International Leadership Conference: A Vision for Peacebuilding in the Global Era
The Universal Peace Federation, in cooperation with Ambassadors for Peace of all nations and faiths, has been involved in peacebuilding throughout the world through interreligious dialogue, consultations on peace and security, initiatives for peace in areas of conflict, peace education, and a multitude of other programs. UPF's peacebuilding principles and practices were presented, and respected statesmen and Ambassadors for Peace gave their perspective on the critical challenges of our time and their vision for bringing effective peacebuilding solutions.
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The Programme began with a sense of curiosity and gratitude for each person who has put their confidence in the UPF over the next few days despite their busy schedules. What has drawn each person to this conference? What is their motivation and what do they do that might be in common with our own UPF Team? A man from Pakistan is introduced to others from Pakistan but living here in London. A group from an African nation drop by to meet a journalist who I know will advise them. Someone from Afghanistan is connected to a senior figure from Afghanistan who could inspire him. This and ten more connections are made by the end of the first session.
Keith Best QC, is a former MP and a Barrister. He is also a Director of UK - UPF. He greeted the audience to the UK and the conference itself. He explained that this type of conference was important to improve understanding and give different perspectives that are not available keeping to our own circle of friends and media.
Mr. Umberto Angelucci, Chair, UPF Middle East and North Africa was the moderator. His experience of living in Afghanistan for a number of years during troubled times has provided a bond that he shares with many in the audience. A memorable quote was, 'Afghanistan is like swimming in the desert' he said.
Speakers:
Mr. Jack Corley, Chair, UPF Europe, has great experience sharing UPF's ideals and about UPF's Founders to audiences all over the world. He emphasised that peace is decided by the attitude and motivation of the human heart. He explained the privilege he had to be at the frontline of human history while the Soviet Union collapsed. He continued stating that God is a loving parent who cares for all God's children.
Mr. Jacques Marion, Secretary General, UPF Europe has been focussing on developing UPF Europe for only the last year. He also has wide experience of explaining the principles that underlie UPF in Africa, Russia and China. He emphasised that 'True Love' means altruism or living for the sake of others. He explained that the International Highway Project was a means to develop the world's resources but also to bring wealth and fulfil the talents of all of humanity. Both presenters referred to the Inter-religious Council at the United Nations that Father Moon had initiated. If the UN does not pay attention to religious influences it is like a body without a conscience.
Commentators:
Prof. J. Martin Ramirez, Chair, Centre for Conflict Studies, Nebrija University, Spain comments that human beings are not naturally predisposed to violence. Prof. Ramirez was a participant in conferences run by UPF's predecessors in the 1980's.
Dr. Ramirez chairs the Nebrija-Santander Chair on Analysis and Resolution of Conflicts at Nebrija University. A former Head of the Psychobiology Department at Seville and Complutense Universities, he was Director of the Rector’s Cabinet at Madrid Autonomous University. He is a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, Chair of CICA International and the Spanish Pugwash Movement (Nobel Peace Prize 1995), and serves on the Board of several other prestigious Spanish and international societies. He is the author of more than 450 scientific publications translated into several languages.
Hon. Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, Vice President, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy; former Speaker of the Luxembourg Parliament
Mrs. Hennicot-Schoepges, after a career as a concert pianist and a professor at the Luxembourg Conservatory, stepped into politics. She became the first woman president of the Luxembourg Parliament and held several government portfolios including Culture, Religions, Education, Higher Education, Research and Public Works. As a member of the European Parliament she was appointed Rapporteur to the EP on the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2008. She was the founder of the University of Luxembourg and is currently the Vice President of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in Berlin.
Amb. Robert Vandemeulebroucke, Ambassador (Ret.), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belgium
Ambassador Vandemeulebroucke holds degrees in History of Art and Archaeology and has had a distinguished career in the diplomatic corps at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium. He served in various positions in Central Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Great Britain. He was Minister Plenipotentiary and Head of BIT Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, and an Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar. He retired from the diplomatic service in 2008.
Opening Banquet:
Moderators: Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Vice President, Women’s Federation for World Peace International / Mr. Robin Marsh, Secretary General, UPF
United Kingdom.
Edwin Shuker, ( Video Link ) a leading member of the Jewish community in the UK, Vice President of the European Jewish Council and the World Sephardic Council, spoke of the need for greater freedom with more order and less tranny that usually comes with greater order. He felt this was the challenge facing the conference deliberations.
Invocation:
Rev. Dr. Marcus Braybrooke, President, World Congress of Faiths
Rev. Dr. Braybrooke, a retired Anglican parish priest, has been involved in interfaith work, especially through the World Congress of Faiths which he joined in 1964 and currently presides. He was Executive Director of the Council of Christians and Jews from 1984 to 1988; he is a co-founder of the Three Faiths Forum, a patron of the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford and a Peace Councillor. In September 2004 he was awarded a Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity by the Archbishop of Canterbury “in recognition of his contribution to the development of interreligious cooperation and understanding throughout the world.” He has written over 40 books on world religions and together with UPF has coordinated a series of conferences on the topic of “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.”
Sheikh Dr. Hojjat Ramzy, Executive Member, Muslim Council of Britain
Sheikh Dr. Hojjat Ramzy, is the Director of the Oxford Islamic Information Centre and the Muslim Chaplain at Oxford Brookes University. Born in the Middle East, Sheikh Ramzy has lived in Oxford for over 30 years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford Brookes University and completed further Islamic studies at Markfield Institute in Leicester. As an Islamic scholar, he has worked with several governmental and non-governmental organisations and with religious leaders of all faiths. He established the Oxford Islamic Information Centre to provide accurate and accessible information about Islam with a view to promoting understanding, peace and brotherhood within the local and national community.
Welcoming Remarks: Dr. Thomas Walsh, International President, Universal Peace Federation, described the role that UPF and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace should perform to make an impact on the world that is currently very troubled.
Baroness Sandip Verma has been a member of the British Government for the last 10 years in different areas of responsibility. She has been a champion for women's rights and the prevention of violence against women. She said she was grateful for the good work of UPF to gather people of all backgrounds, races and cultures. She wanted to see more women leaders in order that there would be a more peaceful world.
Baroness Verma was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change in September 2012. She is a Conservative member of the House of Lords. In 2006 she was raised to the peerage as Baroness Verma of Leicester in the County of Leicestershire. She was Opposition Whip from 2006 to 2010, then Government Whip following the 2010 general election. Prior to becoming Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for DECC, she was Spokesperson for the Cabinet Office, International Development, Women and Equalities and Business Innovation and Skills. Convinced that one can make a difference by empowering people to help themselves, she speaks about innovation, forward thinking and skill development.
H.E. Alfred Moisiu, President of Albania (2002-2007) gave the final remarks of the evening.
President Moisiu, after graduating from the Moscow Academy of Military Engineering in 1958, served in high positions at the Ministry of Defence and received in 1979 his PhD in Military Science. He served twice as Vice Minister of Defence, in 1981 and 1991. After establishing the Albanian North Atlantic Association in 1994, he guided the reform of the Albanian Armed Forces and Albania’s integration into NATO. In 2002 he was elected President of Albania by consensus of the ruling and opposition parties. During his presidency, he was active in solving internal political conflicts and strove to develop regional peace initiatives.