Speeches
- Written by: Hon. Bhubaneswar Kalita, Member of Parliament, India
Today, the conflicts between neighbors and within communities is due to lack of human development. This is an issue affecting peace and security. We, the parliamentarians, have an important role to play—as parliamentarians are the bridges between the people, the legislators and the governments.
- Written by: Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Chief Executive Director, Afghan Institute for Learning, Afghanistan
We are living in a time where peace, love and wisdom needs to be at the forefront. God’s love does not discriminate by race, ethnicity, nationality or religion. Reverend Moon reminded us of this. We must embrace peace as the road to resolving conflicts, building gender equality and respect for all human beings.
- Written by: Dr. Il Sik Hong, Chairman, Sunhak Peace Prize Committee
The international order in the 21st century must not be a struggle among the superpowers to expand their spheres of influence, but should instead be reorganized to promote the benefit of weaker countries and those in disadvantaged positions. The world should be characterized by righteousness ruling on a foundation of peace and respect for democracy and human rights.
- Written by: Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, Sri Lanka
Peace, security and human development are very much in agreement with the vision of my government. We are adopting a new social, economic and political approach to rise up to the challenges of the 21st century.
- Written by: Dr. Lek Thaveetermsakul, Vice Chair, UPF Asia
Without a good, warm, loving, healthy and strong family foundation, there can be no model and foundation for good, healthy human development and loving human relationships, which can resolve human conflicts and nurture peace, security and prosperity in the society, nations and the world.
- Written by: Hon. Alberto Alfaro Jimenez, President, National Assembly, Costa Rica
We live in an interdependent world, and the good or bad outcomes of one nation may impact other countries. Examples of this are extreme poverty, conflict, terrorism, and climate change. When one of these particular conditions happen in a region, it ends up affecting all of us. This is a good reason for us to work together, as one body, for the sake of global welfare.
- Written by: Hon. Hilik Bar, Deputy Speaker, Knesset, Israel
Just as a world without poverty will be a better world for wealthy people, a world with tolerance and respect for each other, a world with strong education for peace, will be a better world for all—even for those who don't believe in tolerance and peace.
- Written by: Rt. Hon. Richard Msowoya, Speaker, National Assembly, Malawi
The population of persons with albinism in Malawi is estimated at 10,000 people. Although persons with albinism have peacefully coexisted with the rest of the population, their living conditions, especially lately, have been characterized by stigma and discrimination.
- Written by: Hon. Dr. Rachel Carling-Jenkins, Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), Parliament of Victoria, Australia
The most vulnerable in our society at present are the unborn who are being killed in unprecedented numbers and the refugees living in squalid conditions with their lives on hold, hoping to escape oppression and at the mercy of foreign countries that do not seem to understand their plight.
- Written by: H.E. Milan Dunovic, Vice President, Bosnia and Herzegovina
I am sure that the UPF, as an organization of great importance for democratization and development of countries around the world, can and will help Bosnia and Herzegovina on its way of improvement of those values. South Korea is our true friend, and it is a great country and excellent example to learn from how to celebrate civilization and freedom.
- Written by: Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Speaker, House of Representatives (1992-1998), (2001-2008), Philippines
We have been advocating and we now renew our call for the establishment of an Asia-wide “Asian Anti-Poverty Fund,” or better still, an enlarged “Global Anti-Poverty Fund,” or “Global Micro-Finance Fund,” to help fight poverty and inequality and help lift the poorest peoples in our region and in the world.
- Written by: Hon. Dan Burton, Congressman, House of Representatives (1983-2013), USA
We need to use the power of our positions as parliamentarians to find ways to be better neighbors—and to guide our 21st century civilization in becoming a world that harmonizes the dreams of God and humankind in our daily lives, families, communities, nations and in every cherished place on our planet.