Lisbon, Portugal—A UPF-Portugal delegation had a meeting with Professor Paulo Mendes Pinto to introduce him to UPF and its activities.
The delegation, which included the national UPF president, Dr. Sérgio Vieira, were introduced to Professor Mendes Pinto by the vice president of the Hindu Community of Lisbon, Dr. Ajit Hansraj.
Professor Mendes Pinto is the executive general director of the Committee of Academic High Council (Lusophone University Group), the coordinator of the Science of Religions department at Lusophone University, an ambassador of the World Parliament of Religions, and the founder of the European Academy of Religions.
During the meeting, which took place on January 5, 2020, he confirmed that he had received misleading information about UPF founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. However, he expressed the desire to truly know about his life, work and teachings.
Although Professor Mendes Pinto showed a great desire to participate in the World Summit 2020 in Korea, he had to decline the invitation because he already was committed to preside at the third Lusophone Congress of the Science of Religions, which would take place from January 31 to February 5 (on almost the same dates as the World Summit).
The UPF delegation presented Professor Mendes Pinto with the autobiography of Reverend Moon and gave him an introduction to the principles and work of UPF. At the end of the meeting he offered the possibility of a future partnership between the Lusophone University and UPF in organizing a post-graduate course on peace, as well as the possibility of working together in implementing the UPF Character Education program.
This meeting revealed how much his work and principles are in harmony with those of UPF and opened the doors to a precious future collaboration in the religious and academic field in Portugal.