Two members of the Presiding Council, the UPF Co-chair Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, and Secretary General Dr. Thomas Walsh are nearing the end of an educational tour in Central and South America to promote "A Vision for the Americas." The group has met with key leaders and is holding International Leadership Conferences in Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Brazil.

"My vision is that the hemisphere of the Americas can move toward integration, cooperation, development and peace, centered on core values," said Dr. Moon in Peru, "and everywhere I go I see confirmation that we are at a turning point and a time of great opportunity to create God's global family, One Family Under God."

At the same time, Dr. Moon said, there is also a danger that the Northern and Southern hemispheres can become increasingly alienated. Recent elections have brought in several new administrations with a chilly attitude to the United States.

"Despite this, universal principles must underlie democratization, development, and social transformation in the region," said Dr. Walsh. "Leaders from government, religion, civil society and the private sector will become owners of this vision together."

The two leaders have met with several heads of state, congressmen and women, and city mayors to discuss the development of the Universal Peace Federation and its peace education program. Plans are being developed for a Global Peace Festival in Asunción, Paraguay, in early July.