Peace and Development

Kathmandu, Nepal - A new book written by Dr. Robert S. Kittel entitled 'Two Paths to Peace' is a case study highlighting the role which the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Nepal has played, and continues to play, in helping peace return to the Land of Buddha.

It was presented to the Hon. Nilamber Acharya, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of the Constituent Assembly on April 12, 2010. A total of 70 books were given to the committee at a program organized at the Parliament Secretariat. The book also offers insights into UPF Founders, Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, and documents the contributions of their visits to Nepal and the initiatives they inspired to the peace process in Nepal from 2005 to 2009.  Buy or Download Book      Report by UPF Nepal.

UPF’s Role: Peacemaker, Peacebuilder Traditionally, the term “peace education” includes three categories: peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peacebuilding. Peacekeeping can be defined as violence management. Its goal is to respond to situations where violence has already broken out and prevent it from escalating further. Here, the people and Government of Nepal, UNMIN, and other international governmental and non-governmental organizations are the main players. They are the ones moving, coaching and guiding the peace process. UPF applauds and encourages their work. To support this, UPF has been making significant contributions in the areas of peacemaking and peacebuilding. 

The primary goal of peacemaking is conflict resolution. Incorporating a variety of techniques to resolve disputes, peacemaking tries to get the fighting parties to work out their differences rather than resort to military force. UPF and the National Family Party have focused in these areas with the peace federation working mainly in civil society while the Family Party has been working in the political arena. Some of the main projects in this area include: the World Peace Tours, the South Asia peace Initiative (SAPI), leadership and good governance seminars, inter-religious conferences, reconciliation picnics and inter-ethnic community service programs. Highlighting these will be the main focus of this book and will be covered in the section, “Peacemaking: Parallel Tracks.” The following chapter, “Supporting the Peace Process,” let’s some of the Nepalese leaders who have participated in our programs speak for themselves.

Peacebuilding works to create a culture of peace in the society at all levels, promoting non-violent strategies as legitimate means to address differences and disagreements. Here too UPF has made important contributions. Character education program are taught in school, colleges and universities, women’s micro-finance projects have been launched, young couples are given marriage preparation and family-life courses. UPF and its affiliated organizations operate orphanages, schools, businesses, a trekking company, a travel agency and a weekly newspaper and have on-going international student exchange programs and religious pilgrimages to Nepal. The chapter, “Peacebuiding: Civil Society Initiatives” touches on some of this programs.

Read More of original article by UPF Nepal.    Buy or Download Book