Peru—UPF-Peru held the incorporation ceremony of a new Ambassador for Peace, Mrs. Susana Patricia Silva Morales, president of the Asháninka Federation of Lower Urubamba, within the framework of celebrating the Day of the Farmer– Dia del Campesino. The meeting was held in the auditorium of the Provincial Council of Atalaya, Ucayali Region. More than 150 people from different parts of Peru followed the broadcast, on Zoom and Facebook, of the meeting on June 24, 2021.
The forum was attended by prominent authorities from the region of Atalaya Province. The event was supported by the UPF regional president of the Amazon rainforest region of Peru, Ambassador for Peace Santiago Díaz Aroca and his wife, Mrs. Carla Marilú Pérez Palomino. UPF-Peru Secretary General Mr. Jaime Fernández, moderated the event.
The opening remarks were given by UPF-Peru Executive President Dr. Trevor Jones, who introduced the origins, scope and programs of UPF that contribute to the building of a better world. In addition, he highlighted the importance of Ambassadors for Peace for the establishment of a world of peace: one human family under God.
Dr. Adelmo Segundo Guerrero Enciso, provincial mayor of Atalaya, Ucayali Region, thanked UPF-Peru for the recognition given to Mrs. Susana Silva and stressed the efforts of leaders and members from more than 280 indigenous communities of Atalaya province to "live in peace and in harmony with nature."
Provincial Deputy Prefect of Atalaya Marleny Rey Sánchez Sierra seconded the words of Dr. Adelmo Guerrero and emphasized the importance of protecting and conserving the province of Atalaya and the Amazon rainforest: "A vital lung for the life of our planet."
For his part, Dr. Valeriy Klimov, a Ukrainian scientist specializing in vertebrate zoology and landscape and ecosystem design, congratulated Mrs. Susana Silva’s work for making Peru and the world aware of the real problems that the Amazon is facing: land trafficking, drug trafficking and illegal logging of forests. The efforts that Mrs. Silva has been making enabled the Asháninka community to be provided with the necessary tools to enforce their rights and maintain their tradition of protecting the environment and living in harmony with nature.
The incorporation ceremony of the new Ambassador for Peace included the appointment speech by Dr. Jones. The appointment ceremony was done by Mr. Días Aroca and his wife on behalf of Dr. Jones. Subsequently, Mrs. Silva gave an acknowledgement as a new Ambassador for Peace, reaffirming her commitment to work for peace and calling on authorities to work together to achieve this ideal by living in harmony with indigenous communities and the environment.
The event also featured the presentation of typical dances from the Asháninka community. Likewise, a delegation of authorities from the Asháninka community delivered mystical ornaments to the authorities who attended to the meeting.
Dr. Guerrero and Mr. Díaz Aroca gave closing remarks. The meeting concluded with the final words of Dr. Jones, who thanked the authorities and guests for their attendance and invited the audience to participate in upcoming UPF meetings.