Kathmandu, Nepal—UPF-South Asia and the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) held a Northeast Asia Peace Initiative webinar on March 2, 2021 on the "Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula and World Peace: Media Perspectives” with 60 participants in attendance.
In his welcome remarks, regional coordinator of IMAP-Asia Pacific, Dr. Robert S. Kittel, spoke about the importance of organizing events highlighting how the media can influence the lives of people to achieve the “greater good” on a frequent basis.
The program's chairperson, two-time minister of the government of Nepal, and chairman of UPF- and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP)-Asia Pacific, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, underscored the importance of establishing peace throughout the world. He further added that UPF is fostering partnerships regardless of geo-political differences and emphasized the role of media in advancing peace.
The keynote speaker was Washington Times chairman, Dr. Thomas P. McDevitt, who affirmed that “the media must become the conscience of society.” He continued, illustrating what the media can do, quoting UPF co-founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. He added that media outlets need to help foster good governance, promote core human values and advocate for self-governing socially responsible media for the sake of peace.
Afterwards, eight panelists presented. The speaker from Nepal, Annapurna Post editor in-chief, Mr. Akhanda Bhandari, focused on reconciliation to advance the reunification of the Korean peninsula and expressed his well wishes to see the Korean people united. Deepto Television (Bangladesh) CEO Mr. Faud Chowdhury opined that the media will help support the reunification of the Korean peninsula. Neo News (Pakistan) executive producer, Mr. Farid Rais, shared the painful experience of Pakistan and has drawn the attention of the world to put an end to terrorism. As a media personality, he tries to promote positivity in the world.
Bhutan Times journalist Mr. Sangay Rabten believes the secret of living for humanity lies in the peaceful involvement of people for the common good. Former minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Hanim, and former state minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment of Sri Lanka, Mr. Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, expressed that they hope to see an end to the unfriendly relations between the two Koreas and a united peninsula.
UPF-South Asia director, Mr. Santosh K. Paudel, who served as the moderator, concluded the event by speaking about UPF’s recent activities.