Auckland, New Zealand—UPF-New Zealand in partnership with the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)-New Zealand, an affiliated organization, and the NixCrew held an event to celebrate the UN International Day of Peace 2019 on September 21 at the Kelston Community Centre in West Auckland, New Zealand. Seventy people from different NGOs and communities attended the program whose theme was “A Life of Service is the Real Path to Peace.”
UPF-New Zealand Secretary General Mr. Geoffrey Fyers, who was the emcee, warmly welcomed the participants and invited Ambassador for Peace and Maori Leader Rev. Bill Tangariki to open the event with a prayer.
Four people spoke on various topics. Ambassador for Peace Mrs. Tracey Deane, project coordinator for the Waikato Regional Council, spoke on “Climate Action for Peace.” The second session, “The Values that Will Sustain Our Future,” featured three speakers: UPF-New Zealand Director Mr. Adel Jamati, who gave the keynote address; Rev. Stan Stewart from the St. Helier’s Presbyterian Church; and Ambassador for Peace and community development advocate from the NixCrew Mrs. Anne Degia-Pala.
After the lunch break, Exhibition of Peace activities followed. Four guests were appointed as an Ambassador for Peace and presented with an Ambassador for Peace award.
Next, a moving and heartfelt “Bridge of Peace” ceremony, a signature program of WFWP that fosters multicultural sisterhood bonds, took place.
The significance of world peace through marriage was presented by Mr. Kenji Watanabe of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)-New Zealand.
During the final session of the program, the Youth and Students for Peace was introduced and then the national chapter of the initiative was inaugurated by Mr. Geoffrey Prentice, a teacher and former chair of UPF-New Zealand, and Mr. Amon Watanabe, a youth representative.
WFWP-New Zealand Executive Committee member Mrs. Matapa Shelley gave the closing remarks in which she thanked everyone for attending and those who contributed to the success of the event.
To read the keynote address given by Mr. Adel Jamati, please click here.