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Ambassadors for Peace
B. Bhaneja: Proposal for a Canadian Department of Peace
October 4, 2008
In the early part of the twenty-first century, the peoples of the world are experiencing an intolerable level of insecurity and violence on the parts of states and non-state actors. At the same time, there has been a re-energizing of the peace movement and citizen initiatives in seeking innovative, nonviolent and enduring resolution of conflict through peacebuilding activities of many kinds. One of those initiatives is a growing international movement for the creation of departments of peace in all nations. Canada, as a middle power with a long history of peacekeeping and negotiated outcomes to conflict, stands in a unique position to become the first country to proclaim a Department and Minister of Peace.
A. Curling: Giving Substance to the Words of Peace
October 3, 2008
For over 2,000 years this plea has been on the books and has been issued millions of times from pulpits the world over to many millions of faithful parishioners, many of whom have become the perpetrators of war, the starters of war, the losers of war, and — dare I say it — the winners of wars for there are those who profess that in war there are no winners.
In Memoriam: Mrs. Fatwa El Masri
October 2, 2008
News of the passing of UPF Lebanon's Ambassador for Peace Mrs. Fatwa El Masri on October 1, 2008, saddened those in the Universal Peace Federation who knew her and her peace-loving family.
Book Review: War Child, by Bruce Cerew
August 27, 2008
The Netherlands - What’s in a book? Is it a laugh, a thrill, a feeling, a thought, a tragedy, a jolt, a profound communication, reality? You’ll find all of that and more in the new, quick selling War Child, a Memoir, by Bruce Cerew.
In Memoriam: Chief Imam Assane Cisse
August 14, 2008
On August 14, 2008, Chief Imam Sheikh Assane Cisse passed to the spiritual world at the age of 63 in his homeland of Senegal.
In Memoriam: Mark Anthony Cuellar
July 17, 2008
On July 17, 2008, the Cuellar family, the nation of Belize, Central America, and the whole Western hemisphere lost a precious son, a father, a brother, a patriot, a true friend, and a great man of God. Mark Anthony Cuellar was a true pioneer and visionary, a man of boundless enthusiasm.
Conference in Paraguay Emphasizes Strong Marriages and Families
July 5, 2008
Asunción, Paraguay - Twenty-eight new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed at the International Leadership Conference awards banquet in Asuncion on July 4.
H.E. Mrs. Conceptia Ouinsou Receives Awards
June 6, 2008
The Universal Peace Federation and the President of the Constitutional Court of Benin presented awards to Her Excellency Mrs. Conceptia Denis Ouinsou in recognition for her ten years of service as head of the Constitutional Court of Benin.
The Problem with War
June 5, 2008
The problem with war, particularly in Vietnam, was that weapons such as napalm had no soul. If you happened to be below it you were instantly incinerated. I arrived at 1:00 am, in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) after a flight haunted by images of movies and news reports from the 1970s. I was planning to stay ten days but remained a full month.
Portrait of Peace: Jean Paul Samputu
June 5, 2008
Jean Paul Samputu is one of only two members of his family to survive the atrocities that took place in his homeland of Rwanda. Samputu lost his parents, three brothers and a sister. In October of 1990 he had been imprisoned along with other Tutsis for six months. Upon returning to his village he was warned by his father to leave because as a well-known musician his life would be in danger in the outbreak of violence that would only be a matter of time.
38 Ambassadors for Peace Appointed
June 2, 2008
Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire - In the prestigious “Felix Houphouët Boigny” room of the District Hotel of Abidjan a significant ceremony took place on June 2, 2008. Thirty-eight people from religious, political, administrative, academic, civil society, traditional chief groups, accompanied by members of their family, their colleagues from work and their friends, attended the second official ceremony for appointing new Ambassadors for Peace.
L. Brun: Linkages between Peace and the Environment
May 2, 2008
I tried to make connections, linkages between peace and the questions of environment around the world because there are many threats to our survival on the planet. They affect all the countries, all the nations, and this can create a common cause to unite us against those threats. In the meeting of the Universal Peace Federation, I tried to emphasize the importance of a new awareness of those environmental problems, such as the melting down of the poles, the greenhouse effect, rising sea levels, the destruction of ecosystems in different countries, the pollution of the seas, that break the food chain as a consequence.
N.P. Jain - A Lovable Ambassador of Peace
March 31, 2008
A diplomat by profession, my father is a living example of integrity and maturity, which are crucial for promoting peace. The common theme running through his life is his confidence in non-violence as a potent instrument for ushering in durable peace at the individual and collective levels.
Communicating Peace Principles in Iraq
March 30, 2008
My wife, Leyla, and I are from Duhok, which is in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq on the border with Turkey. My life’s story is similar to that of many Iraqis who experienced the Saddam Hussein regime, and the fact that I am alive to give this testimony is a miracle. Now I can look back and clearly see how God has directed me and my family to this wonderful movement, UPF.
Women as Ambassadors for Peace in the Community
March 30, 2008
The fifth anniversary of the Watford Bridge of Peace was celebrated on March 30, 2008 at the Multi-Cultural Community Center in Watford, a town 34 kilometers northwest of London.
Interfaith Forum in Berlin on Ways to Promote a Peaceful Society
March 16, 2008
Berlin, Germany - Over 70 Ambassadors for Peace, guests and members of the UPF Peace Council gathered in Berlin-Lichterfelde March 14-16, 2008, to discuss ”On the way to a peaceful society.”
Educating Students in Abuja about Character and Service
March 12, 2008
One hundred students from the University of Abuja, Nigeria, were invited to a seminar about character and service on March 12, 2008.
Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr. Video
March 4, 2008
The UPF is working to develop an interreligious peace council at the UN. Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, discussed this with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Magazine Editor Honored Honored for Instilling Values in Youth
March 1, 2008
Kathmandu, Nepal - The Universal Peace Federation and its affiliate organization, the Youth Federation for World Peace (YFWP) acknowledged Santosh Shah, the publisher and editor of Today’s Youth Asia magazine as Youth Ambassador for Peace on March 1, 2008 in Kathmandu, Nepal.