Kiev, Ukraine—On September 20, 2018, UPF-Ukraine held its fifth Junior Ambassadors for Peace Congress, “All the World for Peace!,” dedicated to the UN International Day of Peace. Traditionally, the event has been held on the territory of the National Museum of Ukrainian History in World War II. The event was attended by 450 pupils from different Kiev schools, educators, Ambassadors for Peace, and representatives of international organizations and state institutions.
Partners and organizers of the Congress included the following: Specialized School #85 of Kiev City, schools participating in the UNESCO Associated Schools Project with the support of UPF, the National Museum of Ukrainian History in World War II, the Youth Federation for Peace, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Department of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of the executive body of the Kiev City Council.
The event was opened by the wonderful "Dance of Peace." Children from 20 Kiev schools performed a simple but beautiful dance with multicolored ribbons and balloons. After that was a heart-touching performance, "Angels over Ukraine." It was directed by the well-known Lviv artist Levko Skop. Together with the student-volunteers from Japan and South Korea, children cut out angels from colored paper. They brought the angels to the museum hall and created a special artistic installation. On the boards nearby children and guests wrote their wishes for the Day of Peace.
The official part the Congress began with the National Anthem of Ukraine, performed by Natalia Papazoglo together with the children. Representatives from different countries sent their congratulations on the Day of Peace for Ukrainian children. First President of Independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk and Zhytomyr City Mayor Sergey Sukhomlin sent their personal congratulations, which were read to the Congress.
Thirty-seven children received a Junior Ambassador of Peace Certificate. Two schools that joined the Junior Ambassador of Peace Movement in the past school year received certificates as Participants of the Movement. The children read the Promise of the Junior Ambassadors for Peace, promising to continue to spread out the culture of peace in society and the world.
The Congress was concluded by signing the Peace Resolution and ringing in the "Bell of Peace." It sounded in the Congress hall as a symbol of peace, friendship and fraternity of all people and nations.