Speeches
- Written by: Qamrul Khanson, UPF - Canada, Central District
All humans born in this world are of identical flesh, blood, bone, and soul. We need this to live, and any diminishment of the first three causes us to physically fade. What differentiates us in this worldly life are our shape, strength, and attitude. The most formidable aspect of our life is our attitude toward others and our actions arising out of that attitude.
- Written by: Qamrul A. Khanson, Secretary, author, Canada
The events of 9/11 have had a significant impact on Muslims in Canada, as did the arrest of 18 Muslim youths allegedly involved in a terror training camp in June 2006. The community as a whole saw such incidents as a threat to their acceptance and integration, but they remain confident of security and justice while making Canada as their home. That terrorism was a threat in Canada was a revelation to the whole community. After almost four years of psychological wrangling over the threats and repercussion, today the community is united against any sort of terrorism that makes them and their fellow citizens victims.
- Written by: Dr. Golam Dastagir, Visiting Research Scholar, University of Toronto, Canada
- Written by: Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, UPF-International Chairman
Congratulations on the 7th Annual Ambassadors for Peace Banquet. I especially want to commend the recipients of the Excellence in Leadership Award and the newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace. You are members of a distinguished group of people who are seeking to promote a unified world of peace. As Ambassadors for Peace you have joined the world’s largest and most divers network of peace leaders, representing the religious, racial and ethnic diversity of the human family, as well as all disciplines of human endeavor.
- Written by: Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, International Chairman, UPF
It is my fundamental conviction that an ideal world of peace and unity cannot be established by human effort alone. It requires faith. To build a world of peace, we need to elevate our faith to a higher level and learn to see each other with our spiritual eyes, eyes of love and acceptance. Only then can we build One Family under God by receiving the marriage blessing and forming families of peace centered on the true love of God.
- Written by: Lauarent Ladouce
The Pakxe Project advocates a culture of peace in South East Asia. It was drafted in 1996 and legitimated by the UNESCO declaration of the period 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace: in line with the concerns of UNESCO, it offers an alternative model to the clash of civilizations.
- Written by: K.V. Rajan, Former Ambassador of India to Nepal
Nepal is crying out for leadership with vision, governance, with sensitivity, an environment free of violence and instability. It also needs a minimum of trust between various groups who were until recently fighting each other—principally the Army and the Maoists—but who now simply have to work together in order to create a new Nepal. The UPF must lead international efforts to create that kind of conducive environment through new peace initiatives. The road map must naturally be a combination of idealism and realism.
- Written by: Hamilton Green, J.P, Mayor of Georgetown Former Prime Minister of Guyana
I am confident that this convocation in Korea on marriage and family will inspire us all to work tirelessly so that the balance of this 21st Century will be characterized by wholesome marriages, loving families, and therefore peace.
- Written by: Dr. Robert Kittel, Director of Peace Education, UPF-Asia
- Written by: Rt. Hon. Madhav Kumar Nepal, Prime Minister of Nepal, 2009-2011
Nepal is in the midst of a historic transition of great significance. After the major political parties including the Maoists agreed to sign a Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end a decade-long insurgency and re-establish democracy in the country in 2006, the country has come a long way in its most crucial political transformation in its history.
- Written by: By Rev. Dr. Joong Hyun Pak, Dean, World Peace Academy, Seoul, Korea
Can religion and religious leaders contribute to disarmament? You have all heard the quote, “Nations shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” It can be found in one of the oldest religious books.
- Written by: Dr. V. Mohini Giri, Chair, Guild of Service, India
It is often assumed that women’s participation is centered on women participating in decision making around ‘issues of gender equality’ only. Furthermore, and aside from the obvious fact that attaining gender equality is not and should not be the sole responsibility of women, this assumption ignores one of the primary driving forces for women who advocated for a Security Council Resolution on Women, Peace and Security. That is, women have a vital and a significant role and a right to participate in decision making on all matters of peace and security. That includes women taking a stand and having a say on disarmament and ending militarization. That includes women standing up and having their voices heard to end military coups.