Almaty, Kazakhstan - UPF invited Ambassadors for Peace and members of the African Union to a February 10 meeting at the Peace Embassy in honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Mr. Akhetov Amantay, an Ambassador for Peace, shared deep insights about the importance of interreligious harmony in the present time and historical precedents for such harmony.
Mr. Lamin Bangura, originally from Sierra Leone and President of the African Union for Kazakhstan residents from Africa, reported on his experiences at UPF's International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, in January. The conference theme, “Toward an Era of Interfaith Cooperation and Universal Peace,” impressed him, and he said he was amazed to see representatives from so many religions, nations, races, and educational backgrounds coming together for one event, living together in one hotel, eating the same food, discussing issues related to peace, and expressing love toward each other. This was the first such experience in his life.
He talked about the peace work being done by Africans he met at the conference. The presentations at the conference emphasized living for the sake of others and forgiving and loving one's enemies. He said he was encouraged by the people he met who exemplify these virtues and wants to practice them in his life as well.
The Founder of the National Ecological Union (the platform for the Green Party), Mr. Mels Eleussizov, also attended the conference in Korea. He said he was very impressed by UPF's work and the principles it teaches to world leaders.