Lester B. Pearson Garden for Peace and Understanding

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The Lester B. Pearson Garden for Peace and Understanding, designed by noted landscape architect Paul Ehnes, provides an oasis of tranquillity commemorating Pearson's life, work, and contribution to world peace. It is a quiet but eloquent statement of peace and understanding and a representation of what Pearson, Canada's only recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, believed to be the mission of the university.

From a veil of rapidly flowing water to pearls of mist, this garden uses water in all of its states to illustrate the process of education, which is essential for peace. As you enter this peaceful space, your attention is first drawn to the waterfall, which symbolizes the troubled state of humankind. The water cascades down to a pool whose calm surface reflects the sky, higher thoughts and the inspiration we all require to pursue a course of higher education, of thought and maturation which are prerequisites of peace. Students are able to look out on the waterfall and garden from the Mary Mounfield student lounge in the Pratt Library.

The Lester B. Pearson Garden for Peace and Understanding was created to honour one of Victoria University's most distinguished graduates, former Prime Minister of Canada, Chancellor of our University, and former Don of the men’s residences- Lester Bowles Pearson, Vic 1T9. The garden was created to recognize the gifts made to Victoria University during its Campaign for the Dedicated Mind. Donors have their names inscribed on the rail over looking the garden. The garden is already being acknowledged as one of the most distinctive commemorative sites of its kind anywhere.

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Last updated: September 4, 2015