Speeches
- Written by: Anneli Jäätteenmäki, former Prime Minister of Finland
“Women’s participation in decision making has, unfortunately, not been an area where progress has been notable. Equality in participation and decision-making in society at all levels, from grassroots to governmental positions, is important.”
- Written by: Hon. Khuon Sudary, Second Vice President, National Assembly of Cambodia
“The biggest question is not about what and how; it is about the will to bring about positive peace that paves the way for social and economic development based on rules of law and respect for universal values.”
- Written by: Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, Former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“Peace is the ground upon which sustainable development is built. It is the atmosphere in which prosperity and other virtues like love and justice and equality can blossom. This is why everybody has to volunteer to promote peace, no matter our role and status in our societies. It is for this reason that I say that women are critical stakeholders in peacebuilding.”
- Written by: Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Co-Founder, Universal Peace Federation
“We cannot express in words the horrors of wars and conflicts that have arisen repeatedly, creating religious, racial and ideological barriers throughout the 6,000 biblical years of history. In addition, because of human greed and selfishness, not only humanity but also the environment is suffering. The reality is that we can no longer be onlookers.”
- Written by: Rev. Toru Miyahara, Christian Pastor, Japan
“As I told my brothers and sisters at the WCLC Inaugural Convocation last December, I will organize a Japan Clergy Leadership Conference (JCLC) in Japan that can contribute to the development of the WCLC. JCLC will be the keystone of reconciliation among religions.”
- Written by: Neil Bush, Chairman, Points of Light Foundation & CEO, Neil Bush Global Advisors
“I often think about how amazing the path of human development has been. How a relatively weak and disorganized species that faced threats to survival by the natural elements and by fierce predators has evolved into the dominant force on earth. Humans have a unique ability to record findings, findings that are passed down from generation to generation, with know-how always advancing. The sharing of these findings have led to remarkable medical, engineering, and scientific breakthroughs.”
- Written by: Stephen Harper, former Prime Minister of Canada, 2006-2015
“I’ve been asked to speak about peace-building, and the process of peace-building, with particular emphasis on the ongoing efforts of the Trump administration and its allies to advance the cause of peace on the Korean peninsula, to prevent further nuclearization in North Korea, and to encourage the evolution of the Kim regime away from its rogue-state status.”
- Written by: Mirek Topolánek, Former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
“Human rights and freedoms are universal; a sense of perception is given to each individual – no matter in which country, in what culture and religion. When we say “human rights,” do we mean – at least in this hall – the same thing?”
- Written by: Sione Vuna Fa’otusia, Minister of Justice, Tonga
“Peace is, of course, not the end of war, but to live in harmony with each other. To be able to live in harmony is to be able to interact with one another regardless of our differences, and we cannot do that without loving each other.”
- Written by: Prophet Samuel Radebe, Revelation Church of God, South Africa
“The world illuminated by the ideals of interdependence, mutual prosperity, and universal values is one where true heaven and earth have opened its doors, with peace flowing like a river and harmony blooming everywhere.”
- Written by: H.E. Jimmy Morales, President, Guatemala
“I take the liberty of congratulating the founders of UPF because they are doing what others only talk about. They are investing their resources so that world leaders can talk but also do our part.”
- Written by: H.E. Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister, Niger
“Only by opening up to others and strengthening alliances and partnerships based on universal values will our continent be able to flourish, free the vital energy of its youth and develop its wealth.”