Tasmania, Australia - UPF hosted a seminar on "Principles for Building a Peaceful World" on June 8, 2014, as part of the UPF/University Soccer Club Project which was established in late 2013. The 17 participants, ranging in age from 12 to 89, included four soccer players and one coach.
The seminar kicked off at 9:00 am with Romilton Amaral, MC for the day, asking everyone to introduce themselves. The presenter was Rev. Rick McInerheney, UPF representative from Melbourne, who had brought his guitar and led in singing such songs as “The Times They Are a Changin.’”
Group discussions followed each lecture and at times became very animated. It was a positive, fun atmosphere, and although there was a huge range of ages, it all seemed to work well with everyone participating equally. In particular, the teenage soccer players impressed the rest of the group with their stories, apparent understanding of the principles being taught, and mature attitudes about life in general.
By the end of the seminar, participants expressed their satisfaction of the experience and desire to continue with similar exchanges in the future.