UPF International—All of us at UPF International would like to wish our friends and colleagues across the world a very Happy Holiday Season and New Year 2023. Your encouragement, support and contributions to our mission and work are deeply appreciated. As a result, UPF is widely recognized as a leading voice for peace in the midst of a polarized and divided world.
As we are all aware, 2022 has had its share of challenges, challenges that take on many forms, from war and conflict to corruption and poverty, from threats to our environment, to threats to human dignity and human rights. Despite the difficulties we face, we press on, doing our best to make a difference in this world, promoting dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation among people of all nationalities, religions, ethnicities, races and cultures. In this way, we build trust and solidarity, and make progress toward the goal of becoming one harmonious and universal human family under God.
Since our founding in 2005, UPF, and all its associations, have upheld the core principles of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values as essential components of peace.
Looking back on the year 2022 we recall some of the highlights. In January, the 2nd UPF Prayer for Peace on the Korean Peninsula was attended by some 1,200 religious leaders, along with leaders from all walks of life and representing 157 countries that have established diplomatic ties with both North and South Korea.
In February, World Summit 2022 was successfully hosted by UPF Co-Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, along with Co-Chairs: H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, and H.E. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General (2007-2016) of the United Nations. World Summit 2022 produced a "Peace Charter" calling for peace on the Korean Peninsula, an Asia Pacific Union, and the establishment of a World Culture of Peace. As a part of World Summit 2022,the 5th Sunhak Peace PrizeAward Ceremony was held, focused on the response to the global pandemic. The prestigious recipients were Dame Sarah Catherine Gilbert, Professor of Vaccinology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. H.E. Samdech Hun Sen received the Sunhak Peace Prize Founder's Award,
In August, the Summit 2022 and Leadership Conference brought together international leaders to discuss a vision for a unified Korea and unified world, and to pay tribute to UPF Co-Founder, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, on the 10th anniversary of his passing.
The 4th and 5th Think Tank 2022 Forums were held in February and August, respectively. UPF also launched a new series called the Conference of Hope. Held in November and December, the Conference of Hope programs brought together world experts to discuss Universal Human Rights and Religious Freedom.
As we look to 2023, we are already preparing for World Summit 2023, to be held on May 2-7, 2023. The program will include a Global Assembly of the International Summit Council for Peace, involving heads of state and government. In addition, there will be a special dedication of the new Cheon Won Gung Peace Center.
UPF is deeply appreciative of and indebted to our Co-Founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, for her generous support and wise guidance. Without her steadfast and inspired leadership, the UPF would not be able to carry out its mission.
In addition, a strong heartfelt word of appreciation is also due to the UPF regional chairs, UPF association coordinators, sub-regional chairs, regional secretaries general, and tens of thousands of volunteers who carry out so many excellent programs in every corner of the world.
On behalf of UPF International, we thank you for your continuous support and pray that all the blessings of the season, and the new year, will be yours.
Sincerely,
Thomas G. Walsh, Ph.D.
Chairman
Universal Peace Federation