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South Asia Peace Initiative
Celebrating the 8th Anniversary of UPF-Nepal and the Nepal Peace Process
Written by Dr. Robert S. Kittel, Director of Education, UPF-Asia, and photojournalist
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Kathmandu, Nepal - A ceremony marking the eighth anniversary of Nepal’s Peace Process and the establishment UPF in Nepal took place in Kathmandu on Nov. 13, 2013.
The first and only visit to this beautiful Himalayan nation by UPF Founders Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon was in 2005. They were welcomed as state guests with such sincerity that it left a deep and lasting impression. Father Moon passed away last year.
The trip was not an ordinary tourist visit. They came to establish UPF in Nepal as part of a tour to 120 cities in 120 days to inaugurate UPF chapters throughout the world.
The day Father and Mother Moon came to Nepal was the same day Nepal’s peace process began, with the signing of a 12-point Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi on Nov. 25, 2005 between the Maoists and the Seven Party Alliance. This was the beginning of the end of the decade-long war that left as many as 15,000 Nepalese people dead.
One hundred distinguished Ambassadors for Peace attended the anniversary program. Everyone who was invited attended, proud to be part of Father and Mother Moon’s vision and their movement.
Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, former Minister of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation, welcomed the guests and Dr. Chung Sik Yong, President of UPF-Asia, gave the Keynote Address. He stressed two things: 1) Nepal must not think of peace for itself alone but because of its location between China and India it should seek regional peace between the communist and democratic systems based on Father Moon’s teaching about “headwing” thought that builds on the strength of both right wing and left wing, and 2) patriotism built on the qualities of public-mindedness, self-government and responsibility learned in the family.
A retired general of Nepal’s armed police, said afterwards, “It really appeals to me because you talk about bringing harmony between communism and democracy. We need that in Nepal.”
Dr. Robert Kittel gave an overview of UPF-Nepal’s activities building on the work of Father and Mother Moon and their family. He then described the highlights and outcomes of UPF’s 14 South Asia Peace Initiative programs and their correlation to Nepal’s political history.
Present were top military leaders, high-level politicians, women leaders, religious leaders, students, nationally known singers, the president of the bar association and media moguls. After the program dinner was served.
For the text of Dr. Yong's speech, click here.
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