Chisinau, Moldova - The Universal Peace Federation-Moldova and related groups organized several public presentations, conferences, and seminars in commemoration of the International Day of Peace in order to stimulate awareness about the need for peace.
On September 15 and 21, UPF volunteers gave presentations about the role of youth in peacebuilding efforts at the Ion Creanga Pedagogical State University, the Construction College, and the Pro-Success Theoretical Lyceum. These public presentations were attended by over 450 students from ages 15 to 20. Many students were inspired to volunteer and enhance their learning by serving their community and country.
On September 16, the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles in Moldova organized an international conference on the theme “Doctors for Peace and Harmony” in commemoration of the International Day of Peace. The 14 participants included people from the USA, Turkey, and Slovakia.
{besps}/images/stories2/eurasia/2011/moldova/4015{/besps}The main topic was that a healthy lifestyle starts with inner peace, harmony between mind and body, and peace among people. Presenters talked about cooperation between practitioners of traditional and non-traditional medicine. In addition to the different doctors and specialists giving presentations about their products and services, there were presentations by the Family Federation in Moldova, meditation practices, and information about the Cheongshim Hospital, an international medical center in Korea that combines both western and oriental medicines with spiritual healing founded by Rev. Dr Sun Myung Moon.
Conference participants agreed to meet more often in order to promote cooperation between different practitioners of types of medicine, both traditional and nontraditional, eastern and western, and to cooperate in promoting health, harmony, and peace among people.
On September 17, UPF-Moldova organized special seminar in Chisinau on the life of UPF Founder, Rev. Sun Myung Moon. To build a peaceful world, people need real-life examples, not just debates about peace. Therefore, guests were invited to research together the life of this 91-year-old man who is passionate about peace and continues to dream and teach about the future. The guest presenter was the Assistant Secretary General of UPF-Eurasia, Mr. Konstantin Krylov. The 24 participants included Ambassadors for Peace, journalists, university professors, and volunteers.
Participant reflections:
"Dialogue among different faiths is the cornerstone of the peaceful world. I’ve read with great pleasure the Autobiography of Rev. Moon and found in it many things close to my heart, my character, and my way of thinking. The truths written in this book with very simple words convey deep wisdom: to love is to give and forget that you gave, and happiness and love comes when we live not for our own sake but for the sake of others. We have to learn to forgive and make compromises in our relationships in the family and with other people. We have to pray to God to endow us with the gift of seeing the world with spiritual eyes and the ability to see and feel happiness in very simple things. When you live in peace and harmony with the world you can be happy and fulfilled.” - Mrs. Rusnac Ludmila, Youth Peace Ambassador, Professor of Journalism and Communication Sciences, Moldova State University
"The most important points in this seminar were the following ideas: forgiving the enemy, understanding the fact that God is helping us to become stronger after we pass through difficulties, every person with faith in God is able to make a change in this world, and God gave us faith to make our path to the truth more easy.” - Otilia Stamatin, Ambassador for Peace, Professor in the Faculty of Applied Psychology, Ion Creanga Pedagogical State University
"I liked very much the natural and sincere presentation by Mr. Krylov about key events on the spiritual path of an extraordinary person, Dr. Moon. I learned to have more courage and patience in my activity. A real life of courage and faith is always something to learn from and be inspired by.” - Maria Guska, Leader of the Spiritual University Brahma Kumaris in Chisinau
"From this seminar I understood that the secret of a long life is to have a pure conscience, humility, and gratitude. The example of Dr. Moon proved to me that is possible to accomplish many things starting from zero with hard work and deep love.” - Strechie Mario. Volunteer, Member of the National Youth Parliament
"I liked this seminar for the new facts I found out about the development of a worldwide movement for peace and harmony without communist lies. Dr. Moon is an extraordinary man who shows us the power of forgiveness. I will support wholeheartedly efforts for interfaith dialogue. I’m Muslim and I believe that interfaith cooperation will bring fruits.” - Ahsanov Rustam Mahmutovici, leader of the Tatar Muslim community