ILC2021 The Americas: Session Reports

YouTube Playlist Link to all sessions, ILC Americas April 2021

Opening Plenary—Toward Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity, and Universal Values - Youtube link

Moderator: Dr. Ricardo de Sena, President Emeritus, UPF USA

Welcome Remarks:

Dr. Michael Jenkins, Regional Chair, UPF North America; President, UPF International, expressed gratitude to the regional chairs and secretary generals throughout the Americas and “everyone (who) helped us bring the expertise together for the purpose of discussing how to bring peace in Northeast Asia.”

Dr. Dongmo Shin, Regional Chair, UPF South America, recalled the historic meeting between the UPF co-founders and Kim Il Sung, founder of North Korea. The leaders met in December 1991, 30 years ago, to discuss ways to move toward unification of the peninsula. Dr. Shin emphasized that Rev. and Mrs. Moon applied the biblical principle to love one’s enemy and to put aside enmity for the sake of the greater good.

Dr. Chung Sik Yong, Regional President, Family Federation North America, reminded us that we are all part of the human family and must work together. The co-founders emphasized that all members of society have a role to play – government and civic leaders, teachers, health workers, etc., in building a peaceful society.

Video Presentation: Introduction to UPF

Opening Address:

Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Chairman, UPF International, outlined UPF’s global strategic vision and the package of programs that UPF is committed to. First, the Northeast Asia Peace Initiative (NEAPI), launched several years ago, has been expanded this year. The ongoing webinar series is a key feature of that initiative. Already over 120 webinars have been held globally this year. The second primary component is the ILC2021, organized by UPF’s regional offices. The third component is the Rally of Hope series, starting in 2018, which represents a call for global unity. Dr. Walsh explained that the 6^thRally of Hope, (May 8) will inaugurate Think Tank 2022. On the foundation of these components, expert working groups linked to the UPF associations, will be formed. Representatives of these expert working groups will visit stakeholder nations (USA, Japan, Russia, China, South and North Korea, key nations in the regions, and with nations that have diplomatic relations with both Koreas), and work to find ways to build bridges of trust and confidence that can lead to economic development and the promotion of reconciliation. All of these activities will lead up to a major world summit that will continue this theme of the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.

Greetings:

Dr. John Doolittle, U.S. House of Representatives, 1991–2009; Chair, IAPP North America, expressed gratitude to Archbishop Stallings and the prayerful missive that our purpose is to help build the kingdom of God on Earth. The scriptures are quite clear, “The lamb shall lie down with the lion and there shall be peace on Earth.” Hon. Doolittle said he is constantly impressed and inspired by the work of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. “I don't know of another organization that puts more emphasis on trying to bring people together.” 

Rev. Luonne Rouse, Co-Chairman, American Clergy Leadership Conference, extolled the significant role of the clergy and the important work to encourage global understanding. The faith leaders have the responsibility to respect all human life. It is through the power of true love that the world will come together. 

Hon. Carlos José Limongi Sterse, Judge, District of Anápolis; Coordinator, Children and Youth for the Interior, Goiás, Brazil, said forgiveness and reconciliation are key elements needed for the reunification of the two Koreas. Hon. Limongi referred to the inspiring examples of Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu of South Africa who affirmed the power of faith to overcome the many challenges in their lives. He thanked Mother Moon for the opportunity to work with UPF and its work to build bridges and connect the nations together as one family.

Hon. Paray Rushton Vijay, President, IAPP-Trinidad and Tobago, thanked Dr. Chang Shik Yang and UPF for the “steadfast dedication and unflinching activities to foster a world of peace, harmony, and prosperity." The need for the development of a single Korean sovereign state has never been more urgent and essential. Humanity is facing many dangers, including, the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and immigration. “It is imperative that the nations seek peace and unity and collaboration ... it is a moral responsibility to work for peace in the peninsula and the world.”

International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP)—Influence of the Americas on Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula - Youtube link

UPF has a global reach with current and former heads of state and high-level government officials. As the Korean War involved support of the world community, the Focus of Experts working group 2021 is global. UPF Founders Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon have invested in educating people globally in a God-based worldview.

The Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister of Canada, reminded us that South Korean progress continues despite threats from the North, that the contrast between North and South Korea is drastic, and that we must proceed with patience and persistence. He made the following points:

1. Genuinely desire peace but proceed with caution.
2. Judge North Korea not by words but by actions.
3. Engage with promises but recognize the possibility of threats.
4. China must be made accountable for its part in the problem.
5. We should not trust initiatives from Russia under Mr. Putin.
6. He told the assembly to stay close to allies, principally the United States and Japan.
7. He thanked UPF for its work for reconciliation in the world.

Ambassador Joseph De Trani is the most significant person in intelligence from the United States who still engages North Korean and Chinese officials regularly. As the former Special Envoy to the Six Party Talks, he gained great trust with North Korean and Chinese diplomats. He respects them individually as people, but he tells them very clearly where America stands but without anger or threats. He has direct relations with the whole Biden administration and has been on many Washington Times Fact Finder events. He believes Kim Jong-un wants to move away from China and be in relationship with the United States. Kim Jong-un wants prosperity and development for North Korea.

Ambassador De Trani believes that North Korea would commit to nuclear disarmament if there were to be full security and guarantees of no overthrow by the United States/Republic of Korea. He believes that the United States, China, Russia, Japan, North and South Korea should all talk.

• North Korean officials are committed to nuclear disarmament but are concerned about efforts for regime change.
• Some successes, many failures in making progress.
• Trump-Kim Summits
  • Some success.
  • North Korea won’t accept one-sided process. There has to be a process of small step-by-steps to bring peace progressively.
  • He referred to the Bretton Woods Conference after World War II where financial assistance was provided. Sanctions are hurting North Korea.
  • An Asia Investment Infrastructure Bank could and should help.
• Move toward a peace treaty: Give North Korea regime security assurance.
• Economic assistance should start the process toward peace.

Hon. John Fonseca, former Vice Minister of Foreign Trade for Costa Rica, made the following points: (1) Development has to be redefined – people need to be central in this; (2) Community well-being and social capital are most important as mutual well-being is realized through good relationships; and (3) we should learn from the past, but we should put our energy in the present, not dwelling on the past.

Dr. Chang Shik Yang said that UPF has been leading peace efforts with missions to Korea for decades. He spoke about the work of Reverend and Dr. Moon, who met Kim Il Sung and Gorbachev in the 1990s in search for peace. He also explained that the division of Korea was created by the Soviet Union and the United States very soon after the end of World War II, and lastly, about the painful history of Korean families divided by the border imposed on them from outside powers.

International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP)—With Courage and Vision, Building New Bridges and Opportunities for the Korean Peninsula - YouTube Link

Dr. Moonshik Kim of Canada, in his welcoming remarks, reminded participants that in order to bring the reunification of North and South Korea, it is essential to take into consideration the political relationships and interests of surrounding nations. That is why it is crucial to create the environment for superpower nations to support the reunification of the peninsula.

Hon. Dan Burton, IAPP Co-Chairman, announced IAPP’s plan to generate letters from members of parliament worldwide to support dialogue between Dr. Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, specifically calling on the Republic of Korea to support this as track-two diplomacy. As long as there is talking with North Korea, there is no fighting, even if the talks are frustrating and seem to produce little immediate result.

Hon. Burton concluded by saying, “The world needs a body of conscientious men and women of good faith who understand political processes in the real world. That body is the IAPP.” 

Hon. José Alfaro, IAPP Chairman for Central America and former Speaker of the Costa Rican Parliament, said the good news is that dozens of peace and charity organizations in the world, hundreds of voices in the United Nations, in Europe, Oceania, Africa, and America advocate and implore for the union of the Koreas. The two Koreas are brothers who long to see their relatives again, to be able to work together in technological development and to lay the foundations for mutual coexistence and social and economic development.

Hon. Humberto Benedetto, PARLASUR of Argentina, believes the reunification of Korea would be much more than a symbol for humanity, much more than the geopolitical impact that experts on the subject will surely highlight at this event. The reunification of Korea will tell the world that peace is possible.

Hon. Dr. Ricardo Acevedo Peralta, PARLACEN, gave the following suggestions:

1. International control over the development of the atomic industry for peaceful purposes in North Korea.
2. Complete military nuclear disarmament.
3. Social, economic and political integration under equal conditions, which includes the establishment of a single nationality, a single territory and a single central government.

In the Q&A session the speakers, especially those from Central America, felt that they had a lot of experience in overcoming division in their countries and their region and that it could be useful to meet again to discuss more and offer advice to the Koreas.

Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD)—Reuniting the Brothers: Toward Peace on the Korean Peninsula - YouTube Link

Archbishop George Augustus Stallings, Jr., Chairman of the International Association for Peace and Development (IAPD)-North America, opened the session as the moderator. Peace, he said, emanates from the mixture of justice and charity coexisting in proportionate measures. Respect for human dignity is a golden rule because everyone has been “created in the image and likeness of God” (Gen.1:26). Therefore, working for justice is a standard norm, and developmental progress is a stream flowing with peace. Respect for each other and for nations is an act of the will and not just a human act; everyone not only desires peace but actually wills and works for it. Peace should be the aim at all costs. Peace is possible. Reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula is possible.

Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the World Christian Leadership Conference (WCLC), said, “I appreciate the UPF focus with North and Central America at this conference. I am honored to be in this session talking of peace. It is world-breaking news to me. I fled from the North when the communists invaded. This UPF conference about the reunification of the Korean Peninsula is very special, as are leaders from North, South and Central America.

Today, he continued, “there is incredible suffering and disunity inf social, political, racial, religious arenas all around the world. In America, we are crying out for God’s help. Only 46% of Americans belong to a house of worship, the lowest ever recorded. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the founder of the WCLC, emphasizes the responsibility of religious leaders. We are called to uphold marriage and family. I am grateful we can focus on God-centered principles and answers. God bless you.”

Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan, National Chairman of the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity, said: “The quest for peace is the greatest core value of all religions. Islam is a religion of peace and unity. What is better than charity, fasting, and prayer? Keeping peace and good relations and avoiding hatred toward others. Hate leads to division; love leads to unity. Father Moon taught us that we are one human family under God. We are catalysts for peace, having moral authority and looked up to as an interreligious entity that will bring solutions and solve conflicts. This is especially true in Korea, with a 70-year rift.”

Dr. Khan’s suggestions:

1. Facilitate dialogue.
2. Demonstrate solidarity for those suffering.
3. Expect spiritual testing: True love requires sacrifice.
4. Find ways to work together.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Raj, Roman Catholic Priest, St. Michael Parish, St. Lucia, said: “Reuniting the brothers, Jesus said, at the Last Supper, ‘I give you my peace, which the world cannot give you.’ It is God who gives us peace. ‘Before offering your gifts, make peace with your brother.’

Wanting peace and working for peace are different, he observed It has been 70 years since the fratricidal war in Korea. Unification with the North is enshrined in the constitution of South Korea. On June 15, 2000, an agreement was reached to work toward unification, yet now the two Koreas have little in common. There has to be respect for human dignity. Peace is possible; reconciliation in Korea is possible. All nations have to work for peace. We have to not just pray but create situations for peace. Father Moon, in his autobiography, said “Peaceful families are the building block of peace. If we want peace in the world, there has to be love in our families.”

Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Founder, International Islamic Association of America; Imam, Islamic Society of Orange County, California, said: “In times of fasting, we turn to God. We need a spirit of love and respect. With so much conflict in the world, we are learning how much we are connected. There is only one creator. We are all from the same parents, all related as one human family. We need to protect life and honor all people, worship God and avoid evil.”

Dr, Siddiqi presented six points to build peace:

1. No intolerance; recognize the rights of others.
2. No false propaganda.
3. No domination or hegemony.
4. No exploitation or extortion.
5. No immoral behavior; emphasize honesty, good family values, open debate.
6. No violence; no nation has the right to have weapons of mass destruction.

Rev. Belina Wimbish-Haile, Senior Pastor, Ebenezer AME Church, Chesapeake City, Maryland, said:

In my role as a faith leader, I have a history of working with domestic violence situations where there is pain and lack of peace, striving to rebuild the family and bring peace between men and women. We need peace at all levels and peace with God. True peace begets peace. As children of God, we need to find peace. Despite not having the ideal, we need to keep seeking. This will help:

1. Share understanding.
2. See each other through God’s eyes.
3. Call all to wholeness with true unification of the heart.
4. Neutralize threats of others through unity.
5. Reimagine the peace of God.
6. Present true peace to others.

As Mother Moon says in her memoir, ‘My lifelong goal is to fulfill the dream of God, to build Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community, One Family Under God.”

Rabbi Idan Scher, Congregation Machzikei Hadas, Ottawa, Canada, said:

In the Book of Numbers, the most dangerous challenge to Moses was that he found himself unbearably provoked. The lesson is, in Judaism, conflict resolution is not by force, but by pleasantness and peace. The person who is strong is the one who turns an enemy into a friend. Forgiveness leads to reconciliation; reconciliation leads to friendship. In friendship, instead of fighting one another, we can fight together the problems we share. I am a Jew. For centuries, Jews knew that they or their children risked being murdered simply because they were Jews. How to let go of that pain, when it is written on my very soul? I must, for the sake of my children. We must answer hatred with love, violence with peace, and conflict with reconciliation. The only way to do this is to forgive.

Pastor Orestes Sanchez, Congressman of the Republic of Peru; Pastor, World Christian Mission, emphasized that for peace, a spiritual and external strategy is needed. In Ephesians 6:12-13, it says, “For we do wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Our enemy is not the person, but the situation. “Love your enemy, do good to those who do evil.” In Korea, they must overcome the bad by loving day by day, showing that the brothers in the South love the brothers in the North. Strategies include:

1. Youth campaigns with those who know the Word of God.
2. Internships, with hundreds invited to North and South Korea
3. Show love with medicine and vaccines to North Korea
4. Create new attitudes, with love from South Korea to the North.

International Media Association for Peace (IMAP)—Communication Media Responsibilities in the Asia Pacific - YouTube Link

The International Media Association for Peace focused on what role the media could play in the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea.

The panelists came from Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua and the United States. They included:

Brazil: Dr. Sergio de Azavedo Ray-doh, a veteran journalist who is president of the Sao Paulo Press Association and Vice President of the National Press Federation;

Peru: Mr. Walter Echevarria, director of a major magazine in Lima called Vision Actual. Mr. Echeverria has started many news magazines and invested his life in telecommunications, broadcasting and education.

Nicaragua: Mrs. Yessenia del Rosario Cortez Martinez, general manager of a popular cable TV company, Vos TV. Mrs. Cortez brings a wealth of journalistic experience to the TV programming, and Vos TV recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IMAP, meaning it shares IMAP's goals for more responsible, principled and moral media.

United States: Two representatives from the Washington Times spoke. Mr. Guy Taylor is National Security Team Leader, covering the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence communities. He has visited East Asia for stories many times and writes a great deal about the Koreas. 

Also speaking was Times Chairman Tom McDevitt, who has been with the Times for 27 years. Mr. McDevitt, in addition to helping grow the Washington Times, has recently been appointed as chairman of HyoJeong Magnolia Global Foundation and HJ Magnolia USA. He is also global coordinator for IMAP and a sister association, the International Association for Peace and Economic Development.

The panel agreed that the media can, and should, play a major role in informing the world about the Korean Peninsula and paths to its reunification.  

Panelists noted:

• Free media should note differences between free media and state-run media. Don't ignore propaganda but deal with it wisely.
• Leaders should know the (historical) time in which they live and realize they can choose to find peace.
• Media should be optimistic and promote justice, peace and harmonious alliances.
• Look for "openings" in closed nations, like China and North Korea.
  Create "openings": Hold events in China and North Korea.
  Understand that when newsmakers are building bridges, they are not building walls. Don't confuse the two.

Several panelists upheld Reverend and Dr. Moon and UPF as voices of experience and action peacebuilding. They also said that IMAP could play an important role in the realm of media. 

Several talked about how "the world needs God" and that the reunification of the Koreas cannot be resolved by men and women alone; it needs higher thinking/inspiration/action.

International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP)—The Academy’s Role in Bringing Peace to the Korean Peninsula - YouTube Link

Dr. Dong Woo Kim: Greetings and Welcome

Dr. Tom Selover introduced Three Principles of Heavenly Society: Love Heaven, Love People, Love the Nation.

• Love Heaven: Heaven has been important for 5,000 years of history, through ancient tradition, Confucian thought, Buddhism, and then Christianity. These traditions are still alive today in Korea.
• Love People: in essence, it is living for the sake of others.
• Love the Nation: one family of humankind. Reverend. and Mrs. Moon risked their lives to practice those three kinds of love, especially when they went to meet Kim Il-sung in North Korea.
• This principle can be applied everywhere, not just in Korea.

Dr. Thomas Ward, president of Unification Theological Seminary, New York, offered the following:

• China wants to be the major power in the world by 2040. We must consider this in dealing with peace in Korea.
• There are relationship issues between Japan and Korea, two democracies with the rule of law.
• Three aspects that will help:
  • Japanese and Koreans share the same genetic code (not with the Chinese);
  • UPF helps in bringing Japanese and Koreans to speak to each other;
  • Finally, people-to-people diplomacy works, like the Bridge of Peace ceremony between Japanese and Korean women, and the international marriages promoted by Reverend and Dr. Moon.
• Other friendly nations, like the United States, Canada, and Europe, should support the reconciliation between these two countries.

Dr. Eugene Lee described four examples of academicians involved in government and state affairs. He also noted the following:

• The influence of research institutes is on the increase.
• Academicians must also listen to people from other fields (military specialists, for instance).
  • They can play a big role and should guide the narrative on the reunification issue.
  • They should promote new ideas even to the North side, and these ideas must be spoken more widely.

Dr. Aldo Centurión López:

• As General Coordinator of Citizens of Mercosur based in Paraguay, his comments focused on the challenges of the development and implementation of the Mercosur, the South American Common market that includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
• Mercosur is a market-based alliance between countries for mutual benefit, which could be examined as a model for the two Koreas.

Master Mercedes Giuffré:

• Focused on the crucial relationship between the United States, Japan and South Korea.
• Notwithstanding that tripartite relationship, South Korea needs different allies also.
• She focused on China’s geopolitical role with respect to the Korean Peninsula.

Dr. Adrián Meza Soza:

• As Rector of the Paulo Freire University of Nicaragua in Managua and a keen observer of the difficulties on the Korean Peninsula, he recommended strongly that the Korean peoples themselves should find their own solutions.
• Only they know how to live together as they have continuously for more than 5,000 years.

International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED)—Contributions of the Business and Economic Sector in the Pursuit of Peace and Development on the Korean Peninsula - YouTube Link

Moderator: Mr. Victor Castillo, Secretary General, UPF-Mexico

Mr. Tom McDevitt, Global Coordinator for IAED and Chairman of the Washington Times, opened the session with an overview of the strategy of IAED to build a network of economic experts and businesspeople who share the vision that business should be a force for good, working collaboratively with other sectors of society.  IAED’s vision is to be a thought leader in highlighting content, companies and praxis that can deliver real on-the-ground projects for social good, not just corporate check boxes for public relations value.

Mrs. Nicole Verdugo, Executive Director of the Chamber of Women and Business in Chile spoke next, making a forceful presentation of the challenge that the Covid pandemic created for Latin America. Her main point is that countries must build a coherent development strategy in the “new” reality context that is founded on strong leadership and better communication between authorities and different segments of society. She expressed gratitude for the work of UPF and indicated that the reunification of the two Koreas would be a significant help for the whole world in paving a way to overcome the two ideological blocs of democracy and totalitarian societies.

Dr. Cesar Diaz, General Manager of the Regional Cooperative Sud Itda in Paraguay, addressed the issue of North and South Korea by making reference to the experience in Germany of bringing two countries together with different systems.  His primary focus was to argue that true integration must be focused on clear principles. Values underlie what he termed a solidarity economy, where there is cooperation, democratic management and equal economic participation in a framework of autonomy. For this approach to be successful, there must first be an interest in a unified and integrated community, giving it a social and cultural meaning. The focus should be on education and training in order to improve the quality of life for all people. 

Mr. Serge Gosslin spoke next and continued the theme that a cooperative approach is needed to solve tough economic problems.  Mr. Gosselin is Director for Business Development with the largest financial cooperative network in Canada (DID). His firm has experience reforming areas (or populations) lacking in economic development.  Their goal is to bring together both the technical resources needed to empower people with skills and the financial resources needed to be competitive and successful. They find that financial cooperatives are highly important in pursuing a transformative approach to development.

Dr. James Jackson, founder of Project C.U.R.E, drew from his vast personal experience as a businessman and “cultural economist” consulting with countries around the world, including eight visits to North Korea. Speaking as a businessman, he said it is necessary to ask the “hard questions.” He listed three. No.1: “Why are you pursuing reunification? What would you hope the result would look like when the effort is finished?” No 2: “What specific plan could be put into place? Which set of laws would be followed, and who would settle disputes regarding ownership and rights?” No. 3: Who is going to do the work long enough to gain the confidence of each side to reach a successful economic situation where you must produce more than you consume?” From his experience in North Korea, Dr. Jackson saw firsthand how North Korea relies on subsidies and has not developed an economy that produces wealth. He believes they need to understand this basic “economics 101” lesson, or they will continue to go begging to their neighbors or the United Nations. He listed the following principles that productive societies exhibit—and which North Korea needs to “wrestle with”: 1) the pursuit of self-interest; 2) competition; 3) private property; 4) the rule of law; 5) freedom; 6) respect for human rights; 7) democracy.

IAACP: International Association of Art and Culture for Peace (IAACP)—The Power of Art and Culture to Harmonize - YouTube Link

David Eaton provided an outline for discussion.

When we discuss the Beauty, Truth and Goodness paradigm as we assess art, we tend focus on aesthetics (beauty) and the intellectual (truth) aspects, but we often neglect the moral aspect of art (goodness). In philosophical terms, the study of morals and values is referred to as axiology. This issue is one that I find to be quite significant. 

Art has a certain moral component, and artists ought to consider how their art affects the societies in which they live and work. We don’t create in a vacuum. That which we produce and put before the public has consequences, as such art can have a significant impact on our societies. Our motivation and intention in our creative endeavors mean a great deal.

In my study of the cultures of antiquity---Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, African and early Christian culture---all held a common view that art could affect individuals in profound ways. Therefore, they believed that the artists in their cultural spheres needed to create with a sense of moral responsibility.

In his Spring and Autumn Annals, Chinese politician Lu Bu Wei (291–235 BC) asserts: “The will of people living in an area can be known by examining the customs prevailing there. And their virtues can be known by examining their will. Whether a state will become prosperous or face its downfall, whether its leaders are sensible or unworthy, and whether a person is honorable or base, can all be known by the music they enjoy.”

This points to the importance of the goodness (moral) aspect of the beauty/truth/goodness concept.

American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein said in an interview in 1971: “Art cannot change events. But it can change people. It can affect people so that they are changed. Because people are changed by art—enriched, ennobled, encouraged—they can act in a way that may affect the course of events by the way they vote, the way they behave the way they think.”

This perspective is exactly in accord with our founders. In her memoirs, Dr. Hak Jah Han Moon states: “People often think that politics moves the world, but that is not the case. It is culture and art that moves the world. It is affection, not reason, that touches people in their innermost being. When hearts become receptive, ideologies and political regimes can change.”

In the 1960s Reverend and Mrs. Moon founded the Little Angels dance troupe. Their motivation in doing this was to have the beautiful Korean culture to open the doors to the important truths that they wished to share with the world. In 1991—thirty years ago this year—they visited North Korea and met with the North Korean dictator, Kim Il sung. Prior to that historic encounter the Little Angels had traveled to North Korea and presented several performances as a way to reach “the innermost” realms of heart of the North Korean leadership and act as a gateway for greater understanding and dialogue.

Whether it was Confucius or Lu Bu Wei in China, or Plato and Aristotle in Greece, or St. Augustine or Anicius Boethius in Europe, there was an understanding that art and beauty could either ennoble or corrupt. It is, therefore, extremely important to understand that as long as some music somewhere is considered morally questionable, we need to remember that art can be a powerful form of persuasion and can act as an ethical force that exacts ethical responsibilities.

Ascertaining the values and virtues that can help us create a culture of peace is a salient point. That, in my opinion, should be a primary concern in our creative endeavors. In our IAAPC sphere, I look forward to the dialogue that can assist in this process.

Closing Session - YouTube Link

Summary of Sessions and ILC 2021 Resolution

Moderator: Mrs. Kaeleigh Moffitt

Session Moderators:

ISCP - Dr. Franco Famularo, President UPF Canada

IAPP - Dr. Simão Ferabolli, Secretary General UPF South America

IAPD - Tomiko Duggan, Senior Vice President, UPF USA

IAFLP - Mrs. Angelika Selle, International Vice President, WFWP North America

IMAP - Ms. Cheryl Wetzstein, Coordinator, IMAP North America

IAAP - Rev. Robert Duffy, Secretary General, UPF Canada

IAED - Mr. Alan Jessen, Coordinator, IAED North America

ILC2021 Resolution

Hon. Dan Burton, International Co-Chairman, IAPP; Member, U.S. Congress, 1983–2013

Final Remarks and Prayer

Dr. Trevor Jones, President, UPF-Peru

Archbishop G. Augustus Stallings Jr., Co-Chair, American Clergy Leadership Conference

Cheryl Wetzstein, Robert Duffy, and Alan Jessen contributed to the report.

To see all the videos from the 2021 International Leadership Conference of the Americas, click here.