Buenos Aires, Argentina—UPF-Argentina celebrated its accomplishments of 2016 with a dinner, whose theme was, “Share, Recognize and Celebrate.” Also at the December 18 event, which was held at the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification-Argentina’s headquarters, several Ambassadors for Peace were recognized.
UPF members and guests viewed videos of several memorable events that took place during the year: the intercultural and interfaith event to celebrate Argentina’s bicentennial, “Solidarity and Peace Commitment,” which was held on July 12 at the Sala de Representantes (House of Representatives) room in the Manzana de las Luces (Illuminated Block); the performance of “United Nations for Peace” by an intercultural and interfaith chorus at UPF-Argentina’s celebration of the International Day of Peace at the National Library on September 21; and the chapter’s celebration of International Volunteer Day, “Let’s Say Together: Thank You!,” which was held on December 6 at the university, UdeMM. The sixth “Volunteering and Common Good” awards were given and UPF-Argentina along with Red Cooperar, a civil society network, signed the statement, “Commitment to Solidarity and Peace for the beginning of Argentina’s tercentennial, at the Volunteer Day celebration.
The following Ambassadors for Peace were recognized (1):
Prof. María Teresa Narváez: “For her work in service to others; for her willingness and enthusiasm to collaborate on different initiatives;…for raising awareness of UPF’s activities locally and internationally through her radio program, Relaciones Internacionales; and for her skills that help form and strengthen bonds between people.”
Mr. Carlos Hernández: “For his willingness to accept UPF-Argentina’s invitation to form an interfaith, intercultural choir, and for directing the musical programs of the International Day of Peace and the International Volunteer Day celebrations.”
Mr. Christian Hernán Oreb: “For upholding practices where mutual respect and dialogue prevail, as well as the value of the word, [which forms] the basis to develop trust, to overcome selfishness, and to orient towards the common good. For developing joint activities for the UPF and Red Cooperar, which he founded.
Also at this occasion, Mrs. Gabriela Abarzúa, a journalist and host of the radio program, Relaciones Internacionales (International Relations), who was recently appointed as an Ambassador for Peace, shared her experiences participating in the International Leadership Conference (ILC), held in Washington, D.C. from November 28 to December 1, 2016. She showed a PowerPoint presentation of photos from the event, where the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) was launched, and the laureates of the 2017 Sunhak Peace Prize were announced: Gino Strada, an Italian doctor, and Sakena Yacoobi, an Afghan teacher. Both figures have devoted their lives to helping the world’s refugees.
The year-end celebration also included poetry and music. The song,“Corazón de piedad filial,” was performed by a group of Japanese volunteers in Argentina. Ms. Brígida Zappietro, an Ambassador for Peace who supported UPF’s activities for many years and who passed away in 2016, was remembered.
A message written by an Ambassador for Peace to be shared at the occasion was read (2). At the end, all present shared a toast of good wishes, and a victory cake to celebrate UPF-Argentina’s 11th anniversary was cut.
A video of photos of the event can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBUbTsgyJh8
Quotes
(1) Content of the certificate:
“The fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace” – Teresa of Calcutta
“We only find joy when we live for the sake of others” – Sun Myung Moon
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” – Mahatma Gandhi
(2) Message from Alejandro Omer Rosales from San Clemente del Tuyú, Buenos Aires province:
“I greatly appreciate the invitation, but I cannot accept it this time. It would have been amazing to share this dinner with you, which contributes to unity. Unity is something you make possible… when we achieve [unity], we should appreciate it. And we should celebrate all together. I wish from the bottom of my heart that all your dreams come true.”
Mr. Rosales was recognized along with his wife, Nélida Dora Musso, for their 57 years of marriage during UPF-Argentina’s celebration of the International Day of Families 2016 in May.