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N. Marquezelli: Address to World Summit 2019
Written by Hon. Nelson Marquezelli, Congressman, President, IAPP-Brazil
Friday, February 8, 2019
Address to World Summit 2019, Seoul, Korea, February 7–11, 2019
I wish to greet you all, my noble colleagues, at this 2019 World Summit, whose theme is "Facing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values."
I would like to make a special acknowledgment of the delegation from my country, Brazil, as well as those who are here from South America and Latin America. As you know, geographically, we're on the other side of the world. However, today, we can say that we live in a common home, which is the planet Earth, and the same problems you face here on the Korean Peninsula, we also face in our countries.
I also want to thank UPF International and Dr. Thomas Walsh, who has been able to bring together the best and most idealistic leaders in the world, from the most different areas, to discuss the current situation of our world and to find solutions.
The work of UPF is probably due to the vision of Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon, who have taught that humankind is one large family under God, and that the problems of others are also my problems, and that the only way to a solution is to unite and strive for the common good. Peace is a common good, security is a common good and human development is a common good.
Perhaps in our countries we do not have a situation parallel to situation in Korea, with all its consequences of suffering and tensions, but we can have other forms that divide our societies, which may be cultural, ideological, political, economic or environmental in nature.
And it all depends on the bias from which these problems are observed or faced. However, it is true that today we can no longer think locally, or only nationally. We have to think bigger; we have to think about solutions from a global perspective. That is why I believe in this UPF International initiative that seeks, through dialogue and cooperation, to find alternatives to the different crises we face.
One aspect of the UPF that I consider vital is the emphasis on spirituality, regardless of how God is conceived by each one of us. The UPF believes that there will be no complete and final solution without including God in the equation.
The UPF also emphasizes the value of the family, as the cell of society. The family must be rooted in moral and ethical values, which must also be the guiding values of a healthy society.
UPF has created a global network of Ambassadors for Peace. I was the first Ambassador for Peace to be appointed in Brazil, and I am sure many of those of you who are present here are also part of this team.
In 2017, I presided over the launch of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in my country's National Congress, which was attended by 34 of my fellow parliamentarians. I know that this is another UPF activity that involves people and organizations in building a culture of peace. There is a global network of Ambassadors for Peace today, sowing the good seeds of harmony and bringing peaceful solutions to problems. But, we need even more people to form a global task force for peace that can bring substantial results in the area of peace, including influencing education for peace in our schools because the biggest changes we can experience can come through education.
There are many things to be said, but time does not allow it.
Thank you again for the opportunity to be here at an event of this magnitude. It is my sincere desire that we can find solutions that can serve the cause of all humanity.
Thank you very much.
To go to the 2019 World Summit Schedule page, click here.