Newsletter

March 2009

Vol 4, Issue 4

Global Peace Tour 2009 Begins in Japan

Tokyo, Japan - On February 28, the UPF Global Peace Tour began in Japan with an International Leadership Conference, service projects, and a main program. Former US Congressman Rev. Walter Fauntroy spoke of the rise of the Obama era and hopes for bringing together people of different religions, nationalities, and cultures.
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World Summit Video

National Chapter News

UPF is active in more than 130 nations. Check our recently-expanded list of national chapter pages for local news, features, and contact information:     
UPF Chapter

Link to World Summit Survey Results

Link to the Survey

Tour Launches Mindanao Peace Initiative

Manila, Philippines - Building on the foundation of the successful Global Peace Festivals in Manila and the southern Philippine island of Mindanao last year, the Universal Peace Federation this week launched the Mindanao Peace Initiative in sessions at the Philippine House of Representatives and in cities across Mindanao.
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Tour in Moscow Presents a New Philosophy of Peace

Moscow, Russia - New insights about peace and reports about the work of the Universal Peace Federation inspired Ambassadors for Peace and distinguished guests at a March 1 peace rally in Moscow.
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Peace Summit Group Focuses on Rights

New York, USA - The path to peace will be impossible to navigate without a more caring brand of capitalism, democracy, expanded human rights and the rule of law, said speakers at a "World Summit for Peace" on January 30.
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Keynote Address "One Family Under God"

Download Keynote Address "One Family Under God" (Microsoft Word document)

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FREE- UPF Today ( PDF)

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February 2009

Vol 4, Issue 3

'Power of 10 Sen' Raises Funds for Gaza Children

The President of UPF-Malaysia, Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail, has been seeking ways to connect the young people of her country with the world. Giving donations to help needy children in Gaza is a tangible way for people living in a distant country to offer aid in the spirit of one family under God. The fund-raising drive is being carried out in partnership with the Red Crescent Society of Malaysia, with the endorsement of the Ministry of Unity and the Ministry of Education.
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Call for Young Leaders to Help Build Peace in Africa

Nairobi, Kenya - Young leaders from government, academia, and the volunteer sector are invited to a ground-breaking International Young Leaders conference in Nairobi, Kenya, March 19 to 21. The conference theme is "The Role of Young Leaders in Achieving UN Millennium Development Goals and Peacebuilding in Africa."
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Presentations at the World Summit 2009 in  New York

Kwak: Building a World of Universal Peace

Chowdhury: Promoting Peace as a Human Right

Syamsuddin: Need for More Inclusive Approaches to Peace

De Venecia: The Need for an Interfaith Council in the United Nations System

Baird: Waging Holy Peace

Interfaith Dialogue in Macau

Macau - Many different views were shared, but somehow it was understood that God should remain at the center of these discussions. World peace will only be possible if God can be seen as our common center. Here was a moment for God's liberation, a moment handed to Rev. Moon - a moment of hope, happiness and expectation, in this tiny archipelago of mainland China.
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International Women's Day To Be Celebrated in Washington, DC

Washington, DC, USA - Each year, the International Women's Day observance in Washington, DC encourages women to become peacemakers in their homes, societies, and the world. This year's program will take place on March 12 at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill.
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FREE- UPF Today ( PDF)

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in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean,  Russian and Spanish on UPF Website. 

February 2009

Vol 4, Issue 2

This Enewsletter is dedicated to the founders of the Universal Peace Federation for their vision, leadership and service to God and humanity for the sake of peace, on the occasion of their 90th and 67th birthdays.

Peace Summit Group Focuses on Rights

New York, USA - The path to peace will be impossible to navigate without a more caring brand of capitalism, democracy, expanded human rights and the rule of law, said speakers at a "World Summit for Peace" on January 30.
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Rev. Sun Myung Moon Celebrates 90th Birthday in New York - and Seoul

New York, USA - The Founder of the Universal Peace Federation, the Reverend Dr. Sun Myung Moon celebrated his 90th birthday on January 31st. Twice, in fact. He and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who share the same birth date according to the lunar calendar, were first honored in celebrations held in Seoul, Korea and then again after their arrival into New York City barely 15 hours later. Over 3,700 religious, diplomatic, and community leaders gathered to welcome them at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.
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Addressing Barriers to Unity in Nepal

Kathmandu, Nepal - The Universal Peace Federation-Nepal, Youth Federation for World Peace, and partner organization Navajagriti-Nepal jointly organized a one-day program with the theme "Participation of Youth for Peace and Human Development" on January 20.
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People-to-People Diplomacy in the South Caucasus

Moscow, Russia - A January 23 conference addressed human security issues in the South Caucasus conflict zones  and recommended people-to-people diplomacy as a way to resolve long-standing conflicts related to Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. This was part of the South Caucasus Peace Initiative (SCPI) set up by UPF-Eurasia in early 2008 and the Russian Political Science Association.
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First International Peace Song Writing Contest

New York, USA - The Peace Music Foundation (PMF), in association with the New York City Symphony and Artists Association for World Peace, is presenting its First International Peace Song Writing Contest. PMF is seeking original songs based on the universal themes of world peace, living in harmony, removing boundaries, living for the sake of others, brother/sisterhood, solidarity of the human family, unity and true love as a way to promote the ideals of its annual competition.
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UPF Publications - "Leadership and Good Governance: For Peace and Development"

A selection of 34 presentations given during UPF conferences held during 2008. Each person offers insights about how to see peace in one another during these times of global crisis.

UPF Publications - "Interreligious Cooperation and the Promotion of Human Rights and Peace"

                                     

The present volume contains material from three conferences organized by Universal Peace Federation as part of the year-long commemoration marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Festival in Chile Promotes Ideal of One Family Under God

Lampa, Chile - The Universal Peace Federation in Chile conducted a Global Peace Festival on Saturday, January 24, 2009, in the city of Lampa, about 15 miles north of the capital of Santiago.
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Peace Festival Enriches the Lives of Peruvians

Lima, Peru - In the week ending January 25, 2009, Lima, the capital city of Peru, witnessed a variety of activities all centered on a single theme - One Family under God. 
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Seeds of Hope in Tucumán, Argentina

Tucumán, Argentina -The kick off of the Global Peace Festival in Argentina was held on January 28, in San Miguel de Tucumán, a city in northwestern Argentina.
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A Community Festival in Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá, Colombia - A mini Global Peace Festival took place on January 17, 2009 in a small area of Bogotá called Usme.
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Volunteers Work for Peace and Development in Honduras

Tegucigalpa, Honduras - On January 21, 2009, a workshop about coordinating volunter effort for peace and development was held at the headquarters of the Universal Peace Federation.
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In Trinidad and Tobago, an Equal Place for Every Creed and Race

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Between the festivities of Christmas past and Carnival coming, the Universal Peace Federation managed to catch the attention of Trinidadians for a moment in January.
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Peace Festival in Ecuador Focuses on Character Education

Quito, Ecuador - The inauguration of the Global Peace Festival in Ecuador took place at the City Hall on January 17. After a video presentation about the Global Peace Festival, the president of the Universal Peace Federation in Ecuador gave welcoming remarks, followed by a peace message by a Catholic nun.
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FREE- UPF Today ( PDF)

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in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Korean,  Russian and Spanish on UPF Website. 

January 2009

Vol 4, Issue 1

Dear Subscriber,

In the recent "Most Read Stories for 2008" newsletter, a couple of reports were of events that actually took place during 2007. Please accept our apology for mislabeling them. If you have any comments or suggestions to improve UPF Enewsletter, please drop us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
.

Delhi Conference Focuses on India's Strengths and Potential

New Delhi, India - An International Leadership Conference in New Delhi on December 27 reviewed the recommendations of the ten leadership conferences held throughout India during 2008. Participants examined the challenges and opportunities facing India and the relevance of UPF to India's aspirations.
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People-to-People Diplomacy in the South Caucasus

Moscow, Russia - A January 23 conference addressed human security issues in the South Caucasus conflict zones  and recommended people-to-people diplomacy as a way to resolve long-standing conflicts related to Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. This was part of the South Caucasus Peace Initiative (SCPI) set up by UPF-Eurasia in early 2008 and the Russian Political Science Association.
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Call for Interfaith Action for Peace in Israel and Gaza

The Universal Peace Federation is deeply saddened by the loss of life in the current crisis in the Gaza strip. Muslim, Jewish, and Christian faith leaders of the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) of the Universal Peace Federation are committed to peacebuilding and an end to the cycle of violence in Israel and the Gaza strip. Amidst the violence and despair, MEPI continues to foster dialogue and understanding to seek God's guidance toward the resolution of conflict.
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Peace Festival Launched In Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia - With the sound of a gong and setting of dozens of doves to flight, the Global Peace Festival was launched in Indonesia on January 14. Four months of community service and networking will culminate in a huge gathering in May. 
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Bridging Ethnic Differences in Georgia

Tbilisi, Georgia - The Georgia Peace Festival December 6 and 7 provided opportunities for neighboring peoples in the Caucasus Mountains south of Russian to learn about their diverse people, cultures, and history and better understand how the ongoing political and ethnic turmoil in the regional impact people's daily life.
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Celebrating Peace in Belize

Belize City, Belize - The Global Peace Festival in Belize was the first time that the idea of celebrating peacebuilding efforts with neighboring Guatemala had come to people's minds. Though small compared to the GPF efforts around the world, the November 28 and 29 events may impact the future of Belize and its neighboring countries in tremendous ways.
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FREE- UPF Today ( PDF)

New York - Free PDF of UPF Today 
in Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian and Spanish on UPF Website. 

With our warm appreciation and best wishes.
May the coming year be filled with
Peace, Joy and Happiness for you and your family!

December 2008

Vol 3, Issue 26

Global Leaders Endorse "One Big Family Under God" in Manila

Manila, Philippines - Religious and political leaders from various nations shared the limelight on December 13 in front of thousands of people at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in a show of unity and symbolic breaking of cultural barriers to become "one big family under God" during the Global Peace Festival.
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Making Solomon Islands a Model Nation of Peace in Oceania

Honiara, Solomon Islands - "Under the motto of One Family under God, everyone can learn to live in harmony," according to the chair of the Global Peace Festival-Solomon Islands, Hon. Augustine Taneko, a Member of Parliament.

The GPF comes on the heels of a tumultuous time in the history of the Solomon Islands due to civil wars and riots. The capital Honiara is still recovering from the wounds of ethnic conflicts between the indigenous population of Guadalcanal and migrants from the island of Malaita. Also, a riot that burned down Chinatown left emotional and psychological scars that are painful and worrisome.

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Feature Video

Speakers at Interfaith Youth Leaders Forums

Interfaith Youth Leaders Forums

Pabari: Hinduism
Aycil: Islam
Engle: The New Seminary
Gentile: Sufi Islam
Nachef: Catholicism
Singh: Sikhism
Fong: Unificationism
Garibay: Buddhism
Dundonon: Islam
Haines: Unificationism
Chaggar: Sikhism
Shah: Jainism
Patel: Hinduism

Spreading the Vision of One Family Under God in Brasilia

Brasilia, Brazil - Bishop Manoel Ferreira mobilized his family and the Assemblies of God Church leaders in Brazil to prepare for the Global Peace Festival in Brazil and to make it into a successful event. After attending a breakfast planning meeting, they invited GPF chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon and his party to visit the Brasilia headquarters of the Assemblies of God Church. Bishop Ferreira asked Dr. Moon to offer a prayer of blessing, and afterwards they planted trees in the courtyard
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December 2008

Vol 3, Issue 25

UPF Announces Human Rights Portal to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->New York, USA - On December 2nd, 2008, in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, more than 300 religious, political and civil rights leaders gathered at the United Nations to discuss how to best respond to the disturbing new wave of human rights violations around the world.

To honor this historic event, UPF has created a special website portal with videos of keynote speeches, including talks by these passionate youth:http://www.upf.org/un/humanrights.

More UPF News

International Volunteer Day in Gama, Brazil

World AIDS Day Fliers Distributed in Brazil

University Beauty Pageant in Manila Finds Beauty in Service

Update on Supporting Success Scholarship Challenge

Hondurans Celebrate International Volunteer Day

Brasilia GPF: Brazil Could Participate in a Global Peace Corps

Brasilia, Brazil - With more than 20,000 noisy Brazilians of all ages filling the Nelson Nilson stadium with noise and enthusiasm, Bishop Manoel Ferreira, the tireless chairman and promoter of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) held in Brasilia last weekend could perhaps at last afford himself a quiet smile of satisfaction."This is a very important time for Brazil," he told reporters. "We are one of the fastest growing nations in the world, and it is time for us to show the world what we can do." Although Brazil has its full share of social and economic problems, the most urgent problems facing its 180 million people are not primarily material or economic, but moral and spiritual, Ferreira said.

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Small Acts of Selfless Service in Manila

Manila, Philippines - Partnering with government and agencies of social change, the Global Peace Festival is helping create a new sense of civic pride in cities around the world - what it calls a "culture of service." Even small acts of service will help to create a new ethos of cooperation and civic involvement. In the business world they call it "buzz marketing." One of the three main components of the Global Peace Festival is the social impact component. The main objective is to teach young people the value of selfless service. But it is not a concept that can be learned in a book - it has to be experienced.
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Lebanese Youth Reach out to Others During a Weekend of Service

Beirut, Lebanon - Recording stories for blind children, planting olive trees for peace, singing songs with orphans, distributing flyers against drunk driving, playing games in a home for abandoned street children, and clearing a park area for a women's center: these were some of the social projects which volunteers carried out during the Lebanon Youth Service Weekend on November 14 to 16 under the umbrella of the Global Peace Festival's new national service program.
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Youth Leaders Promote Human Rights at Interfaith Forums

"The world is suffering not only because of the actions of evil people but because of the silence of good people." This challenge to speak up was issued by Aliya Khan, a Muslim speaker at the Interfaith Youth Leaders Forum held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on December 2, the fourth in a series of recent youth leaders forums.
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Peace Music Community Launched

Peace Music Community is a new online community of musicians dedicated to the ideal of using their creative abilities for peace. You can upload photos, video and audio, share with friends and colleagues via forums and blogging, chat, etc.
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FREE- UPF Today ( PDF)

<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--> <!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->New York - Free PDF of UPF Today in Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish on UPF Website.

December 2008

Vol 3, Issue 24

Religious Leaders Declare Support for Human Rights at UN Celebration

New York, USA - Over 300 religious, political, and civil society leaders gathered at the United Nations Headquarters in New York December 2 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and also to consider how best to respond to the new wave of human rights violations around the world. The event was sponsored by the Permanent Missions of four nations: Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nepal and coordinated by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Office of UN Relations.

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London GPF Opens in the House of Commons

London, England - The London Global Peace Festival began on November 20 with a standing-room only plenary discussion hosted at the House of Commons in the Palace of Westminster on the topic "New Paradigm in a Time of Global Crisis."
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Featured Videos

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More UPF News

Peace Activists Join Capacity Crowd at GPF in London

Moldova Festival Bridges East and West

Overflow Audience at Global Peace Festival in Rizal

Cordillera Global Peace Festival Attracts Thousands

Peace Education Offered at Lanao Del Norte GPF

Global Peace Festival to Become Annual Event in Negros Oriental

UN Spirituality Seminars Explore the Source of Universal Human Rights

Click Here to view the Video

Fifty Thousand Stand Up for Peace in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan - Fifty thousand people crammed into Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium for the latest in a series of spectacular successes for the Global Peace Festival. One of the largest interfaith gatherings ever held in Japan highlighted months of community service and outreach aimed at encouraging Japan, already a strong player in aid and environmental issues, to become a global force for peace.
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Songs and Dances Touch Hearts at Moldova Global Peace Festival

Chisinau, Moldova - Beginning with a few words by Ronald Koonce, the night started with the message that music is the connector of all people, with help from a few words by John Lennon. Then, the entertainment began. Local stars came out to perform and have a hand in peacebuilding, including vocalists Olga Ciolacu, Natalia Barbu, Nelly Ciobanu, Aura, and Janet Erhan.

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4th Living for Others Awards Presentation in Australia

Sydney, Australia - The 4th Living for Others Awards Presentations was held successfully on Saturday, October 25th, in Sydney's Western Suburbs. With a packed house of 400 guests in attendance in a grand banquet style format, the crowd was treated to a unique program. This year the sponsoring organization, Universal Peace Federation, welcomed delegates from the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) International Conference being held in Sydney at the time. Amongst the notable dignitaries present was the wife of the deputy prime minister of Vanuatu, Mrs. Lini, and various other religious, political and community leaders.
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November 2008

Vol 3, Issue 23

New Hope for Korean Reunification

Seoul, South Korea - Can Korea ever be reunited? That was the urgent question posed separately to a crowd of tens of thousands at the Global Peace Festival in Seoul's Yoido Plaza, and to a smaller but highly placed group of more than 600 people at the Korean National Assembly. Congressmen and women and representatives of the international diplomatic community in Seoul gathered November 7-9 for a frank and often outspoken debate on the need for new strategies for the reunification of Korea, the last divided nation on earth.
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Sights and Sounds from Malaysia's Global Peace Festival

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia- Sheikh Muszaphar and a host of the nation's most influential citizens were gathered to celebrate the latest in the Global Peace Festival series and to promote the GPF vision with the slogan "Let's make Malaysia the world capital of peace."
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A Call to Service in Lebanon

Beirut, Lebanon - Global Peace Festival organizers seek the participation of schools, universities, and youth organizations in a special program of voluntary service November 14-16 throughout Beirut and beyond.
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In This Issue

New Hope for Korean Reunification.

Sights and Sounds from Malaysia's Global Peace Festival

A Call to Service in Lebanon

A Peace March in Albania

Support Success: Scholarships for Zambia Children

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UPF Quick Links

Universal Peace Federation

Global Peace Festival

A Peace March in Albania

Korca, Albania - Approximately 2,000 people joined a high-spirited peace march through the ancient Albanian city of Korça to mark the Global Peace Festival on October 18. Led by the Korça City Band and hundreds of Ambassadors for Peace, the throng of peace marchers headed for the main celebration in the Sports Hall.

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Support Success: Scholarships for Zambia Children

New York, New York - If the International Relief Friendship Foundation can raise over $3,000 in scholarship funds from at least 75 different donors for Zambian students by November 21, it will have ongoing access to Global Giving's network of funders and partners.
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