A bit of Bermuda will become part of the Peace Monument in Brazil on World Environment Day next year.

A canister of pink sand was sent out Saturday to be emptied into the monument on June 5, along with other sand or soil from countries around the world.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bermuda are joining together with the National Spiritual Assembly of Brazil and the Baha'i International Community Office of the Environment along in remembrance of the Earth Summit and the 1992 Global Forum.

Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bermuda Ms Valerie Richmond said the Peace Monument was created "as an enduring symbol of the new spirit of global co-operation which characterised the Earth Summit and the 92 Global Forum.

"As part of the closing ceremonies of these twin historic events, soil from 40 nations was deposited into the five-metre-high hourglass-shaped concrete and ceramic monument,'' Ms Richmond said.

The Peace Monument is located at a very prominent venue and has already become a well-known landmark.

Last year in commemoration of the first anniversary of the Earth Summit on World Environment Day soils from 15 additional nations were deposited in the monument. This year 13 more soils were added.

Ms Richmond added that the NSABB chose to send sand instead of soil because "pink sand is unique to Bermuda.'' Soils from additional countries will be added each year in an official ceremony until the time when all the world's countries will have contributed to the monument.

The names of each additional country will be engraved in the granite plaque at the monuments base.

Minister of the Environment the Hon. Gerald Simons said he was pleased to be a part of this project.

"The Peace Monument recognises the unity of mankind,'' he said.

SENDING SAND -- Minister of the Environment the Hon. Gerald Simons, local Baha'i chairman Ms Valerie Richmond, and the sand.