FOLLOW US
Peace Education
UPF-Germany Hosts “Peace Road” Event
Written by Gregor Sattler, UPF-Bonn
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Düsseldorf, Germany—Nearly 50 UPF supporters walked or bicycled in a “Peace Road” event in one of Germany’s largest cities.
Joy, new hope and confidence were all tangible from the very beginning, as the participants of the “Peace Road” event of September 25, 2021, gathered at various starting points.
Most of the participants set out from the Rhine River terraces and walked to the parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia state, while a smaller group on bicycles covered a longer distance starting from Kaiserswerth Pier.
It was wonderful to be together in person after the COVID restrictions of 2020 and 2021; to greet old friends and new, and to see for the first time the babies who not only had been born in the previous 18 months but already had learned to walk.
People from many countries, worldviews and religions—adults, toddlers, young people and seniors—all were bringing the motto of the event one step closer to reality. Wearing white “Peace Road” T-shirts, the participants drew much attention from passers-by as they distributed small “Peace Road” flags and leaflets.
Right on time, to start off the walk, bright sunshine chased away the clouds and accompanied the whole event.
The location that UPF-Düsseldorf leaders Anja and Sergio Brina chose for the closing remarks was very symbolic—a civic park very near the state parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia, right beside a memorial with a segment of the Berlin Wall. And the time was the day before the German general election!
After Sergio Brina offered welcoming remarks, the participants listened to talks from the following speakers:
- Frank Bernhardt, the pastor of the Old Lutheran Church;
- Joachim Reuter, an economist and author;
- Ender Eker, chairman of the Mihr Foundation for North Rhine-Westphalia;
- Estelle Belong-Smrtnikova, representing Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), an organization that is affiliated with UPF;
- Herbert Beyer, also representing FFWPU.
The speakers highlighted different aspects of the “Peace Road” initiative, such as historical developments in a once-divided Germany and in today’s Korea. They also noted the incredible contributions that “Peace Road” founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon have made toward world peace. Contributions made by people of goodwill from different religions toward peaceful cooperation and the realization of a one-world family centered on God were also recognized.
The speakers received much applause from the participants, as did the musical contribution of Heidi Wakayama of FFWPU.
(Translated from German by Catriona Valenta.)
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Sri Lanka
UPF-Sri Lanka ‘Peace Road’ Reaches Mountain Peak
Matale, Sri Lanka—A hike to the majestic Riverston peak in the Knuckles Mountain Range was the “Peace Road” event.
Mexico
UPF-Mexico Hosts 6th Peace Road Program
Mexico City, Mexico—The 6th edition of Peace Road in Mexico was held at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
Mexico
UPF-Mexico Holds Peace Road 2023 Event to Commemorate UN International Day of Friendship
Mexico City, Mexico—A Peace Road event, “One Heart Rolling for Peace,” was held in commemoration of the UN International Day of Friendship.