Speeches
- Written by: Lady Carla Davis, wife of the late former Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Sir Thomas Davis
- Written by: Maria Luisa Vargas, Executive Director, UPF-USA Office for the Coordination of Hispanic Affairs
A culture of peace can only be achieved by a culture of heart. A culture of heart is living for the sake of others. It is living for the sake of the whole. It is a culture where in all aspects of society, from businesses, academia, the government, civil society, the media, and entertainment are geared for the sake of the whole.
- Written by: A.S. Abdul Santoe, The Netherlands
Peaceful coexistence is prescribed not only to Muslims but also to the global community as a whole. Under the specific circumstances of the time and the existing culture, one would expect a system destined to improve the conditions of only the Bedouin tribes in their desolate habitat. The Quranic revelations, however, contain not only expressions on themes of local trade, commerce, and the concerns of the simple communities in those barren areas but also invocations of exalted spiritual and global values directed to all of mankind.
- Written by: Vijay Mehta President, VM Centre for Peace Chair, Uniting for Peace, UK
Development taken as a human right has major implications for the states that recognise it as such and also for international institutions for cooperation between developed and developing countries. A rights-based development implies that all development has to be based on equity, non-discrimination and a participatory transparent process with identified and accountable stakeholders.
- Written by: Fred Sherman, Host, Nexus Africa Radio Program
Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths as part of a diverse, cosmopolitan Canadian family! But, we cannot always dwell on the developmental strains of the past. Rather we must acknowledge past mistakes, embrace the present, and execute pragmatically for the future.
- Written by: H.E. Edda Mukabagwiza, High Commissioner of Rwanda to Canada
I appreciate what Universal Peace Federation is doing to work for peace. It is an appeal to everybody to have and make peace. But you will agree with me that, with all my respect to all peace warriors, that to be successful in bringing peace, in making peace for others, you need peace in your heart, peace in your family, peace in your neighborhood, peace in your community. For you cannot give what you don’t have!
- Written by: Oscar E.V. Fernando, former member, Sri Lanka Human Rights Task Force; Director of Finance/Administration, Sri Lanka Foundation
Welcoming migrants from the so-called developing countries may be viewed in the perspective of solidarity and subsidiary altruism, and with a show of oneness in humanity under One Godhead.
- Written by: Sharon Slater, President, Family Watch International
The answer to many world problems is quite simple—strengthen the institution of the family. Governments have a huge interest in protecting the family.
- Written by: H.E. Alpha Ibrahima Sow, Permanent Representative, Republic of Guinea to the United Nations
- Written by: H.E. Miss Alya Ahmed S. Al-Thani, Permanent Mission of Qatar to the UN
Qatar will continue its advocacy for the promotion and protection of the family as the basic unit of society, and to promote a culture of partnership based on consensus and common grounds.
- Written by: Mr. Patrick Vandi, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children's Affairs, Sierra Leone
The family constitutes the basic unit of society and therefore deserves special attention. Hence, the widest possible protection and assistance should be accorded to families so that they may fully assume their responsibilities within the community.
- Written by: Lic. José Bilbao Richter, Former Member, Global Peace Council
When we Argentine people think of the May 1810 Revolution – which began with a historic six-year process of hard and bloody struggles and ended with our “Declaration of Independence from the Catholic Kings of Spain, their metropolis and from any other type of foreign domination” – we do it from different viewpoints: from merely emotional view, the historic, bureaucratic, festive, or institutional ones, or just from a vested political interest. Nevertheless, we avoid any type of analytic effort which prevents us from grasping the true meaning of this historical event and understanding its rectifying ideas and its enormous richness.