Montevideo, Uruguay—UPF-Argentina sponsored a panel discussion on the “Role of Latin American Women to Achieve Peace” and a “Bridge of Peace” ceremony, organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace’s (WFWP) Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil chapters. The program took place on November 5, 2016 at UPF-Uruguay’s Peace Embassy building, a former Argentinian embassy and national historic monument, in Montevideo, Uruguay, and was also sponsored by the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)-Uruguay, an affiliated organization.
For more than 20 years, WFWP has organized “Bridge of Peace” ceremonies to promote reconciliation among women of different nationalities, cultures and faiths.
UPF-Argentina’s delegation comprised of various Ambassadors for Peace, including pastor Alba Rosa Contardo, a member of UPF-Argentina’s Peace Council.
Ms. Contardo shared this summary of the event:
Ms. Rosetta Conti de Castellón, president of WFWP-Argentina, organized our trip to Montevideo, the location of this wonderful meeting of women from different countries that seeks to advance global peace. The event was a good opportunity to meet our Uruguayan peers and build relationships with Brazil’s delegation.
We arrived early in the morning and, after having breakfast with the other delegations, went to the Peace Embassy, where we were welcomed by Mrs. Elena da Silva Méndez, a member of FFWPU-Uruguay
After lunch was the main event. The journalist María Rosa Neme, president of WFWP-Uruguay, gave the welcoming remarks, which were followed by messages, given by Hyunjoo Park de Tsusaka and Ms. Elena da Silva Méndez.
A video about WFWP-Uruguay’s activities was shown. Afterwards, the presidents of FFWPU-Uruguay and of UPF-Uruguay, Rev. Kazuhiro Tsusaka and Mr. Raúl Rey Banegas, gave speeches. I was asked to share a message on behalf of the Argentinian delegation, and read a poem I had written.
Then, the panel discussion, which was moderated by the teacher Solange Vignale, began. Among the speakers were public relations and communications consultant Patricia Karina Pitaluga and Ms. Ivette del Río, both Ambassadors for Peace from Argentina; Ms. Rosimeri Brito da Silva from Brazil; and communications specialist and businesswoman Mabel Romero and teacher Susana Mangana, both from Uruguay.
After a short break, the “Bridge of Peace” sisterhood ceremony commenced with a message, given by Ms. Ezzat Ferabolli, president of WFWP-South America. Another speaker was Ms. Cui Yulan, president of WFWP-Brazil. Ms. Castellón explained the significance of the ceremony.
At the end, everyone enjoyed lunch and musical performances, including a performance by a traditional Chinese dance group from Brazil. This was an event of sisterhood, love, and peace.