Majuro, Marshall Islands—UPF celebrated the UN International Day of Peace in the Marshall Islands with an event held on September 21, 2019 at the Marshall Islands Resort in Majuro, the capital. Attending the program were two former Presidents, a representative of the Red Cross, a Protestant minister, and other guests.
The theme of this year’s Day was “Climate Action for Peace.” Climate change is one of the foremost issues facing the Marshall Islands, which is an atoll nation that is only a few meters above sea level.
The program opened with an invocation, which was given by Rev. Ainrik George, a Protestant minister. The chairman of UPF-Marshall Islands, Mr. Kenichi Ito, spoke about the meaning of the Day and read a statement about this year’s theme. Afterwards, a video of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ message for the Day was shown.
Representatives of the Catholic, Protestant, Baha’i, Buddhist, and Unificationist faiths joined in a “Water of Harmony” ceremony and offered prayers.
In his congratulatory remarks, Hon. Castin Nemra, former President (2016) and a member of Parliament, expressed his gratitude for being able to participate in the event.
The keynote remarks were given by Hon. Kessai H. Note, former President (2000-2008) and a member of Parliament, who is the co-chair of the Oceania chapter of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP). Hon. Note talked about the importance of the Day and UPF activities around the world.
The event concluded with an Ambassador for Peace awards ceremony. The honorees were Hon. Nemra, Rev. George and Mrs. Takara of the Red Cross.
Other guests included Mr. Jim Philippo, deputy CEO of Tobolar, a company that exports products made from coconuts; Mr. Joe Talley, a veteran of the U.S. Army and an IT engineer; and Mr. Takaaki Ito, an assistant professor at the College of the Marshall Islands.