Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru celebrated UN International Mother Earth Day by holding a forum at its headquarters in Lima. The event, which was attended by 150 guests, was co-sponsored by the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP)-Peru and the NGO Gran Fraternidad Universal (Great Universal Brotherhood).
Among the keynote speakers were Peruvian diplomat, Ambassador Juan Alvarez Vita, who shared about his experience visiting 44 countries during his foreign service career and how he collected earth from each nation and brought it back to Peru, finally using it to plant a tree commemorating his work in one of the parks in Lima.
Mr. Carlos Alberto Yrigoyen Forno, a former diplomat and member of the Gran Fraternidad Universal, spoke about the importance of living in harmony with nature and our relationship with the earth.
Mr. Christian Contreras Otiniano, an environmental engineer, shared his scientific understanding of the environmental changes that are occuring in the world, including the recent flooding in Peru. One minute of silence was held for those who lost homes during this time.
A poem commemorating Mother Earth Day, written by Dr. T. Ashok Chakravarthy, a poet and vice chair of the Global Harmony Association, India, was translated into Spanish and read.
A musical interlude was presented by Javier y Ninfa, who sang “Natural Sano.”
Afterwards, six new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed.
The event concluded with Mr. David Ruiz Cuya, president of the Gran Fraternidad Universal; Mrs. Luz Mejía, coordinator of WFWP-Peru; and Dr. Trevor E. Jones, president of UPF-Peru giving their reflections about the day.