Companion Flag Adoption Ceremony

Mann Public SchoolNew Delhi, IndiaOctober 20, 2005

TheThe Companion Flag Companion Flag at Schoolat School

Presented by:Presented by:

Companion Flag Support Companion Flag Support InternationalInternational

Visit us at www.companionflag.org

A 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

What is the Companion Flag?

Why would we want it at our school? What does it do?

The importance of honoring all that human beings have in common.

What it doesn’t do.

Why does the Companion Flag look the way it does?

Where is it flying today?

What steps are involved in adopting it, and how much will it cost?

Topics covered:

The Companion Flag is a symbol of The Companion Flag is a symbol of all that human beings have in all that human beings have in common.common.

What is the Companion Flag?

It’s called the “Companion Flag” because. . .

. . .it is always flown below the other flags of the world, on the same pole (never alone).

The flag of Latvia and the Companion Flag

The Companion Flag is a simple The Companion Flag is a simple white flag with a single stripe of white flag with a single stripe of color across the top. . .color across the top. . .

The stripe’s color is any color appearing in the “host flag” above it.

When the Companion When the Companion Flag is displayed Flag is displayed below the US flag, for below the US flag, for example, the stripe example, the stripe can be either red or can be either red or blue.blue.

When the Companion When the Companion Flag is displayed Flag is displayed below the US flag, for below the US flag, for example, the stripe example, the stripe can be either red or can be either red or blue.blue.

When flown below, When flown below, say, the Canadian or say, the Canadian or Japanese flags, the Japanese flags, the stripe will always be stripe will always be red.red.

When it is displayed When it is displayed below the flag of a below the flag of a province, state, city, province, state, city, organization, team, organization, team, club, school, etc., club, school, etc., that that flagflag becomes the host becomes the host flag.flag.

An interpretive sign is posted on or An interpretive sign is posted on or near the flag pole.near the flag pole.

OK, the Companion Flag represents OK, the Companion Flag represents all that human beings have in all that human beings have in common. common.

But what But what dodo we have in common? we have in common?

Anything?

the love of family

the desire for health

concern for the safety and happiness of loved ones

susceptibility to pain and pleasure, illness and injury

the love of music and stories the desire for knowledge

the range of human emotions

sexual desire

the experiences of birth, aging and death

memories

the need for water

the desire for friendshiplanguage

laughter

the need for sleep

biological identity

dependence on plants and animals

the love of children

vulnerability to the elements

the use of tools

asking questions

the use of numerals

sports and games

rituals and traditions

art

the need for food

sharing the earth

the desire for respect

human dignity

Yes!

We humans are, paradoxically, We humans are, paradoxically, both different and the same. both different and the same. The Companion Flag is the first symbol in history to embrace this simple but elusive idea:

That while there are many important human differences in the world (just as there are many important human differences at school). . .

We are not just different from each other; we are, at once, both different and the same!

What’s more, honoring our differences does not mean we cannot, or should not, simultaneously honor all that we share in common with people everywhere.

This is the crux of the Companion Flag idea.

Why would you want the Companion Flag at your school? What does it do?

Flying the Companion Flag is a way to actively honor both our Flying the Companion Flag is a way to actively honor both our differences and separation from other human beings [the host flag], differences and separation from other human beings [the host flag], and all that we share in common with people everywhere, as well [the and all that we share in common with people everywhere, as well [the Companion Flag]. It symbolizes a new way for people to see each Companion Flag]. It symbolizes a new way for people to see each other.other.

It is essential that your entire student body be informed about the meaning of the Companion Flag. Once this is done. . .

. . .the Companion Flag will:

Increase every student’s ability to recognize the Increase every student’s ability to recognize the essential dignity in other people, regardless of essential dignity in other people, regardless of their differences.their differences.

Reduce incidents of bullying, teasing, “put-Reduce incidents of bullying, teasing, “put-downs” and violence at school.downs” and violence at school.

Foster a heightened sense of personal value, Foster a heightened sense of personal value, belonging, and connection at school – for belonging, and connection at school – for allall students!students!

It will also:

Reduce tensions between students who affiliate Reduce tensions between students who affiliate exclusively on the basis of differences – e.g., ethnicity, exclusively on the basis of differences – e.g., ethnicity, popularity, family wealth, sexual orientation, popularity, family wealth, sexual orientation, athleticism, etc. And. . .athleticism, etc. And. . .

Make all students proud that their school helped “lead Make all students proud that their school helped “lead the way” by adopting this important new symbol of the way” by adopting this important new symbol of human inter-connectedness!human inter-connectedness!

What’s so important about honoring all that human beings have in common?

When we can see parts of ourselves in When we can see parts of ourselves in others, compassionate impulses arise others, compassionate impulses arise naturally within naturally within eacheach of us to promote of us to promote understanding, compassion, constructive understanding, compassion, constructive dialogues, and inter-personal regard.dialogues, and inter-personal regard.

Young people understand this. . .

“Don’t talk to us about diversity like this is aseparate issue. It makes people feel defensive.”

Student reaction to a symposium on diversity and multicultural education in Boston area high schools. Reported in the Boston Globe, October 1, 2000.

“They said, ‘Get us together to talk about what we share and not about how we are different.’

“They identified issues that, despite their native languages or family customs, all teenagers have in common. . .”

“. . . friends and family, school, music, relationships. These are the areas the students said where they can develop a common language.”

In other words, in addition to celebrating diversity, acknowledge and celebrate what people have in common.

Embrace the paradox of humanity – the fact that we humans are, at once, both different and the same – don’t ignore it.

Young people around the world Young people around the world understand that honoring what we have understand that honoring what we have in common is important because it –in common is important because it –

promotes a much-needed sense of connection, promotes a much-needed sense of connection, safety and understandingsafety and understanding

provides opportunities for friendship and provides opportunities for friendship and constructive dialogues, andconstructive dialogues, and

underscores the essential dignity of every personunderscores the essential dignity of every person

Do your school’s symbols promote both: (i) an appreciation for our differences, diversity and separation

If not, consider flying the Companion Flag!

But first. . .

and (ii) an active awareness of all that human beings have in common?

What the Companion Flag What the Companion Flag doesn’tdoesn’t do. . .do. . .

It doesn’t:It doesn’t:

(1) Deny or diminish the importance of (1) Deny or diminish the importance of our differences and diversity;our differences and diversity;

(2) Tell people how they should think, feel or act when human differences collide;

(3) Or provide solutions to our moral dilemmas.

It is simply a reminder that, in It is simply a reminder that, in addition to our differences, we addition to our differences, we humans are informed by, and rely humans are informed by, and rely upon, a vast range of shared upon, a vast range of shared experiences, characteristics, concerns, experiences, characteristics, concerns, desires, etc.desires, etc.It is our common bond!

This is true no matter who we are, where we live, or how pronounced our differences may be.

Why does the Companion Flag Why does the Companion Flag look the way it does?look the way it does?

Because white is used in 70% of the world’s national flags. . .For example, why is it white on the bottom?

. . .and in the USA, for example, white appears in nearly 80% of state flags.

White was chosen for visual compatibility, and to avoid clashing.

And the stripe color?

Uzbekistan

The stripe color matches any color in the host flag in order to:

(1) Visually reinforce the companionship of the two flags; and,

(2) Remind us always of the need to embrace and honor our differences and our “samenesses” at the same time.

The Companion Flag has been adopted The Companion Flag has been adopted by schools, universities, businesses, by schools, universities, businesses, organizations and individuals in over organizations and individuals in over 13 countries. . .13 countries. . .

Where is the Companion Flag flying?

. . .and counting. . .and counting

CanadaCanada

USAUSA

AustraliaAustralia

Costa RicaCosta Rica

PeruPeru

MaltaMalta

FranceFrance

NigeriaNigeria

JapanJapan

IndiaIndia

UzbekistanUzbekistan

KenyaKenya

New ZealandNew Zealand

South AfricaSouth Africa

How does a school adopt the Companion?

1. Step One: Get the approval of your school principal or director. Explain the Companion Flag to her, and ask her to agree to adopt the Companion Flag and display it at school.

2. Step Two: Plan how you are going to make sure all students and faculty know what the Companion Flag is, why it’s important, and why the school is adopting it.

3. Step Three: Acquire a Companion Flag and an interpretive sign for your school.

Four Steps

4. Step Four: Schedule and hold a Companion Flag adoption/flag-raising ceremony at school. Post the interpretive sign near the flag pole where it can be seen by all students and visitors.

Four Steps (cont.)

Note: You may find this PowerPoint presentation useful for completing Steps 1, 2 and 4!

Companion Flag Support International (CFSI) is also happy to help. . .with advice, ideas, speakers, lesson plans and other resources.

Note: CFSI is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington. Its vision is to see the Companion Flag flying as a matter of course with all flags everywhere.

CFSI does not manufacture or sell Companion Flags. We leave that to flag shops.

However, we do help people order them! We’d be happy to help your school acquire a Companion Flag and interpretive sign!

How much does a Companion Flag and interpretive sign cost?

CFSI orders flags and interpretive signs from vendors, and we pass along our cost to you. Currently (2006) the following prices apply (excluding tax and shipping):

3’ x 5’ Companion Flag $17.00

4’ x 6’ Companion Flag $24.00

5’ x 8’ Companion Flag $32.00

Companion Flag Interpretive Sign $15.00

We hope your school will be the world’s next Companion Flag School!

The Companion Flag

A Symbol of All That Human BeingsHave in Common

And we leave you with this And we leave you with this question. . .question. . .

If someday people on every continent grew up surrounded by symbols that encouraged them to honor both their differences and all that human beings have in common. . .

. . .how might their world be different from ours?

Thank you.Thank you.

Contact information*

Companion Flag Support International 10115 Greenwood Ave. N., #142

Seattle, WA 98133USA

* Mr. Scott Wyatt, PresidentTelephone: 206-297-0102

E-mail: swyatt@companionflag.orgWeb site: www.companionflag.org

Contact information*

Companion Flag Support International 10115 Greenwood Ave. N., #142

Seattle, WA 98133USA

* Mr. Scott Wyatt, PresidentTelephone: 206-297-0102

E-mail: swyatt@companionflag.orgWeb site: www.companionflag.org