Bridging Divides, Becoming Sisters (WFWP Latin America)
Written by: Gloria Miranda Dantas
One of the plans that WFWP Subregion 2 in Latin America has dreamt about throughout this year in 2021 is the Bridge of Peace Ceremony. It was a great challenge trying to make it a reality and planning out the steps to be able to host a Bridge of Peace Ceremony. It had never been done virtually and with four countries involved: Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
We made it very clear that through the Bridge of Peace ceremony, WFWP emphasizes finding solutions by making a sincere effort to take responsibility and care for one another. This approach to conflict resolution allows us to bring out the best in each other, enhancing and strengthening each person in remarkable ways.
The four chairwomen of the chapters and myself held long meetings. First, we brainstormed what contacts we had and if they would be willing to accept our invitation to become sisters or partners. Amazing women were brought up from each country. We invited them to meet each other in a previous meeting before the event. We explained to them in detail what the “Bridge of Peace Ceremony” is about and how we would present the program. They showed so much enthusiasm and were really moved to be part of such a project.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived. The MC was Jin Hwa Dantas, who with her sweetness and young energy guided everyone throughout the program. The International President of WFWP, Mrs. Julia Moon, introduced WFWP through a video. Our International Vice President of Latin America, Mrs. Roswitha Giuliano, gave the welcoming remarks and presented the four pillars of the Bridge of Peace. A historical flight of the region was presented by Professor Blanca Pol, as astonishing images of the natural resources of the four countries were shown. After that, the Bridge of Peace Ceremony began.
Rosetta Conti, Sachiko Granges, María Rosa Neme and Roswitha Giuliano, the chairwomen of the four countries, introduced the amazing women who will become sisters:
-Two present congresswomen, Esmerita Sánchez da Silva from Paraguay and Laura Tassano from Uruguay.
-A scientist, Ana Inés Zambrana from Uruguay and a businesswoman, Lourdes Soledad Barrozo from Argentina.
-The wife of a former governor and university teacher, Ximena Trengove Vallejos from Easter Island, Chile and a woman involved in governmental cultural areas Nelly Martínez from Paraguay.
-A social worker, Ofelia Fernández from Argentina and a family coach, Patricia Calderón Arellano from Chile.
-Psychology and fine arts teacher, Marta Formichella from Argentina and Master in Education Gloria Valenzuela from Chile.
A moving song called “A World of Peace” composed by Carlos Varga, was interpreted by four young people from Argentina and was offered to the audience. The newly born sisters exchanged the flags of their countries and gave each other a virtual present: a letter of gratitude, flowers, poems and songs. They opened their hearts showing how much such an event had touched them and how delighted they were of having met and becoming sisters of one another. These outstanding women received a certificate of their sisterhood.
At the end of the program, Mrs. Sayuri Sugitani, family coach and counselor of WFWP Latin America, shared powerful closing remarks. She ended her speech saying: “Let us be like water that creates and nurtures everything and purifies the world with a flexible and humble attitude.”
All in all, the sisters, the organizers, the technicians and the guests felt that when women come together and their goal is peace, nothing can stop them from making dreams come true.
