11th Anniversary of Universal Peace Federation's Co-Founder - Father Sun Myung Moon and the 18th Anniversary of Universal Peace Federation
Universal Peace Federation UK
29th August, 2023
Click on title for the video report from each speaker. For photos see here
Held on August 29th at Universal Peace Federation (UPF) UK's London HQ on the occasion of the 11th Anniversary of Father Moon's (UPF Co-Founder) Ascension. This was an opportunity to understand the original vision of Father Moon, as well as Mother Moon, for UPF. The 11th Anniversary of Father Moon's Ascension, as well as the 18th Anniversary of the Universal Peace Federation (12th September 2005) provides a chance to reflect on the inaugural vision for UPF, as given by Father Moon in a succession of speeches during a series of world tours as well as the passion for UPF's development that he invested in the later years of his life. These speeches were rooted in his perspective of a world that recognises its interdependence, and seeks to build mutual prosperity based on universal values aligned with God who loves us all equally, as one family of humanity.
There have been several major events such as the World Summit in February 2020 to highlight the centenary year in 2020 of Father Moon's birth and to further explain his vision for building an extensive culture of peace. The website www.thelegacyoflove.org provides more information about the centenary and the successive Rallies of Hope. The World Summit in February 2022 was very significant in demonstrating the reach and capacity of UPF to influence a global audience. (see www.upf.org for the reports of the World Summit series) This was attended by many prominent VIP's and has given impetus to Father and Mother Moon's work for the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula.
Rev. Dr. David Hanna, President of UPF for Northern Europe, highlighted eight points that Father Moon, late in his life, had proclaimed as his victories when reflecting on his life.
Mr. Keith Bennett: Deputy Chair of the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il Foundation. He has visited North Korea 50 times during his life and received two Friendship Awards from President Kim Il Sung himself. The meeting of Father Moon with the late President Kim Il Sung was a remarkable occasion when adversaries came to reconcile for the sake of the Korean peninsula. They were said to speak with the same dialect and they commented that 'blood is thicker than water' when reflecting on their relationship. It was intriguing for President Kim Il Sung that Father Moon's life course had been set by the revelations received on Mt Myodu, in what is now North Korea.
Rev Dr Dato Sumana Siri D.Th (Oxford): Buddhist Realists' Vihara. Most Venerable Dr Dato’ Sir Sumana Siri of Singapore Malaysia (D.Th (Oxford), PhD (VN), D.B.S, B.A (Hons), D. Hom (Med)(UK), D.H.M, N.M.D (USA) FBIH (UK) Medical Consultant, CEO, Global Buddhist Realist Movement, is the Chief Sangha Nayaka of UK and Europe (ie. Buddhist Cardinal of U.K. and Europe). Rev Dr Dato Sumana Siri has celebrated 50 years of monkhood in 2023. He is proficient in 16 languages. In the year 2000, for 9 months he walked the entire Great Wall of China creating a world record. Yet, he had time to finish his Post Graduate Degree in Christian Theology at Oxford University. Of Sri Lankan heritage, he was born and brought up in Malaysia and Singapore. He was an exceptional student both at school and university. Of international fame and renown, he has been the leading light in modern Buddhist Missions. He has been a long-standing friend of the wider Unification Movement, since the mid - 1970's when he was a student in London. He attended events convened by organisations that preceded the UPF and are being continued now by UPF currently. He has spoken many times in UPF - UK's London HQ.
Keith Best TD, MA, Chairman of the UPF - UK Board of Trustees. Spoke on the 29th August at Universal Peace Federation (UPF) UK's London HQ on the occasion of the 11th Anniversary of Father Moon's (UPF Co-Founder's) Ascension. He describes Rev Moon as a role model who stood for peace and to bring people together while inspiring others to follow his lifestyle as others like Mahatma Ghandhi, Nelson Mandela etc. have also done. He describes Father Moon as someone who gave respect to all humanity, regardless of race, religion or nationality, because they were all created in the image of God.
Keith Best TD, MA, is currently also Chair & CEO Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust, Chair Charity 2020, Executive Chair World Federalist Movement (WFM/IGP), Secretary Parliamentary Outreach Trust, European Movement; Patron of The European-Atlantic Movement (TEAM); media appearances on migration and other matters; Freeman City of London.
Mr Ahmed Shebani: Founder and President of the Democratic Party of Libya. He is also a long-standing Ambassador for Peace who has attended several Universal Peace Federation International Leadership Conferences in Seoul, Korea.
Nic Careem, the founder of the Blue Sky Network, on the occasion of the 11th Anniversary of Universal Peace Federation Co-Founder Father Moon's Ascension in London's UPF - UK HQ.
An Ambassador for Peace Award was presented to Dr Yehoeshahfaht Ben Israel on August 29th at the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) UK's London HQ. Dr Yehoeshahfaht Ben Israel was introduced to UPF UK by the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy when they began to partner with UPF UK for their events in London. As a qualified instructor, he presented an introduction to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Principles of Non-Violent Reconciliation in UPF - UK HQ in 2019. He has campaigned for peace, fairness and justice in many fora and on many issues. His support for the Institute of Cultural Diplomacy is a very natural fit. His speeches, particularly during a UPF Africa Day programme, have shown his passion for the search for peace, development and justice for Africans.