“The Ark of Hope, a 49" (124.5cm) x 32" (81.3cm) x 32" (81.3cm) wooden chest was created as a place of refuge for the Earth Charter document, an international peoples treaty for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century.”  (http://www.earthcharter.org/)

THE ARK OF HOPE

“The Ark was designed and painted by Vermont, USA artist Sally Linder, built by cabinetmaker Kevin Jenness and lined by fabric artist Beth Haggart. It was crafted from a single plank of sycamore maple from a sustainable forest in Germany. The five painted panels that form the sides and top of the Ark each represent the flora and fauna of the world as seen through the images of the world's traditional artists. Each panel visualizes a season, a direction, an element, and a universal symbol. Symbols of faith from traditional religions and indigenous societies surround the top panel of "Spirit" that honors the children and young animals of the world. The 96" carrying poles are unicorn horns which render evil ineffective.

The Ark of Hope also provides refuge for the Temenos Books, Images and Words for Global Healing, Peace, and Gratitude. Over 600 handcrafted 8" x 8" x 2" books have been made by artists, schoolchildren, and citizens around the world, expressing their individual and collaborative prayers and affirmations for Earth. The Earth Charter's 16 principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society are the guiding vision behind the creation of these books... The Ark of Hope was created for a celebration of the Earth Charter held at Shelburne Farms, Vermont on September 9, 2001. The event, for love of Earth, featured keynote speaker Jane Goodall, global peace walker Satish Kumar, musician Paul Winter, and Dr. Steven C. Rockefeller, a member of the Earth Charter Commission.

(According to the Temenos Project, which produced the Books, a temenos is "a magical sacred circle where special rules apply and extraordinary events inevitably occur.")

On September 11, 2001 volunteers were cleaning up from the September 9th event when news of the New York and Washington, DC terrorist attacks and tragedies was heard. Sally Linder’s immediate, spontaneous response to the horror was to begin walking the Ark of Hope to New York and the United Nations. Joined by Andrea Morgante and Janet Fredericks, they carried the 200-pound chest across the meadows of the farm to Rt. 7 where they were joined by Susan Diehl Dufort. Hundreds of walkers joined the pilgrimage to New York City, bringing with them hope and the vision of the Earth Charter to communities along the way.... Recognizing that the United Nations is central to global efforts to solve problems which challenge humanity, the Ark of Hope carrying the Earth Charter and the Temenos Books was exhibited at the United Nations during the World Summit PrepCom II in January-February 2002. Schools, churches, museums, and various organizations have hosted the Ark of Hope since its creation in 2001. It is exhibited at the Interfaith Center of New York when it is not traveling. [Visit http://www.interfaithcenter.org/ for information.”]

The Ark of Hope carrying the Earth Charter and Temenos Books is scheduled to be in the Netherlands from, February - November 2005. www.arkofhope.org says “The Ark will travel throughout the Netherlands introducing people to the Earth Charter, and inviting citizens and students to add their hopes for the future to the Temenos Books held within the Ark”.

www.inplainsite.org/html/the_earth_charters_unholy_ark.html