Speeches
- Written by: Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, President, UPF
The history of war and conflict over the centuries has had its effect on the respective attitudes of Europeans and Russians toward one another. These experiences give rise to a mutual and reasonable distrust of one another, rooted in historical memory. Indeed, there are challenges standing in the way of better relations. Nevertheless I remain hopeful.
- Written by: Walter Schwimmer, Former Secretary General, Council of Europe (1999-2004)
Russia was always a part of Europe, and Europe's historical and cultural identity would not be complete without Russia's contribution to it. Today, after the tragic experiences of the 20th century, we have the chance for the first time to create a peaceful Europe without dividing lines. Regarding Russia, this is of course not a one-way street. Both sides have to deliver. But while Russia has to complete its transition into a member of the European family of democracies, the other part of Europe has to accept the new Russia as a partner with equal rights and equal opportunities.
- Written by: Sergei Nechaev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Austria
Russia is open for dialogue on human rights, but, again, this should be a dialogue among equal partners who are willing to listen and hear the arguments of each other. It should be a dialogue free from bias, political preferences, and double standards.
- Written by: Sergei Kuchinsky, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Council of the Assembly of the Peoples of Russia
In the modern era of globalization, it is impossible to reach understanding without dialogue; without mutual understanding no cooperation can be productive. Therefore, with the expanding globalization and growing ethnic and cultural diversity in the world, we need to pursue compromise in inter-civilizational and intercultural dialogues and promote a peacekeeping consciousness in our communities.
- Written by: Irina Borisovna Orlova, Ph.D., Professor, Institute of Social and Political Research, Russian Academy of Sciences
The conclusions of European scientists and politicians about the need to choose other approaches to integrating ethnic minorities that are not based on the concept of multiculturalism in order to prevent the splitting of society could be applied to Russia. As for practical recommendations, we should focus on the fact that in both European states and Russia there is a basic culture that unites different segments of society and formulate the idea of a protected identity, a common language, preserving the majority that will consolidate the state.
- Written by: A.S. Azimov, Ambassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia
Russia has firm intentions to move forward on a visa-free track with the EU, and our nation is ready to solve all technical aspects of this urgent problem. It is now the EU's turn to demonstrate their political will in favor of cancelling visas and confirming the real strategic character of our partner relations.
- Written by: Jacques Marion, Secretary General, UPF-Eurasia
Not long ago, before Rev. Sun Myung Moon passed away, he encouraged our two UPF chapters of Europe and Eurasia to hold joint meetings, emphasising the fact that Europe and Russia have a common destiny and a joint responsibility for global peace in the 21st century. As it occurs, Russia’s recent access to the World Trade Organization will certainly open up a whole new potential in bilateral relations.
- Written by: Nikolai Komarov, Director of the Moscow House of Nationalities
Since the population of Moscow includes people of more than 166 ethnic groups, the Moscow House of Nationalities was established in 1998. This was the first public institution established for interaction with the national communities of the Russian Federation.
- Written by: Dr. Yong Cheon Song, Chair, UPF-Europe
Father Moon had both a very clear vision for how he felt the UN could increase its effectiveness as a global peacemaker and, perhaps even more importantly, as to how individuals and non-governmental bodies could most effectively contribute to world peace.
- Written by: Ronki Ram, Professor of Contemporary India Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands
Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon will be remembered passionately by the coming generations for his concerted efforts towards building a viable peace and harmony in the world. He was, in fact, an angel of peace, family unity, and interfaith dialogue who invented new traditions and ways to organize universal gatherings of diverse religions/faiths in the contemporary world both within the forums of the UN and without for the sole purpose of learning the basic lessons of living together harmoniously and with compassion for one and all. Father Moon was not an armchair philosopher who philosophized idyllically in the realm of mere dreams and thoughts, but a karmayogi (a man of action) who firmly believed in practical actions now and here in the real world of our day-to-day existence.
- Written by: Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, President, UPF International
Interfaith should be viewed as a relevant and important instrument of soft power. Interfaith dialogue and cooperation may also be an effective instrument of “track II” or “multi-track diplomacy.” If religion is your enemy, it still may be wise to keep your enemy near. If religion is your friend, then cultivate that friendship.
- Written by: Dr. Nurit Hirschfeld, Doctor of Rabbinic Literature, Achva College, Beersheva, Israel
So far, interfaith dialogues have been usually focusing on getting to know better one another’s faith; such interfaith dialogues have reached their limitations. They are important as a stage of growth, but after reaching this level, we can and should go beyond it. We should reach unity in heart, we should learn to embrace one another, and more than that we should learn to live for the sake of the other religions.