The appointment of a new president and board of directors for UPF-Peru proved to be a stimulating event that attracted over 50 Ambassadors for Peace to gather in the Peace Embassy in Miraflores, Lima, Peru early in August 2009.
Following a series of meetings with the core Ambassadors for Peace and the founding members of UPF-Peru elections were held and the new team selected. The formal swearing-in ceremony took place on August 3 in front of a distinguished audience that included Congressman Yonhy Lescano, Vice Minister of Defence Rafael Aita, Muslim and Christian leaders, and a pair of past record-holding athletes.
The new President is Mr. Jorge Chavez Lanfranchi, a former Prefect of Lima (an important political position appointed directly by the President of Peru). An engineer, he is currently managing director of an agricultural research company and also maintains strong links with politicians and leaders of Peruvian society.
He is well supported by the Vice President, Mr. Damin Awad, President of the Muslim Association in Peru, as well as a team of dedicated Ambassadors for Peace including Pastor Luis Acero, Dr. Manuel Arana, Dr. Jose Carpio, Mr. Justino Valezquez, Mr. Cesar Aguayo, and Mr. Juan Carlos Infantes.
The past presidents and board members were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the development of UPF-Peru by the presentation of certificates and floral tributes to those present.
Mr. Trevor Jones continues to serve as Executive Director and international liaison for Peru. During the evening program two new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed: Mr. Christian Pardo Reyes, President of an international young lawyers association, and Mrs. Olga Torres Blancas, linguist and world traveller who has lived and worked in France and England.
The new president commenced his inaugural speech by calling for prayers from Pastor Luis Acero, a leading minister in the Assemblies of God congregation. Mr. Chavez then expressed his appreciation to all Ambassadors for Peace for their dedication to UPF and pledged himself to continue this work.
The next major event will be the celebration of the UN International Day of Peace on September 21. Thanks again to the support of Ambassador/Congresswoman Margarita Sucari, we will again hold the meeting in the Congress of Peru. Dr. Antero Flores Araoz, Peru's Global Peace Council representative, will be one of the key speakers.
The new board of directors held their first meeting the following week to discuss plans for the coming year. Among the proposals was an inter-university football competition; it looks as if it will be an exciting year!