Honiara, Solomon Islands - Two days before the International Day of Peace, there was a special forum on the radio organized by Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation in conjunction with Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, in which a UPF representative participated.
Mr. Rex Masuaku, Secretary General of UPF-Solomon Islands, was invited to present UPF’s view on “Youth for Peace and Development,” the theme of the 2010 observance. The program was aired nationwide during the International Day of Peace 2010 awareness week leading up to September 21.
On September 21, UPF-Solomon Islands organized a candlelight prayer service to commemorate this year’s International Day of Peace at a Family Federation for World Peace Center in Honiara, in which about 30 Ambassadors for Peace and friends participated.
The program proceeded according to the following program:
Part I:
1. Opening prayer by Rev. Caleb Kotali (Uniting Church)
2. Welcoming remarks by Mr. Augustine Taneko (honorary chair of UPF-Solomon Islands and former Minister of Police)
3. Report about International Day of Peace activities around the world in 2009 by Chihiro Midorikawa (President, UPF-Solomon Islands)
4. Special Song presentation; “Heal the World” by Kolaridge Youth Choir
5. Message from UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon (video message)
6. Reading of UPF's Statement on the International Day of Peace by Rex Masuaku (Secretary General, UPF-Solomon Islands)
Part II: Candlelight Prayer Service for world peace
1. Lighting candles
2. All sing together “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
3. Prayer
4. Closing remarks by Rev. Caleb Kotali
Part III: Supper
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Augustine Taneko gave a passionate and clear message encouraging all Ambassadors for Peace and peacemakers to promote peace through living for the sake of others in their families, neighborhoods, and society.
During the candlelight prayer service, spontaneous prayers were offered by several participants, who were moved to pray for world peace.
Copies of Rev. Dr. Moon’s autobiography, As A Peace-Loving Global Citizen, were presented to Mr. Taneko and Rev. Kotali. Rev. Kotali commented that he expected to understand Dr. Moon better through this book, as he used to study about Dr. Moon when he was a theological college student at the Uniting Church long time ago.
Happy UN International Day of Peace 2010, and let there be peace on earth!