Read the executive report here.
Hon. Leopoldo N. Bataoil, congressman, House of Representatives, Philippines - Hon. Bataoil was very touched and inspired by the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday, as it was his first time attending our ILC. The National Assembly program was a memorable moment for him. Also he felt nostalgic about the Peace Road program due to the fact that it concerned the defense of democracy. Finally, the Little Angels and Universal Ballet concert was the best moment, and he shed tears of joy. He thanks South Korea and the Moon family!
Mr. Akhtar Ali, mayor, Nasinu Town Council, Fiji - The experience at the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was remarkable for him and motivated him to know more about Father Moon and his history. Also the ILC conference sessions were spectacular. He was delighted because the program was well organized and meticulously executed. For him, the National Assembly program was fantastic and the Peace Road program was remarkable. The final Little Angels and Universal Ballet performance was outstanding.
Hon. Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar, parliamentarian, Malaysia - At the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday, he really enjoyed the musical “Butterfly.” He was satisfied with most of the ILC conference sessions. The Peace Road program and Little Angels and Universal Ballet concert were very impressive.
Hon. Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, deputy chair, Senate, Pakistan - The celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was excellent. The ILC conference sessions were very refreshing for him. The National Assembly program was fruitful, just listening to parliamentarians’ experience. Despite the freezing cold, the Peace Road program conveyed a good message to the international community for peace. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet performance was excellent.
Hon. Khadga B. Basyal, parliamentarian, Legislature Parliament, Nepal - The celebration of the Founders' Birthday was impressive and meaningful for him. The ILC conference sessions were appropriate and informative. Also, the National Assembly program and the Peace Road program were productive and helpful for bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula. Finally, the Little Angels and Universal Ballet program was encouraging and wonderful.
Mr. Binod Paudel, secretary general, UPF, Pakistan – The celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was amazing since all humankind was celebrating the Founders together, beyond religion and nationality. He thought that the ILC conference sessions worked as a bridge to the new world and peace. Also the National Assembly program worked as a new beginning for world peace and unification. The Peace Road program functioned as a new beginning for North and South Korea’s reunification. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet performance gave him a chance to thank the Founders.
Zodji Augustin, Congo-Brazzaville - At the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday, he felt Mother Moon’s determination to continue the mission of Father Moon. Also he appreciated the panels of the ILC conference sessions, as they were concerned about the family; he would like to share the contents with the UPF chapter in Congo. He thought that the National Assembly program was a good initiative for the UPF. The Peace Road program made him sad, that a nation was divided like this. But at the same time he got hope from the fact that UPF, FFWPU and the rest of the world can overcome this division and bring peace to Korea. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were fantastic.
Hon. Fozie Yeo, assemblyman, National Assembly, Cote d'Ivoire – Hon. Fozie was deeply touched by the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday. The ILC conference sessions were very interesting. The National Assembly program was great, and he desired to have time to exchange ideas with the Korean assemblymen. The Peace Road program was emotionally rich even though the weather was cold.
Hon. Leonce S. Sanon, assemblyman, National Assembly, Burkina Faso - The celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was wonderful, as it was his first time attending it. He appreciated the celebration and would like to participate next year as well. The ILC conference sessions and National Assembly program were fantastic. The Peace Road program was worthy of praise, and the Little Angels and Universal Ballet were fantastic.
Hon. Lester Paye, congressman, House of Representatives, Liberia - The experience at the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was great and inspiring. He thought that this kind of event would unite us forever. The ILC conference sessions were great, especially the session on “Overcoming Extremism.” The National Assembly program was well planned, and the presence of the speakers and the members of ILC added a concept of unity in diversity. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were the best moment for him.
Hon. Angie D. Kaliati, assemblyman, Malawi - His experience at the celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was so colorful. To him, it felt as though Rev. Moon was still alive because his vision was still strong. The ILC conference sessions made him think that Ambassadors of Peace should join together to fulfill Father Moon’s vision. While participating in the National Assembly program, he thought that the future is in the hands of the youth. At the Peace Road program the weather was cold but he could feel that the South Korean people are really anxious for peace in their region. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet astonished him by the fact that these young girls performed so well.
Mr. Syed Twaha Hussain, telecom and solar energy expert, Teller Communication, Pakistan - He mentioned that having ILC conference sessions was a great effort to get together for the peace process. After attending the National Assembly program, he felt that the Republic of Korea should include other nations in the discussion about unification and that the United Nations should establish a fifth office in Korea. He warned that the unification should not be limited to North and South Korea. The Peace Road program demonstrated a great effort of South Koreans to unite with their brothers in North Korea. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were the most amazing experience in his life. May Allah bless Korea and the world!
Hon. Lilian Timveos, senator, Zimbabwe - The ILC conference sessions were beautiful, and she was challenged as a member of Parliament to lead by example and be a good person. She was reminded that to be the change, she must start with the woman in the mirror. The National Assembly program made her feel that she was privileged to be a part of something great like the formation of Parliamentarians for Peace. The Peace Road program made her feel enlightened about the North Korean plight. She will pray for unification. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were so beautiful, it felt as if she was in heaven on earth. She sincerely thanked the Moon family and Korea in general for this opportunity.
Mr. Clement Tsana, secretary general, UPF, Congo - The celebration of the Founders’ Birthday was an excellent moment to know who Rev. Moon is and how he represents our world. The ILC conference sessions brought out many emotions. The National Assembly program made him think that Korean authorities need peace and that the appropriate way is through voting. The signing of the resolution is the urgent need of all people. The Peace Road program helps people to create a peaceful world, and that brings hope everywhere.
Hon. Stephen J.H. Zargo, senator, Liberia - The ILC conference sessions were a feast for minds on a common search for world peace, especially in the Korean Peninsula. The National Assembly program emphasized what parliamentarians can do in search of peace. The Peace Road program reminded him that the two Koreas are still officially at war.
Mr. Iftikhar Mughal, personal secretary to Hon. Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, deputy chair of the Senate, Pakistan - He wishes that God may shower His blessings on Father and Mother Moon. The ILC conference sessions gave him an abundance of information about the many efforts for peace. The National Assembly program was excellent, and so was the Peace Road program. Heavenly countries should not fight with each other.
Hon. Edward Dagoseh, senator, Liberia - The ILC conference sessions made him interested in choosing peace and unity as the solution for the whole world. The National Assembly program was well organized. The Peace Road program caused him to think that although there are many colors in the world, we are one people calling for the unification of Korea.
Ambassador Dr. Walther Lichem, president, IPS (InterPressService), Austria - The celebration of the Founders’ Birthday gave him a deep message that Father Moon gave his life for humankind. The ILC conference sessions were excellent, extraordinary and well organized. The National Assembly program called for more efforts to reach out to parliamentarians and political parties. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet performance was the most extraordinary time of his life.
Mrs. Liubov Shishova, president, Foundation for Promoting the Restoration and Building of Orthodox Churches and Monasteries, Russia - The topics at the ILC conference sessions were intelligent and important. The National Assembly program was crucial because we are launching a Parliamentarian Association for Peace. The Peace Road program gave her new insights on how she could change the world by bicycling. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were excellent and brilliant.
Dr. Raphael Oko, secretary general, UPF, Nigeria - It was inspiring to see the emergence of the new era. The ILC conference sessions were very educational, and the featured speakers had vast and deep experiences which made the sessions great. The National Assembly program was a great program as an initiative, since it is expected to bring together parliamentarians in order to make the world peaceful. The program was well organized and rich in context. Rev. Moon is truly the greatest visionary who ever appeared on earth. The Little Angels and Universal Ballet were heavenly angels on earth. They are a demonstration of the perfection of self, and concrete evidence that Father Moon is a man of words and actions.
Hon. Damian Diamonds Mumvuri, senator, Zimbabwe - The ILC was well organized and emphasized the teachings of the late Father Moon and the devotion of Mrs. Moon to carry on. The wide-ranging topics discussed were relevant to the peaceful existence of the global community. There is a need for immediate follow-up after the launch. The experience in other countries, such as the United States, should make a strategy and come up with a structure for the Parliamentarian Association. This initiative serves its purpose to attempt to unite the two Koreas. However, other regions should receive similar attention. That was marvelous.
Hon. Armando Villamayor, board member, Rizal Provincial Government, Philippines - I am very lucky to be a part of that historic occasion and hear Mrs. Moon’s personal message. The performances were very entertaining, and the dances and plays were well choreographed. It was an honor to be a part of the launching of the Parliamentarian Ambassadors for Peace. The messages of the speakers were very encouraging and full of hope. I hope that the message will reach the attention of all concerned and that the unification of the two Koreas will be realized soon.
Reflection from the Greater Chinese Region, collected by UPF Secretary General Mr. Tuo-Huan Chen - The participants from China feel that the UPF peace movement has a huge foundation worldwide. Mr. Jing Qiang, who participated last time, has a positive image of the UPF. Professor Li Jia-Zeng participated in the Cross Strait meeting (between Mainland China and Taiwan) which was sponsored by UPF last September in Taipei. He really wants to learn more about our organization. Ms. Xu Pei-Hong can offer 12 books about Sun Tzu’s The Art of War representing the Sun Tzu Research Association. She is very happy, and other delegates from China were also very happy and feel more connected with Father and Mother Moon. Since Sun Tzu’s ideology is preventing war by Dao (道), by negotiation, they feel it’s very similar to UPF’s values.
Ms. Farah Minendra Kothare, Healthspace Integrative Medical Centre, New Zealand - As soon as we arrived in the Cheongpyeong area, I felt a deep sense of peacefulness. I can understand why Father Moon chose this location. I felt a warmth and tranquility in my heart.
Dr. Mohan Gautam, European University of West Indies, Netherlands - Mother Moon is carrying on the legacy of Father Moon with enormous dignity and respect. She displays a keen intellect and a mother’s heart to take care of the world.
Ms. Irene Oloo, League of Women Voters, Kenya - The Cheongshim Peace World Center is amazing. I’ve never seen a more beautiful place, and it’s dedicated to the world. Dr. Moon is to be congratulated for the kindness and altruism that she and her husband have displayed.