Peace and Development

UPF’s Southeast Europe region will host a program on Peace, Security and Human Development in Tirana, Albania, Oct. 25-27. There will also be the launch of the International Summit Council for Peace Europe Branch, Youth and Students for Peace Rally, Peace Road Balkans & Family Festival and Blessing Ceremony.

The panel came together as the reality of another deal which had been agreed between the European Union and the United Kingdom faces the other required steps of a process. While we are in a fundamentally different place than even two days ago, the relationship between the EU and the UK, tricky in the best of times, must negotiate further delicate territory. Video Link

The United Nations' theme of the Culture of Peace has been supported by the Universal Peace Federation and its Founders, Father and Mother Moon. This evening highlighted perspectives on the vision of 'Building a Culture of Peace' from Hon. Faisal Karim Kundi, former Deputy Speaker of Pakistan who is visiting the UK, Keith Best QC, Chair of UPF-UK's Board and Robin Marsh, UPF-UK Secretary General.

Universal Peace Federation - UK (UPF-UK) has been recognised as a Charity by the UK Charity Commission. Briefly summarised, the agreed Objects of the charity are: First, the promotion of national and international conflict resolution and reconciliation. The second set of objects are to promote racial and religious harmony and peaceful co-existence between people of different religions, cultures, races and nations. (For the detail read more below.)

Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation

It was an insightful programme introducing the principles of Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation. Facilitated by Dr Yehoeshahfaht Ben Israel, an eclectic group attended the session. The vast majority showed interest in taking the longer training being offered. With both small discussion groups considering some core principles and exercises to practice the listening skills needed to mediate, it was a profound experience.

The 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize Award will be presented to two worthy individuals: H.E. Macky Sall, current president of Senegal, and Bishop Dr. Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Palestine. A Founders’ Award will be presented to former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the Republic of Korea. This is in commemoration of the the centenary of UPF Co-Founder, the late Rev Dr Sun Myung Moon. ow.ly/mLH950wCFTU

UPF's Africa Day celebration was an inspiring, passionate, colourful day with a contrast of speeches highlighting injustice, cultural dancing and singing. It was a programme with many Africans who had expertise or concern about a region of the African continent. Refugees from Eritrea, Egyptian rap about youth poverty in the land of the Pharoahs, poorly performing hydro-electric dams in DRC, to mentoring the future potential leadership across Africa: it was an eclectic mix.