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A Journey for Peace
APRIL 14, 2010—Oxford, England  The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship accelerates the impact of the world's leading social entrepreneurs by uniting them with essential partners in the social, academic, finance, corporate and policy sectors in pursuit of learning, leverage and large-scale social change. From the Opening Plenary at The Sheldonian Theater erected in 1664 where William Shakespeare once stood to The Gala Dinner at Christ Church where Lewis Carol wrote “Alice in Wonderland” and Harry Potter centuries later performed his magic, layers of history lined these walls. These wall staged a “looking glass” into the future featuring world class entrepreneurs such as Jeff Skoll, Sally Osberg, Paul Farmer, Bill Drayton, Pat Mitchell, Paul Hawkin, Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley and a myriad of other global thought leaders all called to action to “wave a wand” for innovative collaboration towards lasting peace.
 Sally Osberg, Sir Ben Kingsley, Heidi Kühn (Social Entrepreneur 2006), Robert Redford, Jeff Skoll
 Heidi, Kyleigh & Tucker Kühn with Al Gore. “An Inconvenient Truth" on Climate Change—Produced by Jeff Skoll, CEO, Participant Films
 The 2010 theme Catalyzing Collaboration was fortuitous, as Larry Brilliant, President, Skoll Global Threats Fund, led a symposium contemplating how “pandemics pose daunting threats; spread globally at a rapid speed, impact people directly, and have the potential to stop commerce.” As he literally spoke, volcanic ash from Iceland shut down London/Heathrow airport for nearly a week—causing economic chaos.
APRIL 17, 2010—London, England—Volcanic Refugees The volcanic ash from Iceland closed all British airspace, and travelers were abandoned to their fate. Chaos erupted and tempers boiled over like molten lava, as stranded travelers seeking ways to get out of London were left to the greed of airlines, hotels and cruise liners which increased their prices dramatically. Dragging two large suitcases in hand, I traveled alone to Northampton, England, via railway with the guidance of local British residents who helped me to identify a myriad of colored ramps and connecting trains.
APRIL 18, 2010—Northampton, England—“Don't Curse the Darkness, Light a Candle!”  Terry & Patty Ward at Althorp Castle Sundial—The Sands of Time...  Paula Loyd Weeks ago, I receive an e-mail from a lovely woman, Patty Ward, who was guided to speak with me regarding her upcoming travel to Afghanistan. She lived on St. Thomas Island, and I lived in California—a coast apart. Yet, we continued our e-mail exchange, as we hoped to meet in Washington, D.C. sometime in the future. As destiny unfolded, she and her husband, Terry, attended a graduation ceremony at The Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, where Prince William graduated. Now, we were both stranded on the British Isles and decided it was time to meet. So, both Patty and Terry drove up to Northampton, so that I would not have to travel alone since the U.K. was in upheaval—truly a gracious couple.  Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, Patty Ward, Terry Ward. U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, April 2010 Together, we dined and the true story of their quest to Afghanistan unfolded. On January 7, 2009, their beloved daughter, Paula Loyd, suffered an attack when gasoline was poured on her body and set ablaze by The Taliban. A former USAID officer in Afghanistan, Loyd was a“'quiet professional,” and when she spoke people listened. Paula found the Afghan people to be elegant, generous and hospitable, and so she dedicated her life as a ”true humanitarian” according to Ashraf Haidari, Afghan Embassy to the U.S. and Roots of Peace Board Member. As the night unfolded, I learned a great deal about their late daughter. Paula had a passion for sundials, and perhaps from behind her eyes with shaded glasses, she intuitively knew that her days were numbered. Paula said in a note: “Mom—I want you
 Paula Loyd with Afghan girls
APRIL 19, 2010—Althorp Castle—“A Candle in the Wind” By private invitation from Earl Charles Spencer, we were invited to the childhood home and burial site of the late Princess Diana of Wales, who raised global visibility regarding the landmine issue prior to her death.
 Young landmine victim
In September 1997, Roots of Peace began with a simple toast that the world may go from Mines to Vines™—replacing the scourge of landmines with bountiful vineyards worldwide. Today, over a dozen years later, our vision turned into reality, as we walked the gracious pathway leading to the memorial site honoring the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
 Pathway towards Princess Diana's burial site
Althorp Castle has been the Spencer family home for over 500 years amidst over 500 acres of idyllic parkland much of which has remained unaltered for centuries. Together, we were standing on sacred grounds, as this was the burial site of the late Princess Diana who lit the global torch on the landmine issue. Now, volcanic ash led us to her final resting grounds—a compassionate woman who stood as a profile of peace.
 Profiles of Peace
 Caroline Dwyer, Patty Ward and Heidi Kühn
Standing together at this sacred site which is only open to the public during July 1st (Birth) to August 31st (Death), we suddenly realized that both Diana and Paula were both 36 years old at the time of their tragic death from fire—both women of passion with a life dedicated towards helping others.
Some thoughts lay too deep for words to say, as we both gazed up at the marble plaque—her passion burned out brightly, but her legend never will…
 Memorable quote by Diana, Princess of Wales, June 1997
 Diana, Princess of Wales, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, August 1997
APRIL 24, 2010—Rome, Italy—“All Roads Lead to Rome” Following the navigational leadership of Captain Terry Ward in purchasing the last few tickets from London to Paris aboard the EuroRail beneath the English Channel, we finally arrived on “The Continent.” From there, we parted ways as “Reluctant Vulcans”—RV's—as we dubbed ourselves, as survivors of the volcanic ash which restricted air travel throughout Europe for the first time in history. The Wards were destined for Dubai, as I was destined for Rome. The roar of the engines, and the sight of billowy white clouds of aircraft soaring across the skies was a welcomed sign of hope.  Flavia Taggiasco, ROP European Director Arriving in Rome, we met with our Roots of Peace European Director, Ms. Flavia Taggiasco, who escorted me to the #1 television news studio featuring Mr. Alessio Vinci. Both had produced a CNN segment on our Mines to Vines™ initiative in Fall 2004, and it was an exceptional reunion of key broadcasters—turning brief television segments into long-term action! By chance, we contacted The Pontifical Council of Peace & Justice at The Vatican regarding our renewed commitment towards the landmine issue. While always remaining a 'humanitarian' organization, we greatly appreciated being granted a formal appointment on less than 24 hours notice. The following Press Release was issued from The Vatican regarding our visit:
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE24 April 2010
“WE MUST RENEW AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMITMENT AT BOTH THE INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS TO RID AGRICULTURAL FIELDS OF THE DEATH-DEALING LANDMINES THAT ARE DEVASTATING THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN,” SAID MONSIGNOR ANTHONY R. FRONTIERO, AN OFFICIAL OF THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE, IN A MEETING WITH MRS. HEIDI KÜHN, FOUNDER AND CEO OF ROOTS OF PEACE
 Pope Benedict XVI greets Heidi Kühn at a private audience
 Mullah presents the Holy Qur'an—Interfaith respect with the removal of landmines
APRIL 26, 2010—Zadar, Croatia—“Turning Mines to Vines™' for more than a decade!” Roots of Peace visited the Rotary Club of Zadar, Croatia, where we vowed to start a Rotary Roots of Peace Program in January 2000—the first month of the new millennium. Several doubted our tenacity for over a decade, yet our pioneer spirit prevailed and we raised over $1.5 million to DEMINE/REPLANT in Croatia through Rotary District #5150, Castro Valley, Valley of the Moon, Modesto Rotary and Rotary International matches.
 Rotary Club of Zadar, Croatia, January 2000
 Rotary Club of Zadar, Croatia, January 2000
In the true spirit of the Rotary 4-way test (Truth, Fair, Build Better Friendships, Beneficial for All Involved), we raised over $200,000 from Rotary alone. Thus, we toasted our glasses in the spirit of “Zivili” in celebration!
 Rotary Club of Zadar, Croatia, January 2010  Devastation from the Balkan war, January 2000
Prior to September 11, 2001, the devastation of The Balkan war was astonishing beyond belief and deeply motivated me “into action.”
The grapevine is an icon for peace, as it represents the juicy nectar of grapes, raisins or a fine bottle of wine. Hence, the name is Mines to Vines™—respecting the choice of all cultures to ferment the vine or not.
 Mine-riddled vineyard in January 2000
Today, as a result of the generous donation by Croatian-born Miljenko 'Mike' Grgich and the various Rotary Clubs, over 25,000 grapevines and 12,500 apple trees have been planted in partnership with The University of Zadar. By maintaining the vision of Mines to Vines™, the scourge of landmines have been replaced by bountiful vineyards in Dragalic, Vukovar, Ilok, Karlovac, Ciste Male, Ciste Velika, Bibijne, and Bastica!
 Thriving vineyard on former minefield, April 2010
 Branislav Brsic, Past President, Rotary Club of Zadar, Heidi Kühn and Mario Susac, farmer
Together, we have turned the vision of Mines to Vines™ into mine action! Croatian farmers who once risked their lives to get back to the land, are proud to cultivate their vineyards without the fear of losing a limb. Turning “swords into plowshares” by replacing landmines with bountiful soil/soul was our initial passion to begin this journey. And, how very grateful it is to walk proudly on land which was once forbidden to trespass.
APRIL 28, 2010—Sibinek, Croatia—CROMAC/ITF Mine Action Conference Roots of Peace was most honored to be featured at a Croatian Press Conference hosted by the Croatian Mine Action Center (CROMAC) and the International Trust Fund (ITF) to honor our efforts for the past decade in raising $1.5 million through private funding to transform Mines to Vines™.
 Press conference
Vice Prime Minister Durda Adlesic and the U.S. Embassy received an additional cheque from Croatian-born vintner, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich to be matched by the ITF for further demining in Bastica—a village near Zadar which literally translates into “Little Garden.”
 On the road to Bastica
A few weeks later, the HCR plaque acknowledging the decade of commitment, along with a bottle of wine grown on former minefields in Bastica, was presented to Napa Valley vintner Mike Grgich at his California home—a gentleman with a legacy as both a vintner and a peacemaker.
 Heidi & Miljenko "Mike" Grgich in Napa Valley, California
The remnants of war in Bastica, a frontline for the Serb/Croat war, remain scarred on the lands across from the pastoral vineyards. Yet the fruit of the vine brings peace and economic prosperity, as bulbs replace bullets.
 Heidi & Branislav Brsic, Past-President, Rotary Club of Zadar
Now, a decade after walking our first minefield in January 2000, the Croatian panoramic coastline is now thriving with tourism. Yet, fresh flowers remain high above the Adriatic Sea, as families remember the sacrifices made by loved ones.
 Graveyard overlooking the sea...
The finale of the visit was the honor of a private invitation by Vice Prime Minister Durda Adlesic to visit her offices at The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital of Zagreb. Together, we discussed innovative ways to work together, as the plight of landmines affects an estimated 10,000 women and children worldwide. Both cancer survivors, we agreed that “Cancer is a landmine, and landmines are a cancer to the earth.”
 Vice Prime Minister Durda Adlesic and Heidi Kühn
MAY 1, 2010—Rimini, Italy—San Patrignano “GOOD GOODS” SQUISITO! is one of the largest slow food exhibitions in Europe, as Michelin chefs find new ways to 'cook up peace' by inspiring recipes featuring alternative crops to poppies. This year, Roots of Peace partnered with the Afghan saffron growers from Herat, Afghanistan, to demonstrate high value crops.
 Squisito
This Afghan farmer once grew prime opium, and now has switched to saffron since it provides a higher economic yield. And, now his neighbors have joined him! Over 600 Afghan farmers now proudly work with him, as he doubles/triples his income to poppies.
 Sydne Rome, actress, Roots of Peace emissary
 Squisito
Ms. Flavia Taggiasco, European Director for Roots of Peace, and her entire family have joined us at this most inspirational event for the past four years. Tireless hours have been put into our booth, as thousands of European visitors are able to visually see alternative agricultural crops to poppies—giving them a “taste of peace!” This year, we were honored to have Ms. Sydne Rome, Actress, Roots of Peace Emissary, joining us at our booth bringing her stardom to highlight Afghan needs.
 Andreas & Carolina Taggiasco ROP Italian Penny Ambassadors
The Taggiassco children have led the European Roots of Peace Penny Campaign to raise funds for Afghan children to build schools and soccer fields. Over 15,000 EUROS have been raised to establish desks for children to study—lifting their bodies, spirits and mind!
 Afghan students enjoying their new desks raised at Italian fundraiser for Roots of Peace!
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