History of Generations for Peace

"At the center of all non-violence stands the principle of love"
Martin Luther King, Jr.

History . . .

"A genuine peace movement opposed to the use of war as a means of settling disputes. A belief in God must lead to a believe in peace." Rabbi Joshua Stampher, 1982 Portland Oregon

Generations for Peace began as an interfaith movement dedicated to the great cause of world peace. Incorporated on July 17, 1981 as a non-profit, tax deductable organization, Generations for Peace was intended as an education organization to get people thinking about how to avoid war.

The founder of the organization was Rev. John Whiteneck. Whiteneck was a Congregational minister for 37 years, and a staff member of Lewis and Clark College for nearly 10 years. Three weeks after his retirement he founded Generations for Peace.

Whiteneck's original vision was to establish a World Survival Council. Influenced by his pacifist upbringing and threats of nuclear war, Whiteneck felt the need to create a world-wide organization that could eventually lead to world peace. Generations for Peace grew out of that earlier vision.

While originally intended as a forum for world peace, the early 1980's saw Generations for Peace take on an active role in the peace movement. On July 4, 1983, it released an anti-nuclear resolution realized in a cross-country peace march culminating in a peace vigil in Washington, DC August 6-9, 1983, to commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

During that time the Peace Park, in the South Park blocks of Southwest Portland was established as a focal point for peaceful gatherings. In 1984 the annual Generations for Peace essay contest was also established with funds donated by Whiteneck. The contest is open to all 11th and 12th grade studendts. Entrants write an essay on a particular peace-themed topic. Winners of the contest win scholarship money for the college of their choice.

Generations for Peace continues to support world interdependence and world peace. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said, "the choice is no longer between violence and non-violence. it is either non-violence or non-existence."

Peace be with You.

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