Lisbon, Portugal—Six religious leaders were the speakers at a UPF webinar celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Approximately 70 participants joined the 1.5-hour event held on February 7, 2021. This year’s theme for the United Nations observance was “Building Bridges across Boundaries.”
The six contacts who responded positively to the invitation to speak at the webinar included a UPF Ambassador for Peace and several of our close partners. One speaker joined us for the first time, and we hope he will be a future Ambassador for Peace.
The UPF-Portugal national president, acting as the moderator, welcomed the participants and gave an introduction to UPF. Then a video about the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), one of the UPF constituent associations, was shown.
The speakers were:
Professor Paulo Mendes Pinto, the coordinator of Science of Religions at Lusophone University.
“Elder” Joaquim Moreira, the national director of church and government relations for the Mormon Church
Brother Manuel Silva, a member of the Catholic Marist congregation
Dr. Ajit Hansraj, vice president of the Hindu Community of Portugal
Professor António Sequeira, professor at Brahma Kumaris Organization
Bishop D. José Barbosa, bishop of the Traditional Anglican Church.
The UPF national president gave the closing presentation, speaking about UPF.
The program ended with a question for each speaker about ideas for cooperation in the interreligious area.
After a group photo, announcements were made about coming events: the inauguration of IAPD in March; the publication in Portuguese of UPF co-founder Mother Moon’s memoir; the next Rally of Hope; and an online exhibition of Father Moon’s centenary.
Thanks to the speakers and all of the participants. "We are together."