Moscow, Russia - On Dec. 15, 2013, when many people’s minds were drawn to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the memorial service for Nelson Mandela Rolilahla – a man of global impact who in South Africa was called the father of the nation – UPF-Russia and the Youth Initiative Group gathered that evening in commemoration of Nelson Mandela. It was an opportunity for Russians to wholeheartedly offer gratitude, attention and respect to this great man.
B
y his living example, Nelson Mandela demonstrated the qualities that enabled him to transform the world. Despite the vicissitudes in his life, he was able to forgive, trust and love, starting from scratch again and again, bringing goodness and hope, walking steadily toward his goal aimed at achieving benefit for all mankind. Indeed, he was the one unbowed.
The film "Invictus" helped everyone to recollect the life and greatness of Nelson Mandela, the protagonist of the film that portrayed events of 1995 in South Africa. A minute of silence before the film began helped people tune into the rhythm of Nelson Mandela’s life and identify with his feelings and sufferings throughout the picture.
Among the audience there were Ambassadors for Peace, Young Ambassadors for Peace, students, families and other interested people united by a common desire to gain inspiration from Nelson Mandela and be recharged with his vitality, his resilient optimism and his absolute faith that helped him through the ordeal and triumph.
Afterwards, the host of the evening, Dmitry Samko, Secretary General of UPF-Moscow, invited the audience to share their impressions of the film, and people began to willingly express their opinions.
A Young Ambassador for Peace and President of the Eurasian Club of Young Ambassadors for Peace, Marat Shafigullin reminded the audience about the impact of Mandela on world politics, citing many historical events to support this statement.
Svetlana Rodionova, a representative of the Youth Initiative Group, recalled the famous words repeated by Nelson Mandela ("I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul ") that inspire people to action and call upon them to move steadily towards the goal of realizing their dream to improve the welfare of all mankind.
Maria Oleinikova, a Young Ambassador for Peace, emphasized the importance of Nelson Mandela’s team, friends and partners in his life, without whom it would be impossible to achieve such results. Indeed, his vitality, force of justice, enthusiasm and desire to give love and attention to all without exception attracted to Nelson Mandela people of any age, status and skin color.
One of the most wonderful words came from the lips of the guest of honor, a veteran of the Korean War and Ambassador for Peace, Vladimir Arsenkin, who called Nelson Mandela "the man of the epoch" who completely overturned the old dogmas concerning human rights and freedoms, restored peace and harmony in the hearts of people and marked the beginning of a new history of humankind. His sincere efforts and sacrifices on behalf of others will never lose their value, because all of his activities in rallying both the black and white population, settle conflicts, pacify wars and eliminate misunderstandings laid the foundation for the future peace and prosperity of all future generations.
Dmitry Samko drew an analogy between the life of Nelson Mandela and the life of UPF founder Dr. Sun Myung Moon, who passed away in Sept.2012 at the age of 92. Dr. Moon established numerous public, religious and business organizations, and with his wife, Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon,devoted himself unselfishly to establishing peace and unity on the planet. They have organized many projects aimed at creating "One World Family under God."
Such people leave their mark on history beсause their life is truly priceless. Having gone through the trials, they became pioneers of a new road leading humanity to new realms of solidarity, faith and love.