Bangkok, Thailand—In the second week of the New Year, despite our very busy schedules preparing for the World Summit in February in Korea, our regional UPF chairman, Dr. Chung-sik Yong, proposed hosting an Asian Leadership Conference (ALC). UPF has been carrying on these education initiatives monthly for the past 12 years under his leadership. The conference, having the theme “Providing Vision and Leadership for Nation Building and Peace,” was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 10 through 13, 2020.
“Continually teaching Dr Sun Myung Moon’s Principles of Peace is one of the keys to our success in the Asia-Pacific region,” according to Dr. Yong. Over the past year, there were three successful summits in the Asia-Pacific region: the Nepal Summit in December 2018, the Cambodian Summit in November 2019 and, three weeks later, the First Ladies’ Summit in Palau.
The conference was attended by 66 participants from eight nations: 30 from Cambodia, nine from China, six from Thailand, five each from Vietnam and Malaysia, four each from Myanmar and Nepal, and three from Australia.
The delegates participating in this three-day event represented the highest levels of government and civil society. They included the president of the World Mandaean Congress, deputy governors, university professors, government officers, a medical doctor, as well as business and religious leaders.
On the second full day couples rededicated their marriages to God and to each other through the Interfaith Peace Blessing Festival. There were 14 couples attending this celebration.
Reflections:
This is one of the greatest organizations in the world. Father Moon and Mother Moon are heroes of the world. UPF will surely lead the world one day. I hope it is very soon. I am so glad to be here. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, thank you very much. We will work together!
Mr. Fouad Sobbi, Australia
First of all, all delegates from Cambodia are grateful to UPF for having attended this conference… .Peace is very important. Without peace, there is no development… Living for the sake of others means we need to willingly sacrifice for the sake of others… and f.ollow the law of one husband and one wife.
H.E. Ham Rithy, Cambodia
I’m very grateful to have been invited here… .During these two days I learned so much. This is exactly what I’m look for; it is beyond religion and race. I want to take this back to Beijing and share with others.
Mr. Chai Yongjun, China
I almost didn’t come. Two days before, I felt Father Moon called me… .True Love needs sacrifice and it has to be unconditional… .I got a new family here… .Good people [like the UPF members] are hard to find so we should always appreciate them. Thank you, Dr. Yong.
Dato Gopi Nathan Arunachalam, Malaysia
This seminar opened my vision to a new worldview. It made me feel something that I never felt or imagined before… the meaning of peace. It comes from sacrifice. “Give and forget what you’ve given.” Wow.
Dr. Jaturong Ekawatpanich, Thailand
Dear teachers, all presentations touched our hearts. The family of true love comes from living for the sake of others… .We want to have the next ALC in Vietnam in February and say hello to UPF in our country. [After the reflection all Vietnamese participants sang a song and danced together.]
Ms. Dang Thi Ngoc Thu, Vietnam