Opening Banquet Program

The Opening Banquet features welcome remarks from principals of UPF, a general orientation to the ILC, and opening remarks from several distinguished ILC participants, addressing the theme of the ILC, “Building a World of Lasting Peace: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values.”

Welcome Address: Dr. Thomas Walsh, Chairman, UPF International

Speakers

Hon. José Alberto Alfaro, former Vice President, Legislative Assembly, Costa Rica; President of IAPP, Central America
Hon. Paray Rushto Vijay, Congressman, House of Assembly, Trinidad and Tobago, President of IAPP, Trinidad and Tobago
Archbishop George A. Stallings, Jr., National Co-Chairman, ACLC, USA

SESSION I: THE VISION AND WORK OF UNIVERSAL PEACE FEDERATION

This session will include presentations on the core values and principles that guide the work of the Universal Peace Federation, as well as overviews of several UPF flagship programs such as the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), the Peace Road, and the Africa Summit 2018.

Moderator: Mrs. Ursula McLackland, Secretary General, UPF-Asia

Topics and Speakers: 

UPF and Founders’ Vision –
Mr. Jacques Marion, Vice President, UPF-Europe and Eurasia [Slide Presentation]

International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) –
Mr. Thomas P. McDevitt, President, UPF International [Slide Presentation]

Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) –
Dr. Michael W. Jenkins, National Co-Chairman, American Clergy Leadership Conference, USA [Slide Presentation]

UPF and UN Relations  –
Dr. Tageldin Hamad, Vice President, UPF International

Africa Summit 2018 –
Cheikh Mansour Diouf, President, Steering Committee, Africa Summit 2018 and
Rev. Adama Doumbia, Regional Secretary, UPF-Africa

SESSION II: SPECIAL PRESENTATION: SUNHAK PEACE PRIZE 2019

This session will feature an introduction to the Sunhak Peace Prize, including an introduction to the history and guiding ideals that characterize the Sunhak Peace Prize, to past Sunhak Peace Prize Laureates, from 2015 and 2017, and announcements concerning the preparation for the Sunhak Peace Prize 2019.

Moderator:  Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Chairman, UPF International

Video Overview of Sunhak Peace Prize

Opening Remarks: Dr. Young Ho Yun, Secretary General, FFWPU International

Statements from Committee Members:

Amb. Tae Ik Chung, Chairman, Korean Council on Foreign Relations
Hon. Yoshinori Ohno, former Minister of Defense, Japan
Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Five-time Speaker of House of Representatives, Philippines; International Co-Chair of IAPP

Sunhak Committee Chairman’s Message:

Dr. Il Sik Hong, Chairman, Sunhak Peace Prize Committee

SESSION III (A): IAPP: SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR PARLIAMENTARIANS (KOREAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY)

This session features the UPF’s International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace and takes place at the Korean National Assembly. It is open to all the ILC participants who are government officials and/or members of parliament. Many members of Korea’s National Assembly will join this program. This session will include remarks from members of Korea’s National Assembly, as well as from several ILC participants and IAPP officials. This session will continue the consideration of the ILC theme, “Building a World of Lasting Peace: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values.”

Moderator:  Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Chairman, UPF International

Video Presentation

Congratulatory Performance – The Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea

Greetings:

Hon. Dan Burton, Congressman (1983-2013), House of Representatives, USA; International Co-Chair of IAPP
H.E. Federico Franco, President (2012-2013), Paraguay

Welcome Remarks

Hon. Lim Jong Seong, Member, National Assembly of Korea

Panel Speakers by Continental Representatives

KOREA: Hon. Shim Jae Kwon, Chairman, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Korea
AFRICA:  Hon. Reverien Ndikuriyo, President, Senate, Burundi
MIDDLE EAST: Hon. Abdelmajid Fassi-Fihri, Congressman, House of Representatives, Morocco
EUROPE:  Hon. Angela Guerra, Assemblywoman, Portugal
OCEANIA: Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni, Speaker of the House, Fiji
LATIN AMERICA:  Hon. Andy Daniel, President, Senate, St. Lucia

IAPP 2018 Northeast Asia Peace Proclamation: 
Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Five-time Speaker of House of Representatives, Philippines; International Co-Chair of IAPP

Launch of Peace Road 2018, Global Peace Project of IAPP

SESSION III (B): IAPD: PEACE, DEVELOPMENT AND THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS  

This session features the work of the UPF’s Interreligious Association for Peace and Development. The religious leaders participating in the ILC joins this session, along with many religious leaders from Korea who may be members of the Korean Religions Association or the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Speakers focus on the essential need for interreligious dialogue and cooperation in order to build a world of lasting peace, a world characterized by interdependence, mutual prosperity and universally shared values.

Moderator: Mr. Yun Jong Hong, Secretary General, Korea Religious Association

Video Presentation

Welcoming Remarks: Mr. Hyun Young Lee, President, Korea Religious Association

Special Remarks: Rev. Ki Seong Lee, President, Family Federation for a Heavenly Korea

Reading of IAPD Launching Resolution: Mr. Jeong Soo Ahn, President, International Christian Mission Association

Congratulatory Remarks

Rev. Eleazer J. Ulysee, Pastor, The Evangelical Federation of La Romana, Dominican Republic
Dr. Fumiya Sakow, Chief Priest, Kojuin Temple, Japan
Dr. Alexandre Honrado, Professor of Religious Science, Lusophone University of Humanities and Technologies, Portugal
Rev. Ari van Buuren, former Chairman, United Religions Initiative, Netherlands

Signing of IAPD Declaration of Peace

Water Ceremony for Religious Harmony and Peace

SESSION IV: PERSPECTIVES ON BUILDING A WORLD OF LASTING PEACE

Moderator: Dr. Michael Jenkins, National Co-Chair, American Clergy Leadership Conference

Speakers

Mrs. Hanna Mitra Rambaran, President, United Religions Initiative (URI), Netherlands
Dr. Mohsen Mouelhi, Vicar General, Sufi Jerrahi Halveti, Italy
Dr. Saleem Ahmed, President, All Believers Network, USA
Rt. Rev. Joseph M. Kanuku, Bishop Emeritus, Anglican Church of Kenya
Ven. Lama Lobzang, President, International Buddhist Confederation, India
Prof. Nusrat Sultana, General Secretary, United Religions Initiative, Bangladesh

SESSION IV-Part Two: PERSPECTIVES ON BUILDING A WORLD OF LASTING PEACE 

Moderator: Mr. David Fraser Harris, Secretary General, UPF Middle East & North Africa

Speakers

Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami, Head Priest, Sri Radharamana Temple, India
Prof. Syafaatun Almirzanah, Professor of Religious Studies, Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University, Indonesia [Slide Presentation]
Hajji Baba Edmond Brahimaj, World Leader, Bektashi Order (Islamic Sufi), Albania
Bishop Luis Rodrigo Moreno, Bishop, Anglican Church of Ecuador
Dr. Khattar Salami El Kantar, Vice President, Lebanese Canadian University, Lebanon
Rev. Dr. Igor Onyshchuk, Patriarchal Curia Communications Officer, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Ukraine

SESSION V: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: FOCUS ON ASIA AND NORTHEAST ASIA

This session features presentations that address the critical challenges facing Asia, Northeast Asia and, in particular, the Korean Peninsula.  As the Winter Olympics are played out, there are nevertheless many geopolitical issues that remain unresolved among the principal nations of the region, including both Koreas, as well as China, India, Russia, Japan, Southeast Asia and the USA. Speakers address these challenges and propose ways to work toward lasting peace and stability in the region.

Moderator: Mr. Thomas P. McDevitt, President, UPF International

Speakers

Dr. Vladimir Petrovskiy, Chief Researcher, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
Hon. Yoshinori Ohno, former Minister of Defense, Japan
Mr. Vijay Jolly, Senior Leader, Bharatiya Janata Party, India
Dr. Lek Thaveetermsakul, Vice Chairman, UPF-Asia, Thailand
Hon. Datuk Johari Abdul, Member of Parliament, Malaysia
Dr. Gulnora Ganieva Solieva, Chairperson, the Women’s Committee of Uzbekistan, Academy of Sciences, Uzbekistan
Mr. Sung Soo Cho, Special Advisor, UPF

SESSION VI: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: FOCUS ON THE MIDDLE EAST  

This session will feature presentations that address the critical challenges facing the Middle East, from Israel and Palestine, to Syria and Iraq, to the sometimes difficult relations among Jews, Christians and Muslims, to the intra-religious challenges that face each of these religions. Speakers will explore the ways we might move toward lasting peace in the region.

Moderator: Dr. Tageldin Hamad, Vice President, UPF International

Speakers

Fr. Tesfa Gabreselassie, Monk and Foreign Relations Coordinator, Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the Holy Land
Mr. David Fraser Harris, Regional Secretary General, UPF Middle East and North Africa
Hon. Mohamed Anass Al Shami, Assemblyman, Syria
Mr. Koby Nehushtan, interfaith scholar and Judaic teacher
Fr. Georges Iskandar, President, Inter-eparchial Tribunal, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lebanon
Prof. Mari Katayanagi, former Political Advisor, Office of the High Representative, Bosnia & Herzegovina [Slide Presentation]

SESSION VII: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

This session will provide an opportunity to hear from heads of major programs and organizations and peace initiatives that are affiliated with UPF, including such projects as: Marriage, Family and Interfaith Blessings, the Youth and Students for Peace (YSP), the “Hyojeong” Character Education Curriculum and the World Peace Road Foundation.

Moderator: Mr. Shunsuke Uotani, Deputy Secretary General, UPF-Japan

Topics and Speakers

Marriage, Family and Interfaith Blessings – 

Speaker: Mrs. Ursula McLackland, Secretary General, UPF-Asia [Slide Presentation]
Commentator: Mrs. Lynn Walsh, Director, Office of Marriage and Family Education, UPF International

Youth and Students for Peace and “Hyojeong” Character Education – 

Speaker: Dr. Robert Kittel, President, Youth and Students for Peace, USA [Slide Presentation]
Commentator: Hon. Mo’ale Finau, Assemblyman, Legislative Assembly, Tonga

World Peace Road – 

Hon. Osamu Uno, Member, House of Representatives (2003-09), Japan
Mrs. Moriko Hori, President of WFWPI, Japan and Director of WFWP International Humanitarian Services [Slide Presentation]

SESSION VIII: CLOSING SESSION

The Closing Session provides opportunity for speakers to offer reflections on the benefits and outcomes of the ILC, as well as recommendations for the ongoing work of UPF, through its many projects and affiliated organizations.

Moderator: Mrs. Genie Kagawa, Director, Executive Office, UPF International

Speakers

Hon. Robert Coffin, Councilman, Las Vegas City Council, USA
Dr. Slawomir Redo, Senior Advisor, Academic Council on UN (ACUN), Austria
Hon. Grida Duda, Member of Parliament, Albania
Hon. Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, President, National Assembly, Madagascar
Dr. Stephen Thurston, President, National Baptist Convention of America
Ven. Rev. Dr. Sumana Siri, Chief Sangha Nayaka (Buddhist Cardinal), UK & Europe

FOUNDER’S PROGRAM (CHEONGSHIM PEACE WORLD CENTER)

Luncheon

Special Performances

FAREWELL BANQUET

Mr. Carlos Jose Limongi Sterse, Judge, Youth and Children’s Court of Anapolis, Brazil
Hon. Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, Member of Parliament, India
Dr. Tong Yun Kai, Chairman of International Confucian Association and President of Hong Kong Confucian Academy 
Amb. R. James Woolsey, Jr., former director of Central 2Intelligence, USA