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International Day of Peace Celebrated in Taiwan
Written by Mr. Chai Mai Hsien, Secretary General, UPF-Taiwan
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Taipei, Taiwan - UPF-Taiwan celebrated the International Day of Peace on Sept. 20, 2014, by holding a seminar at National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification and the Professors World Peace Academy in Taiwan were co-sponsors for this event.
In response to United Nations’ calling for peace with the theme “The Right of Peoples to Peace,” UPF-Taiwan decided to convey its founders' vision of the future world with the topic, “The Coexistence, Co-prosperity, and Common-cause Society in the Post-Democracy Era.” Three scholars were invited to address this topic from three different viewpoints: economics, politics, and religious.
Most people have come to realize that neither democracy nor the communist system could bring substantial, lasting peace. In contrast, society is becoming chaotic due to various social problems, the big gap between rich and poor, and political and economic instability; hence, true peace is hardly experienced. For the sake of future generations, heavenly wisdom should be sought in order to find the ultimate solution.
Dr. Lee, Li-Kuo, adjunct professor at the Department of Futurology of Foguang University, started his presentation on the concept of coexistence by bringing up issues of endangered species of wildlife in Taiwan. He explained the responsibility of people to preserve natural resources and protect the environment to safeguard wildlife, so they can live naturally and multiply. As people start to take "ecocentric ethics” seriously and understand the importance of environmental protection, they will be able to relate to the issue of coexistence of human beings.
Dr. Chang, King-yuh, former minister of the Mainland Affairs Council and former president of National Chengchi University, elaborated the concept of co-prosperity from the background of the first and second world wars, after which enemy nations such as Germany and France came to realize that only through co-prosperity among nations can peace emerge. It became a strong motivation behind the formation of the European Union. Eventually, the European Economic Community and the European Parliament are starting to substantiate the dream of one united continent as a European Union. This proves that co-prosperity is not just an idealistic concept but can be realized substantially.
Dr. Chang, Chuan Fong, president of the Taiwan Family Party, concluded with Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s vision on this topic. He explained the concept of common cause in ways that people from various religious backgrounds could understand and appreciate: that all people should live as true sons and daughters of God by perfecting their character and fulfilling social responsibility in order to advance the kingdom of heaven and earth.
Shih Ming Kuang, vice president of the Buddhist Association ROC, was invited to attend this seminar and offer a benediction on the occasion of the UN International Day of Peace. A total of 80 participants from religious, politics, and academic fields came to support this special day that aims for world peace.
Mr. Chen, Tuo Huan, president of UPT-Taiwan, being the moderator for this seminar, related the speeches to the founder’s vision for the future world, encompassing economics, politics and common-cause’s way of life in order to realize the dream of an ideal society that all desire.
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