FOLLOW US
Interreligious Association for Peace and Development
U.S. Convocation of IAPD and IAPP Held in Los Angeles
Written by Staffan Berg, UPF-Arizona
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Los Angeles, United States—More than 200 participants from nine countries attended the National Convocation of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP).
The convocation took place at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel from April 5 to 6, 2019.
Twenty-five panelists expounded on “The Role of Religious and Civic Leaders in Realizing Peace in the Family, Nation and World” in four sessions over two days.
The first session addressed “The Vision, Universal Values and Work of UPF, IAPD, IAPP, ACLC and WFWP.” Tomiko Duggan, the senior vice president of sponsoring organization UPF-USA, showed photos from the last 15 months of similar conferences in Senegal, Austria, Brazil, South Africa, Nepal, and South Korea, as well as in New York.
The co-sponsoring organization American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) was represented by Dr. Luonne Rouse, national co-chair, and Archbishop George A. Stallings Jr., national co-chair emeritus of ACLC and chair of the IAPD. Archbishop Stallings promoted the rekindling of human spirituality beyond any one religion. Dr. Rouse implored the assembled clergy to pinpoint local needs and organize to restore the community and renew the nation.
Angelika Selle, president of the U.S. chapter of Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), stated that women have the pivotal role to bring the heart and spirit of peace for this new age. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the Mother of Peace, inaugurated WFWP 27 years ago by traveling to all major cities around the globe to break down barriers, Mrs. Selle said. A mother’s heart has the gift to find common ground, to find connections that bring peace and harmony, she said.
“Different from other women’s organizations, we know who we are—created in the image of God and essentially different from men. Women need not battle nor imitate men. Let us instead lift up the divine in men and work together for peace,” Mrs. Selle said.
Hon. Matt Salmon, a former U.S. congressman from the state of Arizona, amazed the group by singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Starting from the motto “Peace Starts with Me,” Mr. Salmon addressed the public officials, recommending them to practice what they preach, to “walk the walk” by bringing peace and unity into discussions, and to legislate to strengthen the family.
Tom McDevitt, the chair of the Board of Directors of The Washington Times, asked all to better the community by applying one inspiring idea from this conference through the already established networks. Mr. McDevitt also implored all to subscribe to The Washington Times newspaper, which, according to a recent poll, ranks among the top five most trusted sources of information in the United States.
After the conclusion of the convocation, all the participants were brought by bus to the City of Refuge Church in the nearby city of Gardena for the Peace Starts with Me: Blessing America rally. The 60 couples who participated in the convocation were seated in the front rows of the church so that they could take part in the Marriage Rededication Ceremony.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Austria
UPF-Austria Co-Sponsors Interfaith Conference
Vienna, Austria—“[Religious] walls must come down, if we are to aim for a world of peace," the UPF founder once said.
Angola
UPF-Portugal Broadcasts to Angola’s Radio Tocoíst
Lisbon, Portugal—The president of UPF-Portugal, Dr. Sérgio Vieira, spoke to listeners of Radio Tocoíst in Angola.
United Kingdom
UPF-UK Visits Hindu Youth Summer Camp
Birmingham, United Kingdom—UPF spoke to around 120 Hindu youths about interfaith and peace activities.