I believe that mother earth and all the species on it are hurting, and that we are all here for a greater purpose; we have no choice but to work together for peace and the environment.

Julia Morton-Marr teaches children how to be citizens of the world. With an understanding that peace, justice, and the environment cannot be taught separately, Julia has developed curricula adopted in 3500 schools in 34 countries. In 1993, Julia founded the International Holistic Tourism Education Center and the International School of Peace Gardens. An array of topics–from conflict resolution and cultural understanding to geography and performing arts–are based on the three pillars of human sustainability: ecological integrity, social peace, and individual rights and responsibilities.

When disabilities resulting from a spinal fusion forced Julia out of teaching in a "four-walled" classroom in 1983, she continued her life's work in nontraditional ways. Growing up in South Africa and Sri Lanka, and teaching and learning in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, Julia has a wide-angle view of the world. Her web-based education programs work in almost any environment, including public schools, prisons, and universities. In 1993, she joined with the children at St. Peter's Church in Erindale Mississaugo, Ontario, to celebrate the creation of the International School of Peace Gardens by planting its first peace tree. Children around the world have been planting trees ever since. Projects include a food security program in Ghana, conflict resolution peacetree plantings in Kenya, reforestation in Haiti, and establishing 2000 peace gardens in Hawaii. Her projects encourage community service, the use of solar and wind energy, and learning in biologically diverse land laboratories. Her quiet work is nonpartisan, and her goals are to help people think for themselves. Her teaching inspires adults as well as children. Because of her advocacy, the Australian government initiated a walking trail and management plan to protect the water supply at the mouth of the River Murray. Julia launched the Marine Peace Parks project in Puerto Moreles, Quintana Ro, Mexico, and created the Creature Corridors at the First National Canada Trails Conference. She chaired the United Nations environment committee and serves on its advisory board, as well as serving on advisory boards for the Research Center for Global Governance in Brazil, the Voice of Women in Canada, and the Women's Peace Melody, which works with women and children in Burundi and Rwanda.

International Holistic Tourism Education Center (Ihtec) International School of Peace Gardens Science for Peace