The Annual Seasonal Gathering was a time for reviewing all Universal Peace Federation's great work during 2007 as well as assisting the development of UPF in the UK. The early section in Lancaster Gate, UPF Headquarters, was designed to inform 40 close Ambassadors for Peace of UPF activities around the world as well as emphasise its core values. Mr. Tim Miller gave presentations on Peace Council development. These were followed by discussion groups on how Peace Councils and their Standing Committees could develop both locally and nationally. The afternoon included presentations on activities that had been successful during 2007. Mrs. Francoise Murphy spoke about her work in Watford. Dr. David Earle said that through the women’s peace meetings in Birmingham there had been many fruits including the Hyderabad Interfaith Children’s Home. There was a report from Bristol about their growing foundation by Rev. Dawnecia Palmer. There was a report from Dr Raheem Khan on the Manchester UPF event that revealed the power of Ambassadors for Peace combining to develop local chapters. Photo Link
He had asked his friend, the former Lord Mayor of Manchester to support UPF. The meeting was held in Manchester Town Hall at a very high level. Dr Khan also contributed to the Family and Marriage Peace Council committee report along with Mr. Eddie Hartley. Cllr. Margaret Ali and Mrs. Saleha Jaffer gave a presentation on the Community Cohesion activities during the year including two events in the House of Commons. Rev. Robin Marsh reported on MEPI activity and several Medical Projects that had developed from this initiative.
The evening event began with refreshments in a nearby hotel. There were approximately 200 people attending the evening. Following refreshments there was a review of the UPF - UK activities of the year and an explanation of the Global Peace Festival.
Several AFPs gave comments about the work of UPF to the audience. These included Cllr. Faizullah Khan, the Speaker of Hackney, Dr Shamsuddin Agha, the President ofhe Indian Muslim Association, Cllr. Janet Baddeley, Cllr. Munawar Gundal and Ms. Friedericke Rice.
There were presentations of Ambassador for Peace awards to six deserving people. They included Yasmin Sheikh OBE who is the presenter of Sky News Asian Channel said that it was her first evening but that she felt at home being totally comfortable with everyone there and the presentations in the event. Some of the others awarded were Cllr. Javinder Chauhan of Universal Brotherhood, Dr Arun Trivedi of Indusind Bank and Dr Javaid Singh.
The day ended with entertainment from some of the young participants including twelve year old piano prodigy Cassandra Yong, the Hanna family, Bernard Chellew, a Japanese choir, the Sakura Club and a Japanese singer, Tammy.