Madrid, Spain - UPF Spain's Marriage and Family Initiative hosted a seminar about peace in honor of the UN International Day of Peace on September 19 in Madrid. Presentations about peace were given, followed by appointments of new Ambassadors for Peace and interreligious prayers.
Forty-four people participated from all over the world and from different races and religions. They included presidents of associations, politicians, students, artists, educators, and Ambassadors for Peace.
The opening remarks were given by Ms. Silvia Cerrada Jiménez, Vice President of AEPRODMUS (Association for the Promotion and Support of Muslim People).
We had four speakers in this Seminar for Peace:
Mr. Mad Aidar Aidar, president of the Association of Afghan People in Spain, spoke on “Peaceful Solutions for the Conflict in Afghanistan.” He gave a very clear exposition of the problems in his country and spoke from the point of view of a citizen not as a politician.
Mr. Emilio Asti, a professor at the University of Milan who is dedicated to international humanitarian projects for peace, spoke on “Spiritual Visions of Peace in Asia.” In summary, he said: “Asia is the birthplace for many different religions and the homeland of many spiritual founders. Peace is achieved by individuals trying to knock down selfish barriers and seek justice and goodness. In the Oriental traditions, peace is pursued by overcoming bodily passions and gaining internal stability.”
Mrs. María Concepción Pérez Hidalgo-Chacón, a Councilor for Citizen Participation and Cooperation for Development for the City of Madrid, spoke on “Four Great Figures of Peace.” She talked about the lives of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Nelson Mandela as models of peace.
Mrs. Mercedes González, Coordinator of UPF-Spain's Family and Marriage Peace Initiative, spoke on “The Fundamental Pillars of Peace.”
Ambassador for Peace certificates were presented to Mr. Aidar and Mrs. Pérez Hidalgo-Chacón.
Interreligious prayers were offered for the 25 zones of war and conflict today, and candles were lit to express our petitions for peace. Muslim, Christian, and Unificationist representatives offered prayers.
Closing remarks were given by Mrs. María Reynés, a Personal Development Educator with PRH Association International.
This program promoting world peace helped inspire people to work for the sake of a better world, where no more wars and conflicts will arise.