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Asia Pacific ILC2020 Concludes with Call to Action
Written by UPF-Asia Pacific
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Asia Pacific—The Closing Session and Call to Action of the ILC2020—Asia Pacific program was held on September 13, 2020, under the theme, “Opportunity and Hope at a Time of Global Crisis: Role of Youth and Students.”
The session started with a video clip introducing the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP), a recently established organization affiliated with UPF. Then, an opening statement was given by the moderator, Mr. Koji Matsuda, international president of the IAYSP. The session speakers were Mr. Dong Yun Kim, regional president of IAYSP Korea; Mr. Hiroki Takeuchi, regional president of IAYSP Japan; and Mr. Richell Jalipa, regional president of IAYSP in the Asia-Pacific region. All the speakers gave energizing presentations on the programs and projects youth and students are carrying out in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The second part of the program was led by the global chairman of the IAYSP, Dr. Robert Kittel, who introduced the members of the ILC Resolution Drafting Committee and explained the process and background in drafting the comprehensive and historic resolution from Korea, Japan and Asia Pacific. The ILC Resolution was presented by the president of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU)-Japan, Rev. Dr. Eiji Tokuno. The closing statement was given by Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, chairman of UPF in the Asia Pacific. On behalf of the ILC Organizing Committee, he expressed his thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the three-day virtual conference.
Mr. Koji Matsuda, international president of the IAYSP, was moderator of the session. He remarked: “Young people have an important and unique responsibility to create hope and opportunity in this global crisis because young people have the time, energy and will to build a better environment for the future. The United Nations has long recognized that young people are a major human resource for development and key agents for social change, economic growth, and technological innovation.”
Abbreviated remarks of speakers:
Mr. Dong Youn Kim, regional president of the IAYSP-Korea: “Young people are already early adaptors of emerging technologies in the fourth industrial revolution, such as 3D virtual reality games, internet shopping recommended by AI…. Therefore, young people already play an especially important role in overcoming this crisis. YSP Korea is trying to provide alternative solutions during this time of crisis. During this past summer, about 1,000 college students were dispatched around Korea, [as part of a project called the Peace Designers Assemble]. Over a 40-day time period, teams of three to four students [carried out] environmental projects and education support programs, volunteered to assist farmers in rural areas, and more.”
Mr. Hiroaki Takeuchi, regional president of the IAYSP-Japan: “YSP-Japan will continue to develop activities to solve challenges that Japan and the world is facing today! We would also like to mention that we have an event called S!NERGY, which is driven by our Peace Designers. It holds seminars and forums in various areas of our country. Various efforts carried out and research done by youth are presented, and we promote the Peace Project to solve social issues."
In this time of crisis, through the YSP international network, we will raise “Peace Designers” among our youth who can transcend beyond individualism and nationalism with a heart to embrace [one another] and forgive past differences in order to realize the vision of One Global Family.”
Mr. Richell Jalipa, regional president of the IAYSP Asia-Pacific: “In the Asia-Pacific, the IAYSP was inaugurated in the UN ESCAP Hall and Impact Arena in Bangkok with 13,000 youths and students in attendance. After that, the IAYSP was inaugurated in the Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Mongolia, Australia, New Zealand, and Palau. More nations are in the queue to have the YSP inaugurated in their country... We believe that the establishment of the Asia Pacific Union will usher in a new era of interdependence, mutual prosperity and universal values, as well as will become the catalyst for resolving the many complex regional and global issues.”
The background of the ILC Resolution was given Dr. Robert S. Kittel, chairman of the IAYSP and regional coordinator of the International Media Association for Peace (IMAP) in the Asia-Pacific.
The ILC Resolution was presented by Rev. Dr. Eiji Tokuno, president of the International Highway Foundation and FFWPU-Japan. He said, “We ask that these proposals be given serious consideration, including [your] feedback and suggestions. We conclude with words of gratitude to Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-counder of the Universal Peace Federation, and congratulations to the Universal Peace Federation on its 15th Anniversary.”
In his closing statement, Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, chairman of UPF-Asia Pacific, a former member of parliament and two-time minister of the government of Nepal, said: “Around 10,000 people from 75 different countries registered for this conference. This is double the turnout compared to our original plan.
This three-day conference had 85 panelists from 27 nations and seven different religious traditions. Among them were four former heads of state and government; four first ladies; 10 lawmakers, including speakers of parliament; five diplomats, one of whom served as an ambassador to the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations; several university presidents; representatives from nine prominent media houses; and eight business enterprises.”
To go back to the executive summary for the Asia Pacific ILC, click here.
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