São Tomé, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe—Beginning on September 3rd, the São Tomé and Príncipe Summit brought together political and religious representatives from 27 African countries, focusing on “Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values.”
Aware of the common history between Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe, the Portuguese government was represented by Dr. Ilda Maria Araújo Novo, deputy of the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic. Introduced by the Women’s Federation for World Peace and invited by UPF, she gladly agreed to partipate. There she had the opportunity to meet politicians and religious leaders from Portuguese-speaking countries, namely Angola, Cape Verde and Mozambique, and shared with them the desire to work together to implement UPF’s values in these nations. Dr. Novo’s efforts as a politician and as a teacher were recognized through her nomination as an Ambassador for Peace. As a teacher she was also deeply impressed by the work done by Youth and Students for Peace in São Tomé during the last two months, namely the teaching of character education in São Tomé schools.
This summit was the result of two months of hard work offered by many volunteers from several countries, including Japan and Brazil. One week before the event, a team of volunteer doctors from Korea arrived at São Tomé, bringing with them medicine and medical supplies. These gifts were a token of the heart of our founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
As a result of so much investment, the overall program was a huge success. Moments like the Family Festival and the Youth Festival clearly showed the importance of our efforts.
This Summit was also an opportunity to deepen the relationship between UPF-Portugal and the Tocoist church. Meeting His Holiness Bishop Afonso Nunes gave us the chance to ask him to officially invite Dr. Moon to Angola, where she would be received not only by his church but also by Angola’s government.
The vision of our founders brought together people from different nationalities, religions and ways of life, making us all feel like one family working together for an everlasting world of peace. The commitments made by all in São Tomé will continue to bring success in building an Africa of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values.