What differentiates World Harmony Day (WHD) from other altruistic organisations?

World Harmony Day is an organisation that was formed by the spirit of people coming together. We do not have a donation drive or ways and means to self run, we are not a structured, organised group, rather it is the readiness of individuals who want to come together for a common purpose, and it began with my mother and I. In fact, WHD exists because of the spirit of people around us who feels that it is necessary for us to continue the stand for 2 min WHD Peace Silence after experiencing the initial WHD 2002.


How has your religious background contributed to the founding of WHD?

The founding of World Harmony Day was sparked by the tragedy of 9/11. With all the fear, grief, worry, lack of trust, and anger we felt that it was necessary to take action and do something to get over feeling lonely and helpless. Those who support World Harmony Day are of numerous and varied religious backgrounds. The point of standing in peace together is to reiterate the message that we cannot use the mask of Religion to continue the insane violence.


As we all know, Singapore is THE red-tape country, did you experience any such deterrence along the way? And did you receive any unexpected help maybe?

I remember at the age of 22 speaking to the police chief commissioner was a pretty daunting experience altogether. We discussed about what was appropriate to say and not say. Obviously, it was a huge responsibility to host the platform for setting the wheels of peace and love in motion and not sparking any rage and animosity. Some advice was given on which grounds could not be covered – such as not mentioning certain well-known individuals that people around the world love to hate. At first, I was really dubious about the reasons why we could not even speak such names, and I even thought... “Come on let’s be REAL, we know the truth right? So now is the time to bring that out”… but in hindsight it is totally understandable because this event is about standing up for peace and not about feeding any negative energy. Giving those individuals more attention might diminish the value of the event and contribute to the already saturated press coverage. It would be like preaching to a group of people who are converts in that sense. We get a sense of the purpose of peace while conducting ourselves in a dignified manner.


Myth? Singaporeans are also know as being mercenaries and ignorant of worldly affairs? Any comments?

Sometimes, we do live in a perfect bubble with the system serving us so well and there does not seem to be a pressing need for individuals to step out of their comfort zones…. But I guess to a certain extent that is slowly changing and we have met many whom will willingly help and give a damn during the preparations of WHD . Especially with the loss that has been caused by the biggest catastrophe of tsunami in history. I am utterly lost for words to offer over the deceased and their families. I just pray to god that their souls shall rest in peace. Many Singaporeans are really seeing themselves as South East Asians and South East Asians within the world. The amount of emails, contributions, aid and volunteering to the affected countries is over-whelming. By being in The United States when the crisis hit has caused me not only grief but has opened my eyes to the willingness of the world to come together in support. There is a tremendous outpouring of relief and donations being generated throughout the United States – including many families bringing clothing and blankets to donation centres. Another way for people worldwide to help alleviate the suffering is to pray for the recovery of the affected areas. Starting today, let us close our eyes for a few seconds before each meal and send words of prayer to these countries. Let us send a prayer for them before we go to sleep. February 20th 2005 on WHD let us get together and send a universal prayer of peace for their wellbeing. We are in the process of trying to organise just that and will maintain updated information on the website www.worldharmonyday.com. As I have already mentioned, WHD is the coming together of spirited, concerned individuals who will propel this event to fruition.

If you are interested in assisting, organising a committee, or contributing in any way that you feel that your talents can allow you, please email me at: gretageorges@gmail.com


How far has WHD’s vision come two years after its inception? What is the role that technology played (internet)?

We have come a long way from an idea between a mother and daughter… to now helping to connect people of various race and religion in unity… And the turn out on each and every WHD has been very heart-warming. WHD is not about selling any item or product, and the mere commitment of being together for a higher purpose finds us feeling good in this all to often materialistic and sometimes cynical world. The Internet has helped us to network and gather like-minded people and most importantly inform people of our existence.


New entrants boost the World Harmony Network yearly, how do new members get in touch, and what help/advice do you offer?

New Members can get in touch via email at gretageorges@gmail.com directly with me and we would appreciate the help, advice and opinions that they are willing to offer.


How does overseas affiliates (most notably Brazil, Laos and Colorado) celebrate WHD (concert as well?) Is there a standardised issue that is addressed or issues raised more localised in context?

Overseas affiliates set up their own World Harmony Day and come up with their own concept and issues and ideas. We do provide them with the information of what we have come up with and our direction and it is loosely followed. The Laos WHD was held in a school for the blind and it was being organised by an Iranian (then volunteering in Laos) whom I met while travelling through Malaysia. In Brazil I had initially met an enterprising 16 year old girl in Washington D.C together with my mother Sunflower Chong, whilst attending an International Peace Poetry, and the Colorado event organiser was someone whom my mother has been in touch with via email about the concerns of the world and thus the connection was founded.


A 700 people turned up for WHD 2004; did this unprecedented number come as a pleasant surprise? Or has the publicity done its job?

Gosh your question almost makes me giggle…. publicity? We had more post publicity than pre.. And also we had only organised the event 10 days before WHD 2004. To be perfectly honest, my mother and I had lost much of our steam as it was extremely tiring and the purpose would be gone if we were to go through the motions just for the sake of setting something up. So WHD 2004 came as a little surprise … it was because of my mother’s friend who had said to her that we cannot allow the WHD spirit to die off, and from there it was just pure magic. We saw Singaporeans from all walks of life come together for the next ten days to set this up, a network of personal friends. This energy recharged us and the people who carried the torch of harmony and unity with their dedication and belief sincerely touched us. So to have more than 15 people come together in pure faith already did the job for us. The rest of the people who turned up were more than a pleasant surprise for all of us… it was like waiting for the flowers to finally bloom and admiring them in all their glory. Intangible joy of living and being together and the heart has to open up to the experience of life and love to receive it fully. We are very blessed and grateful for the experience.


From your experience, Singaporeans generally concerned with the issues of “peace and harmony”?

I think that … now the gravity of the situation from the Tsunami is slowly sinking into the hearts of many and much help is strongly needed. Peace and Harmony right now has taken a more Asian context and Singaporeans have shown to have the enthusiasm, goodwill and concern.


There is talk of a “World Harmony House”. Can you tell us more about it?

It is important to channel all that goodwill and enthusiasm to something that everyone can see that has the potential to grow. World Harmony House aims to be a place where people can get together and share in their concerns for Peace and Harmony. Encouraging them to draw from their own resources in strength and numbers to grow and flourish.


Which artists will be performing at this year’s WHD? What will you tell people who have never been to WHD, what to expect there?

People who have never been to WHD can expect a day of kindred sprits coming together … the symbolic mass candle lighting of 2 minutes Peace Silence and above all the spontaneous flame of WHD by people of Singapore. The artists performing have yet to be confirmed.


Are there specific issues that will be addressed at this year’s WHD? Perhaps the Asian Earthquake?

In fact, the focus of WHD will be just that. As mentioned prayers will be sent out to the affected and one of the more important ways for people from all over the world to help alleviate the suffering is by praying for the recovery of the affected areas. As in this year’s WHD, on Feb 20th 2005 by sending from our hearts, minds and souls, a mass prayer of peace for their wellbeing.


WHD seems to work on an ideological front that is to remind people of what’s important. If your organisation has the means (funds etc.), what concrete steps will you take towards realising WHD’s vision?

Education is a very important step to help raise awareness and inculcate values and accept responsibility for our future. If our organisation has the means …well the most concrete step will be to develop an education program to be introduced to the youth.

Dynamic civilizations rise and grow because they can continually adapt to the ever-changing tide of situations the world presents. Strategies and ideas are therefore the engines of civilizations. Humankind now possesses much more communications power than ever to generate and convey new ideas and yet we choose to stagnate in the same mindless violent strategies that we have employed since we first evolved.

Now more than ever Humankind needs new ideas and strategies to save itself from itself. “Fear breeds stagnation and love creates growth.” – Sunflower Chong. There can be real progress only when the next generation chooses love over fear.

An educational program of strategic goals and objectives for a brighter tomorrow provided by the citizens of tomorrow, the youth of today.


Do you think there is a lack of community activism in Singapore? Why?

Right now community activism in Singapore is on the rise with the speedy response in helping tsunami victims in the region, with a significant number involved particularly in Indonesia’s West Sumatra and Aceh provinces.

The manner in which Singapore has mobilized aid to the affected areas has really impressed many and even Singaporeans themselves. Singapore’s efforts in this catastrophe by coming together in shared humanity has changed and broke many mouldy perceptions of the lack of community activism.


How has WHD changed your perspective as a person, secondly, a Singaporean?

When WHD began, I was a 20 years Singaporean girl who believed that the whole world would come together to declare their stance for peace, harmony and unity. Now 4 years on… I am still trying to play my part and I have learned that the human factor is the one common thread that runs through all of us. It has dramatically changed my whole mindset and behaviour from being the bench warmer (of hoping and dreaming) to dribbling forward and taking a shot.


Has the WHD cause found like-minded friends in the private, government sectors? Any unexpected friends-in-high-places?

Most definitely…more so in the private sector, I have crossed paths with many people of different professions and have been given a little window to their worlds, which I would never otherwise have had. Unexpected friends in high places? Nah, just unexpected in high places in my heart!