Companion Flag Adoption Ceremony

Mann Public SchoolNew Delhi, IndiaOctober 20, 2005

TheThe Companion Companion FlagFlag

An Introduction

Presented by:Presented by:

Companion Flag Support Companion Flag Support InternationalInternational

Visit us at www.companionflag.org

A 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organizationSeattle, WA USA

What is the Companion Flag?

Why would you, your organization or business want to fly it? What does it do?

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

What it doesn’t do.

Why it looks the way it does?

Where is it flying today?

How does an individual, organiza-tion or business adopt 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, their differences notwith-common, their differences notwith-standing.standing.

What is the Companion Flag?

It is 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

Together, the Companion Flag and its host flag signify:

Here we are proud of our differences, diversity, and special affiliations; but we

are mindful, too, of our essential humanity and all that we share in common with people everywhere.

The message is the same wherever the Companion Flag is flown. . .

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

In most cases, an interpretive sign is In most cases, an interpretive sign is posted within sight of the flag.posted within sight of the flag.

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

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. . .

We humans 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 to display the Companion Flag? What does it do?

Flying the Companion Flag allows us, for the first time, to actively Flying the Companion Flag allows us, for the first time, to actively honor both our differences and separation from other human beings honor both our differences and separation from other human beings (represented by the host flag), and all that we share in common with (represented by the host flag), and all that we share in common with people everywhere (the Companion Flag). It symbolizes a new way people everywhere (the Companion Flag). It symbolizes a new way for people to see each other.for people to see each other.

Flying the Companion Flag will:

Reinforce each person’s capacity to recognize the Reinforce each person’s capacity to recognize the essential dignity in other people, regardless of their essential dignity in other people, regardless of their differences.differences.

Reduce incidents of alienation, marginalization and Reduce incidents of alienation, marginalization and violence in the broader community.violence in the broader community.

Foster a new sense of personal and inter-personal Foster a new sense of personal and inter-personal connection, not only for you, but for your loved ones, connection, not only for you, but for your loved ones, neighbors, customers, employees, etc.neighbors, customers, employees, etc.

It will also:

Reduce tensions between those in the community who Reduce tensions between those in the community who affiliate exclusively on the basis of differences – e.g., affiliate exclusively on the basis of differences – e.g., ethnicity, cultural background, wealth, etc. And. . .ethnicity, cultural background, wealth, etc. And. . .

Make those associated with you, your organization or Make those associated with you, your organization or business proud of the part they are playing in a new business proud of the part they are playing in a new and historic movement to adopt the world’s first-ever and historic movement to adopt the world’s first-ever symbol of human inter-connectedness!symbol of 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, it seems, 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 our diversity, they are saying: acknowledge and celebrate what we 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 the world over Young people the world over understand that honoring what we have understand that honoring what we have in common (notwithstanding our in common (notwithstanding our differences) is important because it –differences) 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 all peopleunderscores the essential dignity of all people

Do the symbols you currently use promote both: (i) an appreciation for our differences 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; or,

(3) 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.

This is our common bond!

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?

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

And the stripe color?

Uzbekistan

The stripe color matches any color found 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 ‘all that we have in common’ at the same time.

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

IsraelIsrael

South AfricaSouth Africa

How does a business or organization adopt the Companion Flag?

1. Step One: Obtain the approval of your executive board, business or building owner, property manager, etc. Explain the Companion Flag to them, and ask them to adopt it.*

2. Step Two: Think of a way to inform your members, employees, tenants, neighbors and visitors about the Companion Flag: what it is, what it stands for, why it’s important, etc.*

3. Step Three: Acquire the needed Companion Flag(s) and interpretive sign.

Four Steps

4. Step Four: If you are an organization or business, schedule and hold a formal or informal Companion Flag adoption/flag-raising ceremony or event. Post an interpretive sign near (or within sight of) the flag pole, so that it can be seen by visitors to your home, building or business.*

Four Steps (cont.)

* 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, 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 you, your business or organization acquire one or more Companion Flags and interpretive signs!

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 (USD) $17.00

4’ x 6’ Companion Flag $24.00

5’ x 8’ Companion Flag $32.00

Companion Flag Interpretive Sign $15.00

We hope you, your organization or business will be the next to adopt the Companion Flag!

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 children on every continent were to grow 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