Panama City, Panama—The Panama chapter of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) was launched at the Clarion Victoria Hotel in Panama City, the country’s capital, on October 26, 2017. The theme of the event was “The Role of Parliamentarians in Creating a Culture of Peace.”

Among the attendees were Mrs. Nelly Cedeño de Paredes, a magistrate of the Higher Family Court; Dr. Harley Mitchell Dale, a former magistrate; Hon. Zulphy Santamaría, vice minister of the Ministry of Labor and Work Development; Hon. Raisa Banfield, vice mayor of Panama City; parliamentarians representing different political parties; a representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry; civil society, religious and youth leaders; and educators.

The program, which was emceed by Mr. Josip de Lora Jeannette, featured a panel of speakers, including:

• Shihan Fabio Pérez, president of UPF-Panama
• Sang Suek Kim, regional chair of UPF-Latin America
• José Alfaro Jiménez, former president and vice president of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, a current member of the Legislative Assembly and president of the IAPP-Central America and the Caribbean
• Nelly Cedeñode Paredes, a magistrate of the Higher Family Court
• Dalia Mirna Bernal Yañez, a member of the Congress of Panama
• Charles Yang, president of UPF-Central America and the Caribbean
• Ana G. Rosas de Vallarino, head of the Secretariat of Women of the Democratic Change Party

Mrs. de Paredes spoke on the topic, “What is the role of Leaders, Families and Young people?” She said: “Political, religious and NGO leaders play a very important role…within their environment….We can learn [about] situations when [we] gather together and get the support of the Supreme Being, God. It is there, where the three pillars: political, family and youth leaders can be strengthened to achieve the sustainable growth of the family and society.”

In her remarks, Mrs. de Vallarino said: “I want to…thank all of you for your participation in this great event, as leaders who are committed to living a purposeful life in which our legacy is the seed that germinates from our family and that…live[s] for the benefit of all.”

Dr. Yang spoke about the background and purpose of the IAPP; changing society through leadership; the importance of congressmen and congresswomen; and the vision for peace of UPF founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.

After the panel session, new Ambassadors for Peace and members of IAPP-Panama’s committee were appointed. Among those who were appointed to the committee were Hon. Yañez; Hon. Marylin Vallarino de Selhorn, a member of the Congress of Panama; and Hon. Larissa Nuñez, a member of the Youth Congress, Panama.

The event concluded with all the parliamentarians signing the resolution launching the IAPP-Panama.