Sydney, Australia—The bimonthly meeting of Australian Ambassadors for Peace focused on the theme “Creating a Culture of Peace through Art.”
More than 70 Ambassadors for Peace, UPF supporters, members and guests attended the meeting on Easter Monday, April 6, 2015, at the Oceania Peace Embassy in Sydney.
Aila Willitts, president of the Australian branch of UPF sister organization Women’s Federation for World Peace, was the emcee.
Aboriginal elder Ciaron Dunn began the meeting with an Acknowledgment of Country. Then Greg Stone, regional secretary general of UPF-Oceania, spoke on the “Theory of Art” based on teachings of UPF Founder Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
Guest speaker Marcelle Mansour, a well-known Australian artist, writer, poet, journalist and publisher, spoke about her contemporary artwork, “Threshold,” which uses light for healing, renewal, birth and the promotion of world peace. Several of her artworks were prominently displayed on the stage, with the hall deliberately dimmed throughout the evening to showcase the light effects. Her background is from the Palestinian area of Gaza, and from this homeland of conflict and suffering she could aspire to promote healing. She noted that the word “gauze” (used universally in the bandaging of wounds) originates from her birthplace.
The attendees were then treated to the UPF youth performing the Beatles’ classic song “Let It Be.”
As always, the evening featured the sharing of food and good company with like-minded people of goodwill irrespective of backgrounds, ethnicity and religion.