit lanterns on the lake. This event is open to everyone, regardless of background, age, or culture—and children are especially welcome.
Let peace continue to take flight.
