Washington, DC, (*350*). 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPF International Leadership Summit Addresses Korean Reconciliation, Religious Freedom, and
New Peace Alliances in Africa and the World
Condolences Expressed for late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
International leaders on the Universal Peace Federation’s (UPF) Summit 2022 and Leadership Conference affirmed their assist for international peacebuilding, particularly on the Korean Peninsula. Sessions addressed the common proper to spiritual freedom and known as for extra training of youth in Africa.
Some 350 world leaders from the 157 nations with diplomatic relations with both North or South Korea attended the August 11-15, 2022, convention, both in particular person or just about, at Jamsil Lotte Hotel in Seoul, to debate “Toward Peace on the Korean Peninsula: Toward a World Culture of Peace.” In his welcoming remarks, UPF Chairman Thomas G. Walsh expressed hope that the main focus and imaginative and prescient for peace on the Korean Peninsula might be taken to a broader stage, and that “the divided world be reconciled into one humanity and one global culture of peace.”
In addition to calling for peace, the leaders expressed deep condolences for the lack of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. UPF provided a video and floral tribute.
“My grandfather said the one thing people cannot go without is peace,” mentioned Sheikh Mansour Diouf of the Murid Brotherhood in Senegal. “We are supposed to be brothers…” This sentiment was echoed by lots of the spiritual leaders.
Korean reconciliation was a serious theme, as a result of ardour of UPF co-founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who had been born in what’s now North Korea. In 1991, anti-communist Rev. Moon went to Pyongyang to satisfy communist North Korea chief Kim Il-sung. The two males embraced as brothers and agreed to launch varied initiatives collectively. That unity underscores the hope to carry peace to the 80 million individuals on the Korean Peninsula, regardless of many years of division, mentioned Dr. Michael Jenkins, President, UPF International.
Along with the convention, UPF organized a Fact-Finding Delegation for Peace on the Korean Peninsula with US officers and South Korean leaders. Amb. Joseph DeTrani, Special Envoy to the Six-Party Talks with DPRK (2003-2006); Amb. Harry Harris, a US Navy admiral who served as US Ambassador to South Korea from 2018 to 2021; (Ret.) Gen. Walter Sharp, who led US forces, the UN Command, and ROK-US Combined Forces Command (2008-2011); and Dr. Alexandre Mansourov, Adjunct Professor on the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Studies at Georgetown University, provided their assessments. (Full particulars can be obtainable at UPF.org).
“Idealism must be rooted in realism,” mentioned Amb. Harris. He praised South Korea President Suk-yeol Yoon for his intentions “to make the US-ROK Alliance the centerpiece of his foreign policy,” as which means outreach to Japan in addition to navy readiness.
Former US President Donald Trump, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Cambodia Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, Dr. Sok Siphana, head of Asian Vision Institute, and former Taiwan Vice President Lu Hsiu-lien provided remarks on the necessity to obtain peace.
Protecting spiritual freedom worldwide was one other main theme. Religious freedom is “the most important single topic on the planet,” mentioned US House Speaker Newt Gingrich (1995-1999). That is as a result of it presupposes God’s existence and God’s bestowing rights to humanity, and this kinds the idea of freedom, he defined.
Religious freedom is essential to safety issues, added US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (2018-2021), recalling that he all the time left his Bible open on his desk for inspiration. “Nations that threaten others, like China and Iran” additionally “have death holds” on spiritual freedoms, he famous.
From Japan, lawyer Norishige Kondo of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) talked about “a serious crisis of religious freedom in our country.” He spoke of the surreal scenario of Japan’s media transferring blame for the brutal assassination of Prime Minister Abe from the shooter to FFWPU. He mentioned human rights violations towards 4,300 FFWPU members, whereas FFWPU member Toru Goto talked about his kidnapping, 12-year confinement, and lawsuits towards perpetrators.
Hon. Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion, European Union (2016-2019), famous that whereas 84% of the world inhabitants claims spiritual affiliation, 79% stay in international locations “with high or very high obstacles to religious freedom.” Religious prejudice generates three evils—”intolerance, discrimination, and persecution,” mentioned Dr. Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions in Italy.
A 3rd main spotlight was about strengthening peace and prosperity in Africa
The rising energy of Africa—the place the typical age is 20—brings alternatives for training, jobs, encouraging peace, and defending the setting, particularly desertification. “It is imperative for us: We must train our youth so that they can resolutely take charge of their destiny,” mentioned H.E. Brigi Rafini, Executive Secretary of the Community of Sahel and (*157*) States (CEN-SAD) and former Prime Minister of Niger.
At a day International Youth Leaders Conference, leaders from Malawi, Nigeria, Eswatini, Cape Verde, Somalia, DR Congo, and Niger mentioned the significance of vocational coaching and character training for African youth. This was adopted by the signing of an settlement to boost “youth for peace.”
In a separate session, Imboni Dr. Uzwi-Lezwe Radebe, founding father of the Revelation Spiritual Home in South Africa, joined Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Hon. Issaka Sourwema, Minister of Religious and Customary Affairs of Burkina Faso; H.E. Rev. Nevers Mumba, Founder of the National Christian Coalition in Zambia; and Dr. Nokuzola Mndende, National Chairperson of the Council of African Religion in South Africa, to debate a decision to guard spiritual freedom in Africa. This decision was subsequently signed.
Other highlights:
—The fortieth Anniversary of The Washington Times. Chairman Thomas P. McDevitt, President and Executive Editor Christopher Dolan, and Opinion Editor Charles Hurt spoke of The Times’ influence and its dedication to correct information and the beliefs of freedom, religion, and household.
—The sixtieth Anniversary of The Little Angels. The world-famous youngsters’s people ballet firm based by Rev. and Mrs. Moon gave an exquisite particular efficiency to the delight of convention contributors.
—Visionary Sessions on Peace, Family, Science, Media, Higher Education, Youth, and Religion. The HJ Academic Foundation hosted greater than 50 academicians for exciting discussions on subjects equivalent to a Unity of Science motion, Character Education and the University within the Next 100 Years, the God Conference and Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community, the Women’s Movement and Family, and CEN-SAD Conference on Youth Education.
—Resolutions: Summit leaders signed the Resolution for a Universal Peace Charter; a Declaration on the Universal Value of Religious Freedom; a decision to advertise interfaith cooperation inside Africa; and an settlement between the CEN-SAD, UPF, International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) and the Sunhak Educational Foundation to develop vocational coaching and character training for African youth.
—A particular program to commemorate the tenth Anniversary of the passing of the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. North Korean Premier Kim Jong-un despatched flowers and a private message to Mrs. Moon, mentioned UPF International Director-General Dr. Yun Young-ho.
— The fifth THINK TANK 2022 Forum. Experts gathered to debate concrete concepts on the right way to obtain reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The discussion board can be broadcast at a future date.
Among the greater than 100 distinguished audio system had been: Senegal President Macky Sall; H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, President, Nigeria; Hon. Mike Pence, US Vice President (2017-2021); Hon. Dan Burton, US Member of Congress (1983-2013); Beeland Interests Chairman Jim Rogers; Pastor Paula White-Cain, City of Destiny Church; Bishop Don Meares, the Evangel Cathedral; Hee-Taek Chung, President of the Segye Ilbo newspaper; H.E. Boris Tadic, President (2004-2012), Serbia; H.E. Yves Leterme, Prime Minister (2008, 2009-2011), Belgium; H.E. Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister (2006-2009), Israel; Hon. Neziha Labidi, Minister of Women, Family & Children (2016-2020), Tunisia; Hon. German Blanco Alvarez, Senator, Colombia; Hon. Grigore Novac, Member of Parliament, Moldova; Hon. Prof. Sunaina Singh, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University, India; Mme. Adi Koila Nailatikau, First Lady (2009-2015), Fiji; H.E. Johnson Toribiong, President (2009-2013), Palau; Hon. Patricia Terrazas Baca, Member of Parliament, Mexico; Dr. Ann Higgins, President, World Dance Congress, Bahamas; Hon. Dave Laksono, Member of Parliament, Indonesia; Hon. Ross Robertson, Member of Parliament (1987-2014), New Zealand; and H.E. Jose Manuel Barroso, President, European Commission, (2004-2014).
For media inquiries:
William P. Selig
Communications Director
Universal Peace Federation
Ph: 240-274-1744
Email: [email protected]
www.UPF.org
