The 17th Annual Walk For Values was held in Toronto, Canada on Sunday May 26, 2019 in the heart of the city at Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto City Hall. Under a beautiful blue sky, the opening ceremonies commenced at 10 am with the Canadian National Anthem and the Walk For Values Anthem to a crowd of over 2000 participants standing together in unity to spread the message of the five Human Values of Love, Peace, Truth, Right Conduct, and Non-Violence. The walk called upon fellow Torontonians to share their vision of a world where all are unified by human values.

Organized by the Public Outreach Committee of SSIO Canada and the Parent Council of the Sathya Sai School of Canada, the students, parents, and supporters were graced by the presences of several esteemed dignitaries. The honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Parliamentary Secretary, Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism and Member of Parliament from Scarborough - Rouge Park opened the 17th Walk for Values reading Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s message to spread love and peace in our communities.

The 3-km Toronto Walk for Values weaves through several blocks in downtown Toronto; the most diverse city in the world and fourth largest in North America. The walk was fun-filled, with a parade of colourful floats, bands, and values songs, with people walking under the values banners of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, Love and Nonviolence. The parade was followed by Protect the Planet items, food stalls and carnival games for children. This public outreach project was initiated in Toronto and today the Walk is held around the World in over 45 Cities helping to raise the awareness of one of Bhagawan’s primary tenets. One of the unique characteristics of the Walk are the presences of children, as they show promise of becoming the value-driven and principled leaders for the world’s future. They have the moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in their fellow human beings as they are the receptacles of change the world needs. SSIO Canada is committed to continue to build upon our current successes to make the Walk the central platform for future public outreach projects.