Speeches
- Written by: Rabbi Sam Thurgood, Beit Midrash Morasha, South Africa
“Mandela had an incredible eye toward nation-building, as we heard, to treasure every person and to make every person, every sector of society feel that they were treasured and that they were valued. The Torah tells us that human beings are created in the image of God, that every human being has a divine value and a godly spark. It is one thing to say that. It is one thing to believe it, but it is another thing to treat each person, to treat each community, to treat those different from you as if they are indeed created in the image of God and as such they are indeed worthy of the great reverence and respect that the Torah tells us to give to them.”
- Written by: Dr. Tageldin Hamad, Vice President, UPF International
“The development of UPF indicates a growing acknowledgement and trust and appreciation for the work of UPF at the United Nations and around the world.”
- Written by: Hon. Chief Zwelivelile Mandela, Minister of Chiefs, Royal House of Mandela, and Member of Parliament, South Africa
“Madiba, the freedom fighter, Madiba the negotiator, Madiba the campaigner, Madiba the victor, Madiba the president, Madiba the elder statesman, Madiba the icon, Madiba the saint—we honor him in all these ways as one whose life and legacy is always on the lips of millions, one whose life is a mirror of what is best in us and all humanity, one whose life holds lessons for all, regardless of status, stature, gender and social standing.”
- Written by: Moruti Ledwaba, FFWPU, South Africa
“The theme of the Interfaith Peace Blessing Festival is strengthening the family, rebuilding the nation and creating a world of peace. For those of us who worked with Father and Mother Moon for many years, you are aware that if there is anything they speak about continuously, it is the restoration of the family. Father Moon’s philosophy of peace is that peace starts at home.”
- Written by: Adama Doumbia, Secretary General, UPF-Africa
“We had the first Africa Summit in January of this year in Dakar…. In order to advance and follow the Dakar declaration, it is appropriate and desirable to move forward with the most fundamental sustainable development projects for nations in Africa. Thus the Heavenly Africa project is a package of projects that will be introduced in various nations to help advance these noble objectives.”
- Written by: Philbert Seka, President, Youth and Students for Peace, Africa
“The most important way for us to transform young people and inspire them to take positive action to develop the nation is to educate their character.”
- Written by: Eric Houndete, First Vice President, National Assembly of Benin
“The family is the basic unit of society and the foundation of strong nations. Through families of peace, we can bring peace to the world.”
- Written by: Hon. Al Habib Al Maliki, president of the House of Representatives, Morocco
Rabat, Morocco—We are launching the Moroccan branch of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in the context of what has concerned the world today that necessitates the establishment and stabilization of peace, tolerance, cooperation and justice, as well as what has concerned the defenders of these values and principles.
- Written by: Mr. Adel Jamati, director, UPF-New Zealand
“The fundamental force by which God created the universe is His irrepressible force of selfless giving. The act of creation is an act of total giving. The entire creation is infused with that essence. Life and the universe are governed by the sacred law of giving; we are to emulate God’s act of creation. We should be trained to care for others from an early age. When ‘caring for others’ exceeds ‘pleasing one’s self,’ the foundation for a peaceful home and a peaceful and prosperous society will be secured.”
- Written by: Hon. Ramen Deka, Senior Member of Parliament, Indian Ruling Party, India
“Peace and development are two sides of the same coin: They are directly proportional to each other.”
- Written by: Hon. Jong Seong Lim, Member of Parliament, Korea
“The denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the peaceful settlement that will be developed in the future will make my heart beat.”
- Written by: Hon. Andrei N. Svintsov, Deputy Chairman, State Duma Committee, Russia
“I particularly emphasize the important role of parliamentarians in democratic processes at all levels. . . . The role of parliamentarians is also important in ensuring peace, stability and economic growth.”