A film with the mantra “If I, who lost a loved
one, can walk the path of peace, then surely you can too” features members of
the Israeli-Palestinian 'Parents Circle Families Forum' (PCFF).
The film is part of ‘Taking Steps’, a new peace
initiative calling for the support of an on-going dialogue through sports shoes
embroidered with a ‘Birds of Peace’ logo by female members of the PCFF.
The 'Parents Circle Families Forum' is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organisation, whose members have all lost a
close family member to the on-going conflict, and who believe that dialogue is
necessary in order to reconcile both sides with one another. In order to spread
the organisation's message, BBR Saatchi & Saatchi have launched the 'TAKING STEPS' project
this week.
Central to the ‘Taking Steps’ initiative is the group's first product: hand embroidered 'Birds of Peace' created and sewn onto sports shoes by the women of the group. Birds serve as an iconic symbol and metaphor for peace and reminder that everyone must continue to speak and strive for a solution.
The project is now being launched worldwide and
has already elicited interest from a number of international organisations who
are joining the PCFF’s call to action, as well as prominent celebrities
including Helen Mirren, Meryl Streep, Tina Brown, Barbara Streisand, and Cate
Blanchett, who have already bought the shoes and donated to the project.
BBR Saatchi & Saatchi created a special website where supporters of the campaign can buy a pair of embroidered
sneakers, a patch or simply share the message of walking the path of peace
further.
The 'TAKING STEPS' project was launched in cooperation with the BBR Saatchi & Saatchi advertising agency who created a commercial that speaks of the daily battle those who have lost a close one face, to keep going and never give up. The commercial closes on a personal statement all Forum members agree with: 'If I, who lost a close one, can walk the path of peace, then surely you can too.'