Sydney, Australia—The Sydney chapter of UPF-Australia hosted an event to celebrate the 2022 UN International Day of Peace at the Oceania Peace Embassy in Sydney on September 24, with 50 people in attendance.
The first speaker was Rev. Yutaka Yamada, chairman of UPF-Oceania. In his remarks, Rev. Yamada encouraged all the attendees to become owners of the peacebuilding work initiated by UPF co-founders, the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
Rev. John Adamedes, president of UPF-Australia, spoke about UPF and its five Principles of Peace, based on the teachings of the founders.
One of the highlights of the program was the presentation of a certificate to Mr. Fouad Sobbi, president of the Mandaean World Congress, appointing him special advisor to UPF-Oceania. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Sobbi talked about the profound experiences he has had through UPF’s activities and a recent personal meeting he had with Dr. Moon in Korea. “She is the mother of all humankind, the Mother of Peace. She can embrace all of humankind in her arms,” he said. He continued, affirming his commitment to his new responsibility as special advisor: “I will commit to and engage more in the work of peacebuilding and work together hand-in-hand with UPF leaders.”
Mr. Joseph Hoang, president of the Torch of Hope Movement for Human Rights Vietnam, and Mr. Monther Amer, media director of Mandaean World Congress, were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace.
Mr. George Barcha, a former deputy mayor and current councillor of the Fairfield Council, was the guest speaker. He highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony and shared the painful experience of seeing his father killed in front of him when he was a child. From that bitter experience, he promised to live a life of supporting peacebuilding and other people.
Mr. Ming Zaw, Youth Ambassador of Peace, congratulated the newly appointed Ambassadors for Peace and talked about his experiences with UPF.
Songs were performed by the UPF-Sydney Youth Choir.
Mr. Santosh Neupane, vice president of UPF-Australia, served as the emcee.