Oslo, Norway - Around 70 people attended the UN International Day of Peace celebration at the Islamic Cultural Center in Oslo. The theme of the day was "Peace, Future, Youth and Development."
The three-hour seminar opened with an invocation by Imam Mehboob, reciting from the Qur'an, followed by words from the secretary general of the mosque about the important role of the UN in benefiting the people of the world.
The information secretary from the UN Communication Office in Norway offered greetings on the day, commenting on the importance of investing in young people; after all, 2010 is also the International Year of Youth.
A professor from the University of Oslo spoke about our domestic situation; that good relationships start with personal, moral responsibility. He said that even if though it is important to talk about morals, it is not always popular to do so.
Going from domestic matters to global affairs, a researcher from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs spoke about threats to peace and security in today’s world. He emphasized that even though the number of wars have decreased during the last few decades, this development would not necessarily continue. Among many things, he mentioned the lack of resources as a potential source of future conflicts.
After a break for coffee and refreshments, the UPF secretary general commented on the arrival of a new era, touching on topics such as the age of the Pacific, the era of women, Korea’s upcoming role, a proposed interreligious council at the UN, a Bering Strait crossing, and the role of the UPF founder, Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
A panel of four young students from the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, and Sikh traditions commented on the best points in their faiths concerning peace. They covered ideas such as the importance of our thoughts, equal treatment of all people, kindness among people, and the need for spirituality.
In conclusion, all speakers received our founder’s autobiography as a token of gratitude for their contribution.
Guests stayed a long time after the end of the program, sharing ideas, exchanging addresses, and expressing their satisfaction with the evening.
Photos by Ole Toresen