Lusaka, Zambia - H.E. Salah A. El-Sadek, Ambassador of Egypt to Zambia, hosted an observance of the International Day of Peace at the House of Egypt in Lusaka on September 20.
Ambassadors of Peace and invited guests, including the Mayor of Lusaka, UN representatives, diplomats, politicians, senior clergy, NGO leaders, teachers, students, businessmen, and others came to commemorate this important day and the theme for 2013 chosen by the UN, “Education for Peace.”
Everyone took seats on the large portico. The event started with a prayer offered by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.
The guests were invited inside to view an introductory video about UPF.
The MC, Mr. Peter C. Chikwampu, the International Affairs and Cultural Attache at the Egyptian Embassy, introduced the first speaker, the Egyptian Ambassador, who greeted participants and explained how he was appointed an Ambassador for Peace while he was a diplomat in Japan and met the late UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon personally. He added how much he appreciates his vision for world peace. He concluded his remarks by stating that he was not hosting the event as an individual but that the country of Egypt was the host and he was serving as the custodian of the location.
The second speaker was the UPF-Zambia chairman, Gen. Malimba Masheke. In delivering the opening remarks, he said “Rev. Moon was not an ordinary person; he was special, and he left a legacy which many people of all strata of society the world over are supporting as the solution to bring about a world of lasting peace.” He also gave an overview report of the International Leadership Conference he attended in August in Seoul, Korea. After that he informed the guests about the UPF's interreligious consultation about Syria to be held October 11-13 in Amman, Jordan.
Special emphasis was put on the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace: “Education for Peace.” In his concluding remarks the chairman said: “Peace is secured not merely by laws, backed by the power of government enforcement, but by a rising awareness of our universal solidarity as one human family, brothers and sisters, who share a common spiritual and moral heritage."
The third speaker was the UN representative, Mr. Charles Nonde, who read the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the International Day of Peace 2013 in which he emphasized the importance of universal peace education as a prerequisite for a peaceful world.
Then the Secretary General of UPF-Zambia, Rev. Rurdolf Faerber, gave a presentation on the five principles of Ambassadors for Peace. In his presentation he mentioned the family as a school of love and peace in which a person is shaped to become a responsible citizen contributing to peace in the world.
Senior Ambassador for Peace Mrs. Makota, Chairperson of Women for Agriculture, described her appointment as an Ambassador for Peace and her experience meeting Rev. Sun Myung Moon when he spoke in Nigeria in 2011.
Rev. Justin Phiri, an Ambassador for Peace, offered a closing prayer.
The reception came to a wonderful ending with delicious Egyptian cuisine contributed by the Ambassador.
The event was covered by nine major media organizations in Zambia, including Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, CBC Television, Radio Christian Voice, Radio Phoenix, Radio HOT FM, Radio QFM, Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper, and New Vision newspaper.
It was already getting dark when people departed for their homes. The day of peace will remain in everyone’s memory for a long time.
Special appreciation was offered to the Egyptian Ambassador for making the occasion possible.
Report by Fabrice Djimadoum