PEACE TRAVELERS NETWORK CENTERS

       Part cultural and community  centers,  part international  rest  stops PEACE TRAVELERS  CENTERS  will form a network of  self-supported, linked hubs dedicated to affirming the Earth Charter and a culture of peace.
These Centers will each feature a major social or environmental participatory Project,  developing according to the need and traditions of each community, not as a fixed model. They can be a place of encounters, a cultural center that promotes creativity and solidarity,  a support center for local initiatives for peace,  environmental custodianship,  social justice,  sustainable develop- ment,  a place of information and education and a place of  exchanges bet- ween the local communities and the international community.

Self-sustainability
      To avoid the trap of continually depending on grants and donations, each Center will have an income producing Bed & Breakfast to sustain its on-going Project and to allow PEACE TRAVELERS to start other Centers.

The Importance and Power of Names
      Names used for the Center, the hotelS and each guest room will all consistently echo and celebrate the central Project of their own Center. Each Center and its hotel will have a name and environmental design which com- municates, educates and supports its social or environmental mission. Guide books, travelers and travel writers will thus find something compelling to think, write and talk about, spreading knowledge of the Center in the world. Rooms will be memorably themed and decorated, inspiring, comfortable and clean.

Initial Funding
      We will seek donations and grants for the initial phase of the program, to acquire the land if necessary, to build and equip the facilities. We will get seed money from interested individuals, foundations,  planed events.  Con- nection with the Community Wealth Ventures, National Center for Nonprofit Organizations, National Center for Social Entrepreneurs. After this initial investment, the Peace Center will be run as a business and will be expected to be profitable.

Hotel - Bed & Breakfast - Inn
      The Hotels will provide the traveler with an opportunity to be hosted by local people. They will provide the local owner-managers with a living income and with financial and public relations support for the Project of the Center. Travelers will find a peaceful home away from home, a place where everyone can feel welcome as a member of the family. The main emphasis will be on creating a sense of hospitality, warmth and friendliness and creating a true place of exchanges between the community and the traveler. The Peace Center hotels will be priced for both budget and luxury travelers.

Community Service Project
      In addition to their income producing capabilities, the facilities main purpose is to be of service to the local and global community and to promote peace and understanding between people. Centers are living demonstrations of respect for all cultures and for the Earth.

Daily Operations
      The Centers will be operated by local, salaried PEACE CENTER owner- teams.

Ecological Commitment
      Our goal is that the PEACE CENTERS will have a positive impact on the environment  and that we  will do all we can to minimize negative impact. We will be as "green" as possible, recycling, composting and cariing for our natural heritage while encouraging others to do the same.

The Earth Charter
      All the Centers will display, endorse and strive to live by, the Earth Charter (see http://www.earthcharter.org and http://www.UNESCO.org

Architecture and Construction
      Architecture will be rooted in the community and will echo local tradi- tions in layout, style and building materials. We will use traditional building techniques that have proven to be friendly to the environment. When appro- priate we will use ecological technology, solar panels. We will test and showcase new products and use what is least demanding on the envir- onment. We will employ local workers, artisans, artists and builders for a living wage.

Website and publications
      We will have a website and connect with the internet travel industry.

Existing Prototype model in San Francisco
      Begun in 1977-78, the world-acclaimed Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast
& Art is the first culturally innovative, not-for-profit, PEACE TRAVELERS Bed & Breakfast Center. It annually hosts thousands of guests from all over the world. It is on the internet at redvic.com

Professional Hotel Peace Center management training
      Instruction in the essential skills of
         · Hotel daily operations and
         · Publicity and promotion, Image creation
are offered at the Red Victorian Bed, Breakfast & Art,
our prototype PEACE TRAVELERS CENTER in San Francisco, U.S.A.

Possible First Sites
Burkina-Faso Costa Rica
Crete Ecuador
Katmandu Malawi
Mali Samoa
USA
Washington D.C.
New York,
Grand Canyon
Indian reservations
Canada
Toronto
Montreal
Vancouver
Indian reserves

We welcome the whole world. For success member locations require easy access to the traveling public.