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Think Tank 2022
Friday, December 10, 2010
Highlights of 2010
Annual Report
UPF is pleased to present the 2010 Annual Report. 2010 was a year of growth and development for UPF, as this report clearly shows, and we look forward to even greater success in 2011 and beyond.
Among the highlights of this report are— The three "Abel UN" World Assemblies, Interfaith Assembly, Africa Day, UN Interfaith Council Consultations, UN International Day of Peace, UPF Chair's International Tour, Legacy of Peace Programs, and Service and Humanitarian Projects.
Download Powerpoint Report (45MB)
World Assembly, Spiritual and Moral Values
Korea. December 5, 2010
Amidst the high tension on Korean peninsula, the third and concluding "World Assembly 2010" was held Seoul, South Korea.
The international event was sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation and drew as many as 1,400 participants from 60 nations to its main program on December 4 at the Cheonbokgung, an interfaith temple in the Korean capital.
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World Assembly, Peace is Closer than You Think
New York. November 22, 2010
Despite the sudden outbreak of renewed hostilities between the two Koreas, UPF Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon has reiterated his firm belief that a new era of lasting peace is close at hand. His confident prediction came at the conclusion of the UPF World Assembly 2010.
"We are living in a historic time of great transition. It is a time for a great revolution to change history".
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World Assembly, Dawn of a New Era
New York. July 24, 2010
It was a day of song, prophecy, and proclamation, as the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, surrounded by thousands of people from around the world, made bold predictions at a festive gathering New York.
"All people will become one family through cross-cultural marriage and the World Peace Marriage Blessing, and we will enjoy tranquility and happiness in the sacred reign of peace."
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Interfaith Assembly
Korea. October 9, 2010
The UPF Interfaith Assembly opened in Seoul on October 9 at the Cheon Bok Gung, the Unification community's inspiring new sanctuary in the up-and-coming district of Yongsan.
Guests participated in a moving ceremony of prayers and readings from seven different faith traditions: Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Druze, Shinto, Christianity, and Buddhism.
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Middle East Peace Initiative
A Week for Peace in the Holy Land
Israel. August 24, 2010
This year saw the latest in the series of more than 40 Middle East Peace Initiative trips that began back in 2003, bringing together religious and community leaders from throughout the Holy Land and as far away as Europe, the United States and Korea.
At the conclusion, a "Rally for Substantial Peace" took place, following events held in Seoul and New York in July.
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United Nations International Day of Peace
Peace = Future
September 21, 2010
Across the globe, UPF chapters organized commemorations of the International Day of Peace with seminars, panel discussions, prayers from faith traditions, sports competitions, and intercultural celebrations.
This year the UN observance focused on youth and development, under the slogan: "Peace = Future."
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United Nations International Day of Families
Impact of Migration on Families Around the World
May 15, 2010
The United Nations International Day of Families is celebrated each May at the United Nations headquarters and around the world. The Universal Peace Federation joins in commemorating this day because it considers the family as a microcosm of the global community and because sustainable peace is grounded in the family as the most intimate social unit, the school of love.
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Africa Day
Peace and Security in Africa
New York. May 25, 2010
In a speech delivered at the New York City celebrations of Africa Day, hosted by the African Union in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that peace and sustainable development in Africa was one of the world body's top priorities.
Read More... | Africa Day website
A Legacy of Peace
New York. March 18, 2010
The Universal Peace Federation hosted a 'Legacy of Peace' program at the United Nations March 18 to honor the lives of Hédi Annabi, the UN Chief of Mission killed with 100 other UN personnel in the Haiti earthquake, and seven other prominent individuals associated with UPF who recently passed away and whose lives were dedicated to peace.
Read More... | More on Legacy of Peace Programs Worldwide
Find more reports from the chapters at the chapters page.
Week of Peace in N'Djamena, Chad
N'Djamena, Chad - September 21, 2010 - The Universal Peace Federation celebrated the Week of Peace and Security in Africa, September 13-21, together with government of Chad, the United Nations, and the African Union. The overall program was under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Chief of Government of Chad, H.E. Emmanuel Nadingar.Read More...
Student Peace Initiative Clubs Launched in Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone - December 20, 2010 - UPF-Sierra Leone launched Student Peace Initiative in nine leading secondary schools in the capital on December 11. The theme is "Developing Students to Realize Their Potential Through Character Education Series."This program drew the attention of the public, media, and NGOs. The decision came because of a national call by the President of Sierra Leone, H.E Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, for international NGOs and other partners in development to support his vision for attitudinal and behavioral change.
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Seminar on Religious Renewal and the Future of Islam in Sudan
Khartoum, Sudan - August 26, 2010 - A seminar was conducted in Sudan introducing a booklet written by Abdelmoumin Ahmed, former leader of UPF-Sudan. The booklet covers topics of religious freedom, religious coexistence, and religious renewal. It addresses serious issues within Islam regarding accepting new ideas, accepting others, and developing new understandings about religion.Read More...
Clergy Leadership Conferences Held in Lusaka
Lusaka, Zambia - November 25, 2010 - UPF-Zambia holds a one-day seminar for clergy each month. Participants in the interactive sessions include reverends, bishops, pastors, evangelists, and church leaders. The theme of the year 2010 is "Challenges of the Church in 21st Century." The clergy leadership conference on November 25 related to Biblical history and issues of leadership in the church, the community, and the nation.Read More...
Day of Peace in Harare, Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe - September 21, 2010 - The UPF Secretary General worked with the UN Information Center, Iranian Embassy Cultural Department, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, The Voice of Revival Ministry, and Fatima Zahra Women's Organization to organize a celebration of the UN International Day of Peace. Under the theme of Youth for Peace and Development, the main activity was a sports tournament in various disciplines among students of 12 schools. Prizes were given to students who had won in the tournament. The Minister of Education, Sport and Culture was the Guest of Honor.Read More...
Day of Peace in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina - September 21, 2010 – UPF-Argentina celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 21 with a musical, cultural, and interreligious event at the Peace Embassy in Buenos Aires. Prizes were also awarded in the poetry competition on the theme "Cultures: Values and Integration for Peace," organized in honor of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures declared by the United Nations.Read More...
Youth Renovate Buildings in Costa Rica
Tejarcillos, Costa Rica - July 19, 2010 - This year, the International Relief Friendship Foundation’s Service Tour took place in Tejarcillos, an impoverished community on the outskirts of Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose. We partnered with the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (www.faf.org) to plan the July 7-19 project – a renovation of the facilities of the Light for the Nations Foundation (Fundación Luz Para Las Naciones). Twenty participants from all over the US joined us on this project.Read More...
Ambassadors for Peace Tour to Guatemala
Guatemala City, Guatemala - July 23, 2010 - The Ambassadors for Peace Americas Tour 2010 to Guatemala was a seven-day service and fact-finding tour from July 17 to 23. The purpose of the tour was to foster cooperation and unity of the American hemisphere by building partnerships among Ambassadors for Peace from North and South America.Read More...
Summer Camp Enrichment in Haiti
Cache Cache Douge, Haiti - August 29, 2010 - Emerging from the rubble of the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti was a vision to offer a joy-filled, educationally creative, character building, memorable week to almost 90 Haitian girls ages 9-16. United Initiatives for Peace (UIP) in collaboration with Religious Youth Service (RYS) and The Haitian Academy in Cache Cache Douge, Haiti, took on this hugely ambitious challenge and transformed the lives of these young girls and equally the lives of the 14 volunteer staff, who generously offered their talents, artistic gifts, compassion and unconditional love.Read More...
Clean-up after Hurricane Tomas in St. Lucia
Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia - November 22, 2010 - Three days after the passage of Hurricane Tomas, 15 volunteers arrived in St. Lucia from the USA and Canada to do several service projects in the community.These volunteers had already planned to come and stay in Anse-la-Raye, a fishing village on the west coast of this Caribbean island, about 10 km south of the capital Castries. Little did they know that their presence would be doubly appreciated due to the damage caused by hurricane Tomas. Due to the cloudbursts of the hurricane, all rivers overflowed and left mud inside many houses and buildings.
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Africa Day Commemorated in Washington, DC
Washington, DC, United States - May 23, 2010 - In concert with UPF chapters all over the world, the UPF-Washington, DC chapter celebrated Africa Day two days prior to the May 25 celebration held in New York City. Mr. Taj Hamad, Secretary General of UPF International, greeted the guests in Washington, DC.Read More...
After Sixty Years, Time to Remember That "Freedom Is Not Free"
Washington, DC, United States - June 25, 2010 - As the blazing sun beat down from the June sky, an appreciative and at times self-reflective crowd gathered near the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC to remember and reflect on the outbreak of the Korean War 60 years ago, on June 26 1950. The Little Angels, the noted Korean Children’s Folk Ballet founded in 1962 by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, were the star attraction in a special program to honor the veterans from 16 nations who paid such a great price to defend freedom on the Korean peninsula.Read More...
Day of Families Celebrated in Kabul
Kabul, Afghanistan - May 14, 2010 - UPF celebrated the International Day of Families in Kabul on May 14 by reaching out to ten poor families in one of the many slums of the city. The purpose was to spread the culture of celebrating such important day and articulate the central role of the family in establishing a peaceful and harmonious society.Read More...
"Adopt a Monument" Project in Delhi
New Delhi, India - May 8, 2010 - As part of its Adopt-a-Monument cleaning campaign, young volunteers with UPF-India assembled on May 8 at the Qutab Minaret in New Delhi to pick up trash. At 72.5 meters (237.8 ft), the Qutab Minaret is the world's tallest brick minaret. Its construction was completed in 1386. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Delhi, and was also India's most visited monument in 2008. It attracted 3.9 million visitors, even more than the Taj Mahal, which drew about 2.5 million visitors.Read More...
Promoting Character Education in Jakarta
Jakarta, Indonesia - December 7, 2010 - In October, we resumed the UPF Character Education and Youth Leadership Programs in various schools and universities in the capital city of Indonesia. School principals and university faculty express an urgent need for such programs as drug abuse and premarital sex among Indonesia's young people is on the rise.Read More...
Day of Peace in Kanagawa, Japan
Tokyo, Japan - September 21, 2010 - UPF-Japan and the Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP) commemorated the International Day of Peace on September 19 by cleaning up the Wada-Nahama beach on the Miura peninsula of the Kanagawa prefecture. On last year’s International Day of Peace, the two organizations also co-hosted a cleanup project at the Wada-Nahama beach.Read More...
Honoring a Legacy of Peace in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - June 30, 2010 - Silent tears spoke of the unforgettable love and heartfelt affection of family members and close friends of all three "Malaysian icons" whose lives were celebrated at the Legacy of Peace program in Kuala Lumpur on June 30. Tan Sri Senator Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, used this honorific to express deepest respect and admiration to the Malaysians honored on the occasion: Ven. K. Dhammanada, Dato’ Razali bin Ismail, and Sri Sangaratna R. Thiagaraja. In addition, three international Ambassadors for Peace were honored.Read More...
Pakistani Flood Victims Receive Aid from UPF-Japan
Islamabad, Pakistan - November 30, 2010 - UPF-Japan volunteers delivered food and mattresses to victims of the July flooding in Pakistan. Junko Yamaguchi and Mori Yoko visited Pakistan November 26-30 to organize and pack supplies and then deliver them to families at a camp in the Nowshera district in central Pakistan.Food packs for 250 families contained 10 kilos of wheat flour, 3 kilos of rice, 2 kilos of lentils, 1 kilo of kidney beans, 1 kilo of vegetable oil, 2 kilos of spices, and 300 grams of tea. Woolen mattresses were also distributed.
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Conference in Baku on Peace in the Caucasus
Baku, Azerbaijan - September 27, 2010 - UPF held a conference in Baku on September 27 to review the peace process in the Caucasus and review the proposal for an interreligious council at the UN. Among the 60 participants were representatives from Parliament, the Human Rights Ombudsman's Office, NGOs and academic organizations of Azerbaijan, businessmen, and cultural workers.Read More...
Youth Play Football for Peace in Estonia
Parnu, Estonia - July 4, 2010 - As global attention focused on the FIFA World Cup in July, youth from six nations converged on Estonia for a tournament in the spirit of "Play Football Make Peace." Each year, more and more teams converge on the town of Pärnu on Estonia's Baltic coast to participate in its Summer Cup. This year was the eighth such tournament, and 96 teams competed for medals in various age groups.Read More...
Day of Peace in Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi, Georgia - September 20, 2010 - UPF-Georgia and the Association of Russian-Speaking Journalists of Georgia held a “Brain Ring” intellectual competition on September 20. The program was funded by the UN office in Georgia. High school and university students of different nationalities living in Georgia (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Assyria, Hebrew, Ossetia, Germany, Russia and Ukraine) took part in the event.Read More...
Prayer in Mongolia for Japanese Soldiers Who Died in World War II
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - September 8, 2010 - Eleven Shinto priests from Japan joined three Buddhist monks from the Gandantegchinlen Temple for a joint prayer ceremony on September 8 at the Japanese soldiers’ cemetery in Dambadarjaa. This was the first time that Shinto priests from Japan and Mongolian Buddhist monks offered joint prayers honoring soldiers who died during World War II.Read More...
Africa Day Commemorated in Moscow
Moscow, Russia - May 25, 2010 - UPF-Russia marked Africa Day in two programs on May 25. The Russian Academy of Sciences Institute of Africa, the highest academic source in Russia on Africa, invited UPF to make a presentation at its Africa Day conference, entitled “Africa Day – 50 years of Freedom.” Dmitry Oficerov, head of UPF-Russia's International Department, presented UPF's Statement on Africa Day on behalf of UPF President Dr. Thomas Walsh. The program was attended by 120 academic leaders and representatives of the African community.Read More...
UN Day of Tolerance Celebrated in Russia
Yekaterinburg - November 18, 2010 - Representatives of UPF-Urals took part in a round-table discussion on November 18 on “Living heart to heart as children of one home” initiated by the Sverdlovsk Regional International Library. The following issues were discussed: the pros and cons of school programs based on traditional religions; how to form an atmosphere of tolerance in schools, colleges, and universities; and methods of inspiring youth engagement in civil society.Read More...
Consultation in Vienna on an Interreligious Council at the UN
Vienna, Austria - December 8, 2010 - A conference on Interfaith, the United Nations and Peace in the 21st Century took place on December 8 in Vienna with a selected group of 50 participants. There was animated discussion about the purpose, nature, and basis for interreligious dialogue. As an introduction, Peter Haider read excerpts from Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s speech delivered in the UN building in New York in August 2000, where the establishment of an interreligious council at the UN was proposed for the first timeRead More...
Rapprochement of Cultures Promoted in Germany
Stuttgart, Germany - March 27, 2010 - UPF in Stuttgart, Germany, was inspired that the UN declared this year the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures and decided to dedicate its annual intercultural event to this motto. The UPF team in Stuttgart, being itself very international, invited friends, neighbors, and Ambassadors for Peace, asking all to contribute something to the gathering from their different cultures.Read More...
International Day of Non-violence, Iceland
Reykjavik, Iceland - October 2, 2010 - The International Day of Nonviolence, October 2, was like the eye of a hurricane that is raging through the Icelandic society. Increased taxes, strings tied by the International Monetary Fund, and huge individual debts of many house owners have led to huge violent demonstrations in front of the Icelandic parliament.Read More...
Day of Peace in Chisinau, Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova - September 22, 2010 - On the UN International Day of Peace, UPF-Moldova and its NGO partners organized presentations in schools and colleges on the theme “Youth for Peace and Development” as well as one conference. In collaboration with the Chisinau city Central District Administration, presentations were organized at the Polytechnical College on September 15, attended by 168 students, and at the Construction College on September 22, attended by 225 students.Read More...
Day of Peace in Oslo, Norway
Oslo, Norway - September 21, 2010 - Around 70 people attended the UN International Day of Peace celebration at the Islamic Cultural Center in Oslo. The theme of the day was "Peace, Future, Youth and Development." The three-hour seminar opened with an invocation by Imam Mehboob, reciting from the Qur'an, followed by words from the secretary general of the mosque about the important role of the UN in benefiting the people of the world.Read More...
San Marino Hosts World Peace Blessing
San Marino - January 23, 2010 - The 36th European Leadership Conference had as its theme ‘The Significance of Marriage and Family for Peace in the 21st Century’ and provided a path through which to unite Ambassadors for Peace from 17 nations and four major religious traditions in the World Peace Blessing held in San Marino’s little jewel of a national theatre January 23.Read More...
Book Release - 7/7 Bombing: Muslim Perspectives
London, United Kingdom - July 7, 2010 - The July 7, 2005 bombings in London affected British Muslims in an unprecedented way as questions about their loyalty, Britishness, and the nature of their belonging in our society created endless discussion, academic research, government interventions, and media speculation. In a book released on July 7, British Muslims offer reflections and condolences.Read More...
MEPI Hosts International Youth Leadership Group
Jerusalem, Israel - August 3, 2010 - Twenty young leaders ages 18 to 25 assembled in Jerusalem from Germany, Japan, Finland, Australia, Italy, Israel, Malta, Austria, Norway, Taiwan and the US to participate UPF's Middle East Peace Initiative's International Youth Leadership program. They arrived on July 26 to a warm welcome by the Israeli staff.Read More...
Day of Peace in Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem, Israel September 21, 2010 - A number of Israeli Ambassadors for Peace gathered together on the evening of September 21 in Jerusalem, including a few who have worked or still work in the Jerusalem Municipality. After sharing the speech for the day by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UPF Statement on the Day of Peace, we began a discussion reflecting on developments during the Middle East Peace InitiativeRead More...
Literacy Classes for Iraqis in Jordan
Sahab, Jordan - Feburary 24, 2010 - Young Iraqi men in Jordan want to be able to send messages back to their families, read messages from their families, read newspapers, and use computers. However, some are illiterate. A new project of the Women's Federation for World Peace in Jordan is teaching them to read and write Arabic.Read More...
Day of Peace in Sydney, Australia
Sydney, Australia - September 21, 2010 - A day-long celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peace was held in Martin Place in downtown Sydney on September 21. Many different community organizations and schools were involved, and a great deal of energy and goodwill was engendered, making it a most successful day.Read More...
Sixth Annual Living for Others Awards
Auburn, Australia - October 2, 2010 - The Sapphire Function Centre in Auburn, New South Wales, was the scene of the Universal Peace Federation’s sixth annual Living for Others Awards on October 2. Auburn, a suburb of Sydney, is known as Australia’s most racially diverse city with over 110 ethnic groups living there. This characteristic was in full display with 200 people from many ethnicities, cultures, and faiths in attendance.Read More...
Day of Peace in Majuro, Marshall Islands
Majuro, Marshall Islands - September 21, 2010 - UPF-Marshall Islands organized a celebration of the UN International Day of Peace with students at the College of the Marshall Islands on September 22. We shared about the history of the International Day of Peace and read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the statement by the Universal Peace Federation.Read More...
Day of Peace in the Honiara
Honiara, Solomon Islands - September 19, 2010 - Two days before the International Day of Peace, there was a special forum on the radio organized by Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in conjunction with Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, in which a UPF representative participated. Mr. Rex Masuaku, Secretary General of UPF-Solomon Islands, was invited to present UPF's view on "Youth for Peace and Development," the theme of the 2010 observance.Read More...