FOLLOW US
Peace Education
UPF organizes seminars and conferences that present core values and universal principles of peacebuilding.
-
Peace Education
-
Global Peace Initiative Launched in Japan
- Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saitama, Japan - The Universal Peace Federation in Japan began a new year of activities with an International Leadership Conference, service projects, and a huge convention in Saitama.
-
Peace Education
-
Ambassadors for Peace Report on Peace Summit
- Tuesday, February 17, 2009
On February 17, UPF Peru held its first meeting after delegates returned from the New York Conference. A representative cross section of Peruvian society gathered together in the Federation’s headquarters in Lima to hear reports from the conference participants.
-
Peace Education
-
Expanding Educational Opportunities in Ecuador
- Tuesday, February 3, 2009
At the National Congress of the Republic of Ecuador, the Autonomous University of Quito held a ceremony to confer doctorate degrees, organized by an Assembly member who is a bishop of the Anglican Church.
-
Peace Education
-
Rev. Sun Myung Moon Celebrates 90th Birthday in New York – and Seoul
- Sunday, February 1, 2009
New York, USA - The Founder of the Universal Peace Federation, the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, celebrated his 90th birthday on January 31st at the historic Hammerstein Ballroom with more than 3,700 religious, diplomatic and community leaders.
-
Peace Education
-
Peace Summit Group Focuses on Rights
- Sunday, February 1, 2009
New York, USA - The path to peace will be impossible to navigate without a more caring brand of capitalism, democracy, expanded human rights and the rule of law, said speakers at a "World Summit for Peace" on January 30.
-
Peace Education
-
Reflections on Peace and Development in the Americas
- Saturday, January 31, 2009
Relations between the US and Latin America have always been important, but there are challenges. There is a segment of Latin America unsympathetic to the US, based on perceptions that the US has been aloof and self-serving. As well, some countries are moving away from democracy. Clearly we see a need for better communications between north and south. There is also a need for increased cooperation on development issues, including from broad interfaith cooperation. The following excerpts were from the World Summit on Peace session that examined prospects for a north-south association for the study of issues of the Americas, encouraging democracy and the well-being of all people.
Democracy and the Current Crisis
By Julio Sanguinetti, President of Uruguay, 1985-1990, 1995-2000
We all know that it is easier to have good dialogue, political relationships, and social life in times of prosperity. Now, we are going to experience a time of tension. Unemployment is rising in the US, Europe, and the Americas. This is very serious because all normal social values have been questioned. We have to look at this crisis from our perspective and an inter-American perspective:
In Latin America we are not experts in normal situations, but we are quite expert in crisis situations. And on various occasions we have had to apply all these solutions we are hearing about.
The crisis cannot be solved by the US, Europe, or China acting alone. The crisis, it is true, originated in the US, but it became universal, and consequently, only multilateral solutions can address the situation. Latin America cannot come out of this without the US, and the US cannot come out of this without the rest of the world.
The biggest responsibility of the new US president is to start regulating the US market and try to balance its finances. That will already be a contribution. Secondly, he has to establish the mechanisms of dialogue so Europe, Japan, China, and Latin America can cope with the situation together.
And fortunately, now we are speaking not only about the big G-7 nations but also the G-22 nations, which include three Latin Americans nations — Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. A new balance has to be generated.
Peace in the Americas
By Dr. Oscar Alvarez Araya, Professor, National University of Costa Rica
Much has been said about the issues that make harmony between North and South more difficult. But in our quest for peace, we have much in common:
• A great continent territory with huge human and natural resources.
• Values, principles and institutions based on freedom and democracy.
• Christian values, even though with different nuances in the North and South.
• An inter-American system of institutions based on the values and principles of freedom, justice, democracy, peace, human rights, the rule of the law, and sustainable development.
Peaceful coexistence, dialogue, communication, cooperation at the government level, both bilateral and multilateral, have to be promoted. Dialogue, communication, and cooperation among the civil organizations is essential for stable development, prosperity, democracy, human rights, the rule of law, ethics in public positions and a democratic good governance.
The Universal Peace Federation has been making some of the greatest contributions to dialogue and cooperation between North and South America of any NGOs.
We are building an Internet-based Inter American think tank that will incubate ideas that can become public policies and civic initiatives. We will promote civil society cooperation throughout the Americas based on universal principles that come from the different religions. Our mission will be to generate innovative political ideas and civic solutions in areas such as peace-building, freedom, democracy, and human rights. We will work also to strengthen the family, develop character education, and promote a culture of service in the Americas in order to advance the UN Millennium Development Goals.
Building a Global Culture of Service
By Catalina Soberanis Reyes, Political Advisor, UN Development Program, Guatemala
We must combat the real threats posed today to international security: exclusion, poverty, rural decline, environmental degradation, new pandemics, and arms and drug trafficking. We need to overcome inequalities and to stop the spiral that makes the poor poorer and the rich richer.
It is necessary to promote lifelong education and vocational training and to foster scientific and technological development so that each country may become the architect of its own destiny. It is also necessary to facilitate urban rehabilitation as well as rural development.
Finally, it is necessary to ensure respect for the law and freedom of expression, the independent functioning of justice, and the realization of democratic principles in everyday life.
Those purposes can only be achieved if we build a new culture: a global culture of rights and responsibilities, a culture of accountability, a culture of service, even a culture of love.
The UPF is advocating the formation of a "global service corps," a new cross-sector international alliance to promote peace and reduce global poverty by growing and nurturing a global culture of service. In Guatemala, for example, we have benefited from the Religious Youth Service work in Santiago Atitlan, an indigenous village, and in urban areas. We think that young people have time, idealism, and courage to do the hard tasks.
But volunteerism does not only refer to young people nor does it grow by itself. We are all responsible to build a better world. Adults should work in volunteerism, giving a good example themselves. Working globally and locally, we will have the capacity to transform threats and difficulties into challenges, cooperation, and growth.
It's Time to Achieve Peace
By Rev. Paul A. Murray, President, Vision Ministries International
The world is looking for leadership to bring us out of the economic, political, and religious conflicts that are besieging us on every front. No one world leader can do this. No political mechanism can sustain this weight of such change, for our history is filled with the rise and fall of many kingdoms.
We have conflict and crisis within our homes, our communities, our nations, and around the world. Is there any hope? I believe with all of my heart that this is a time of great opportunity for all of humanity to move from conflict to resolution, from hatred to peace, from war to love. As a minister of the Gospel, I along with people of many faiths represented in this room, serve a loving God who cares and gives guidance, wisdom, and discernment to His people. A global service alliance has been birthed for such a time as this.
This global service alliance is positioned to ensure that the changes that are most important are brought to light with an understanding that no peace can come from one individual, but by each of us locking arm in arm, picking up shovels, serving on the food lines, distributing clothes and medical supplies. If we do all within our means and with our personal and professional resources, this great alliance can usher in a genuine realization of peace and prosperity for all of mankind.
-
Peace Education
-
Conference Speakers Promote a New Paradigm of Leadership
- Saturday, January 31, 2009
Universal Peace Federation objectives include support for partnerships among religions, governments and civil society to foster peace and development. UPF seeks to articulate a framework of universal values necessary to sustain such partnerships and calls the UN to serve as the appropriate global forum. The following excerpts are from speakers at the 2009 World Summit on Peace articulating these themes.
-
Peace Education
-
Planting Seeds of Hope in Tucumán
- Wednesday, January 28, 2009
San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina - A festival was held on Jan. 28, 2009, in San Miguel de Tucumán, called the "Birthplace of Independence" and the "Garden of the Republic" because of its historical significance.
-
Peace Education
-
Promoting "One Family under God" in Peru
- Monday, January 26, 2009
Lima, Peru - In the week ending Jan. 25, 2009, people inspired by the vision of "one family under God" visited the Peruvian Congress, cleaned streets and enriched the lives of people in the poorest districts of Lima.
-
Peace Education
-
Festival in Chile Promotes the Ideal of One Family Under God
- Saturday, January 24, 2009
Lampa, Chile - The Universal Peace Federation in Chile conducted a festival on January 24, 2009, in the city of Lampa, about 15 miles north of the capital of Santiago. The event was organized with only three weeks preparation and was small but successful, with enthusiastic participation from the city mayor, Mrs. Carolina Ortuzar, and several other local authorities. In addition, several prominent Chilean UPF Ambassadors for Peace were present in the event. The event was sponsored and organized by the joint efforts of UPF Chile and the Municipality of Lampa.
-
Peace Education
-
A Joyful Feast of Love at a Taipei Peace Conference
- Monday, January 19, 2009
The Asia-Pacific region has gradually become the new center of human civilization in the 21st century with its active economic and cultural development. On January 16-19, 2009, UPF-Taiwan chapter sponsored the “2009 Asia-Pacific International Leadership Conference” in the Grant Hotel in Taipei.
-
Peace Education
-
An Equal Place in Trinidad for Every Creed and Race
- Friday, January 16, 2009
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago - Between the festivities of Christmas past and Carnival coming, the Universal Peace Federation managed to catch the attention of Trinidadians for a moment in January. A speech event, entitled “Good Governance and True Families” was held in the formal intimacy of the Council Chamber, City Hall, Port-of-Spain, capital of Trinidad, on January 15th, attended by more than 40 people, including the Ambassador of Costa Rica, the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor of Port-of-Spain, several district councillors, as well as religious and social leaders.
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. |