Inaugural monument, The Hague, 2002
First UK monument, Snowdonia, 2003
London, Kingsley Hall, 2018
The origin
Born from seven flames
In 1999, a remarkable moment in human history took place. Seven flames, each lit on one of five continents, were carefully transported to the United Kingdom. There, in a single, profound act of unity, they were merged into one: the World Peace Flame.
The European flame was lit by Princess Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld and flown by the Dutch Royal Air Force. The Canadian flame was lit in an ancient sunrise ceremony by a First Nation Chief. The Asian flame was lit at Gandhi's memorial in Delhi. The Australasian flame was lit by Aboriginal representatives.
Since that moment, the flame has never gone out.
"Nothing we do changes the past. Everything we do changes the future."
The heart of the World Peace Flame
1999
Seven flames united on five continents, merged into one in the UK.
2002
First monument unveiled outside the Peace Palace in The Hague.
2003
First UK monument, Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.
2004
World Peace Pathway opens. Every nation contributes stones — the first time all countries united for peace.
2005
First free medical camp, India. Volunteer doctors treat the poorest communities regardless of faith.
2010
Every nation reached. The flame has now visited every country on Earth.
2012
Peace in Your Hands launches. Recommended by the Dutch Ministry of Education.
Today
The flame belongs to you. Lit daily in homes, schools and cathedrals worldwide.
Scholes, Yorkshire, 2018
National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis
First school monument, India, 2022
Community voices
Stories of the flame
"
Peace in Your Hands takes me back to the passion I felt years ago when I first decided to become a primary school teacher.
Breda, Netherlands
"
I lit the flame for my grandmother on her last night. Something shifted. It felt like the whole world was holding us in that room.
Leicester, England
"
The children in Rwanda — you could see something change in their eyes. Peace became real to them, not just a word.
Rwanda
"
We lit the flame at our interfaith service. For the first time, people of different faiths sat together in silence. It was extraordinary.
Leicester, UK
"
Visitors from every faith ask about the flame. It starts more conversations than anything else we do. It belongs to everyone.
Bristol Cathedral, UK
"
I carry it to every community event. People stop and ask. It becomes a conversation about what we share, not what divides us.
Bristol, UK
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