Choosing the New 7 Wonders of Nature

Jerusalem so far not among cities competing to become symbol for peaceful global dialogue.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jerusalem 88 (photo credit: )
Jerusalem 88
(photo credit: )
The New7Wonders campaign is calling on people worldwide to crown seven cities as "symbols for peaceful global dialogue." The gala ceremony, the culmination of the second online election in which more than one billion votes are expected, will be the biggest global event of 2011, it said in a press statement issued in Zurich last week. On the www.n7w.com homepage, New7Wonders, members and fans can support a city already in the race - or nominate a new one. "As with all N7W campaigns, this vote empowers world citizens of all colors, creeds and classes through direct democracy, allowing them to shape an important world event and share in a peaceful, global initiative," the statement said. "The campaign, following the groundbreaking election of the Official New 7 Wonders of the World declared in 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, represents another milestone in global participatory democracy." Cities already proposed include Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Beirut, Cape Town, Doha, Dublin, Geneva, Hanoi, Montreal, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas, Lima, Macao, Manila, Monterrey, Montevideo, Puerto Rico, Quebec, Rio de Janeiro, St. Petersburg, Santiago, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sofia, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo and Warsaw. So far, no Israeli city has been put forward - not even Jerusalem. Currently, 222 countries, including Israel, are participating in the New7Wonders of Nature campaign. The criteria include a desire to represent global unity and the ability to host a huge international event. The choice of "official host" for the declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be based on the following, according to the campaign: n Ability and desire to showcase the greatest event in 2011; n Political and strategic ambition to be at the center of the world; n As with any other major event, standard license and contract terms and conditions; n The passion and interest of the people, the national decision-makers and the media.