Bonao, Dominican Republic - UPF-Dominican Republic celebrated the International Day of Peace on September 20 in the State University Branch in Bonao, the capital city of Monseñor Nouel Province. Bonao is a city of 140,000 people 85 km northwest of the capital, Santo Domingo.
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The celebration took place at the Central Library Auditorium with a total capacity for 284 people. The auditorium was full at times, and about 250 people stayed from beginning to end.
Participants were mainly university students and professors; 27 people traveled from Santo Domingo and 22 from Santiago, the second-largest city. Two NGO leaders came from the distant city of Azua; and three out of four members of Congress who attended the recent International Leadership Conference in Korea in August came from Santo Domingo. They were pleased to receive appointments as Ambassadors for Peace.
The master of ceremonies was the Ambassador for Peace, university professor, and National Representative of Sun Moon University, Margarita Cornielle.
The invocation was given by the Episcopal priest Rev. Alfredo Romero. University Director, Lic. Carmen Leida Perez gave the welcoming remarks.
The celebration’s central focus was the three statements released for this International Day of Peace: from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the UPF Statement on the International Day of Peace, and the UPF Statement on the Syrian Crisis.
The first statement was read by Dra. Clara Benedicto, President of the Dominican Ambassadors for Peace; the second by Rev. Leonidas Belliard, Secretary General of the Family Federation for World Peace; and the third by UPF-Dominican Republic Secretary General Mr. César Regalado.
Three videos were shown: the UPF introduction; the song “Un Mundo Nuevo” by Alicia Baroni; and the song “Love Sees No Color,” by Fred Nassiri. Two local young women also helped to entertain the audience with songs of peace: Danaldy Marte sang “Corro a Ti” and Julie Vargas sang “Gotitas de Amor.”
Seven new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed, University Director Lic. Carmen Leida Perez, the three members of Congress from Santo Domingo, and three from the city of Santiago.
The closing remarks and words of gratitude on behalf of the university were given by Prof. Juan Serverino, followed by three cheers led by Rev. Takashi Kono from Japan.