Address to Peace Summit 2023
May 2-5, 2023
Good day, everyone. It is an honor to be back in Korea, in another version of the summits organized by the Universal Peace Federation.
I take this opportunity to greet Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Mother Moon, on her 80th birthday and, in addition to congratulating her, thank her for the global work she has done for peace together with her husband, the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon, as founders of the Universal Peace Federation. I thank you, Mother Moon, for dedicating your life to the service of humanity and the construction of world peace. For this, we know that you are recognized as the “Mother of Peace.”
As a representative of Guatemalan culture, a country located in Central America, I would like to extend a very special greeting to you from my family and my people. According to the last population census of Guatemala carried out in 2017 and its growth projection, as of this date we are a little more than 18 million inhabitants of which 52% are women.
These statistical data confirm that it is increasingly urgent that women and men be able to participate in all economic, social and political activities with equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities. For this reason, at this World Summit, under the theme: “Contemporary Challenges for a Global Order: Towards a World Culture of Peace,” I consider it imperative to talk about women’s participation in peace issues. Then I will develop the theme “The evident and indisputable importance of women’s participation in the construction of sustainable and lasting peace.”
As a former First Lady of Guatemala, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of women involved in a society torn by violence and discrimination. Women as mothers play an important role in the formation of their children because they can inject love into them, which will allow them to tolerate, endure and forgive when necessary to avoid violent behavior and maintain peace. She must instill in them a deep respect for themselves and a love for their uniqueness. It is from there that they will be able to love their neighbor and everyone around them, regardless of creed, age, ethnicity, social position, or any other aspect or circumstance.
As sisters or friends, women can be an example and pride for their parents, brothers, friends, and society. This will give balance to the family and the different groups or unions to which they belong or participate.
As a couple, women’s role is even more significant because they become the soulmate that provides balance, complements and enables the possibility of joint development in a family. The Genesis story poetically presents that the woman was created from a rib, showing that she is on the same level as the man. She was not created from the bones of men’s skulls, so that she would not be above the man. Nor was she created from his feet bones so that she would be below. She was formed from a rib, so she would be at his side, as his partner.
Ricardo Arjona, Guatemalan singer-songwriter, in his song, “Women,” says, “They say it was a rib, I would have given my spine to see them walk.” I like this analogy because it expresses how valuable women are.
Continuing with the theme, women are often the main victims of discrimination, violence and war, so they may have a unique understanding of the issues facing their communities. Women are natural and biological caregivers, which is why we play a crucial social and cultural role in creating a more just, equitable and peaceful society.
Women participated in Guatemala’s peace signing. They have led efforts to end violence and build a more just and peaceful society. They have advocated for an end to sexual violence and discrimination, and they have also fought for justice and equal rights for all people. However, there have been many advances in this regard. In my country, as in many parts of the world, many women continue to face barriers and discrimination due to their sex, age, social class, race, ethnicity or religion. This limits their participation in political and decision-making processes.
Therefore, the promotion of women and the elimination of discrimination in all its forms is and should be an ongoing task for all until there is full equality between men and women. This is so that all can participate fairly in the processes of pacification and construction of peace in our societies and our nations.
Women must have full and open participation in decision-making and must be listened to in order to take into account their needs and concerns. In addition, we must support women in improving their capacities and leadership skills so that they can perform effectively and efficiently in peace processes. I also want to take this opportunity to pray together for the reunification of Korea, to build a peaceful and prosperous future for all. So, I propose that we join Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in this effort and work together for a more just world and a culture of world peace.
I want to thank Dr. Moon for the efforts she has made in the search for peace in Korea and around the world. It has been a difficult job, but she has never given up on her work, every day uniting more like-minded people in the fight for peace. I thank the organizers of this World Summit 2023 and especially Dr. Moon for the invitation to participate and be part of this great effort.
Blessings for all.
To go to the Peace Summit 2023 Schedule page, click here.