Megaconference,  World Togetherness,  and the Flag of Earth:

Each year the Megaconference has had a theme related to promoting world togetherness, and breaking down barriers. This has worked well, but we have not had an easily recognizable symbol that we could all identify with and proudly show to everyone. There IS such a symbol, and it is the Flag of Earth. This flag was created by James Cadle in 1970, to be used for ANY purpose that is representative of Earth as a whole. That includes not just the physical planet, but the ecosystem, humanity, science, space exploration, etc. But not related to any individual, organization or country. There are no rules for flying it. He made it his life’s work to promote this Flag, and it has been used for many purposes. It has been widely used at astronomical observatories that are associated with the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, since that research is an activity on behalf of all Humankind, reaching out to whomever else might share our universe. If you Google on “Flag of Earth”, you will find many interesting references. The colors of the Flag are yellow for the Sun, blue for the Earth, white for the Moon, and black for the emptiness of Space. It is a very simple design. It might even be understandable to someone not from the earth.

James and his wife made these flags themselves on the kitchen table on their farm in rural Illinois, USA, and sold them for what it cost to make them. Sadly, James passed away in 2004, and his family elected not to carry on the distribution of the Flag. It has been unavailable since then. However, the North American Astrophysical Observatory research group has now taken up this cause, and has received the blessing and support of the Cadle family to do so. The Flag of Earth is now available once again to everyone who wishes to have one. Cloth flags are being sold on a non-profit basis, and they are also available for free download to anyone who would like to print one for themselves on paper. James Cadle placed the Flag in the public domain before he passed away, so anyone is free to make their own Flag.

The Flag of Earth is now the official symbol of the Megaconference, and everyone is urged to obtain a flag and display it prominently at their location during the Megaconference, and we will all wave our flags in the Grande Finale.

The Flag of Earth may be obtained at http://www.flagofearth.net