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May 19, 2011—Rome, Italy—Mines to Vines™ on Sacred SitesRoots of Peace invited as speaker at the 50th Anniversary of Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher). The Interfaith outreach represented “common grounds.”
PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE19 May 2011
FOUNDER AND CEO OF ROOTS OF PEACE PARTICIPATE IN VATICAN CONFERENCE
From 16-18 May 2011 in Rome, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace organized a World Congress on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Pope John XXIII’s Encyclical Letter Mater et Magistra (Mother and Teacher), entitled “Justice and Globalization: From Mater et Magistra to Caritas in Veritate.” Among the themes discussed during the three-day event were the new aspects of the social question, including the situation of agriculture, the elimination of imbalances between land and population, the relationships between economically developed political communities and those political communities in the process of economic development, and the urgency of understanding and cooperation among nations. The World Congress inspired a thoughtful and fruitful consideration of today’s disparities and different issues related to the current context of globalization, and articulated with renewed vigor the common mission of Catholic institutions and organizations worldwide of evangelization, in particular through putting into practice the social doctrine of the Church. Heidi and Gary Kühn were invited to participate in the Congress by Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and to present to the Plenary of some 300 delegates the mission of Roots of Peace, as part of the day-long session on “good practices.” A highlight of their presentation was the particularly hopeful initiative of Roots of Peace to engage in de-mining areas of the Holy Land. 156 States, including the Holy See, are parties to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It is hoped that the effort to transform the mine fields into fertile ground will be successful, so that once these non-operational mine fields are removed from the Holy Land, God’s intended blessing may be realized anew in this sacred space. Roots of Peace works to rid the world of landmines and other explosive remnants of war by transforming minefields into thriving farmland and communities. The organization removes the hazard of landmines and unexploded ordinance from the soil. It then works with international agencies and the private sector to revitalize the country’s agricultural sector, bringing de-mined land back into productive agriculture use and creating a harvest of hope for communities in landmine affected countries.
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Heidi Kühn, Founder and CEO of Roots of Peace,
Click here to view the visual presentation displayed by Heidi Kühn during her speech at the Vatican.
The Emon from the principal mosque in Rome—largest Muslim mosque in Europe—presents 
His Excellency Pope Benedict XVI blesses all people and creeds who are working 
Heidi Kühn—The Road to Jericho—Baptismal Site of Jesus (Qasr el Yahud) 
Forbidden Roads to Sacred Sites 
Qasr el Yahud, Baptismal Site of Jesus—Landmines 
Daniel Yuval, age 12, Roots of Peace
Commentary Excerpt: Our economy depends on healthy non-profits We have also had the unique experience to work with Roots of Peace, a San Rafael-based organization that is currently leading an ambitious $2.5 million campaign to demine and replant in Israel and the West Bank. This three-year commitment will literally help turn “mines to vines” and the timing couldn’t be better, or more challenging, particularly with the current unrest in the Middle East. With offices and 10 employees in downtown San Rafael, Roots of Peace is run by Marin-resident, Heidi Kühn, and has more than 500 employees globally. The financial and business support that we give to Roots of Peace is a unique opportunity for a local community bank to support a non-profit that is global in its reach. Click here to view the full North Bay Business Journal article.
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