Becoming ‘Generation Peace’ - UPF Europe Youth Leadership Training in Sweden

Becoming ‘Generation Peace’ UPF Europe Youth Leadership Training Kloten, Sweden, 20. – 24. August 2014

U PF Europe hosted its first Youth Leadership Training in the scenic village of Kloten, Bergslagen, Sweden. This training brought together young people, not only from Scandinavia and other key European nations, but also Russia and sessions very interactive. The participants’ active contribution in each session was key to the workshop’s success. They all revolved around a shared theme of starting and developing UPF peace activities around Europe. Interspersed throughout North Africa. the duration of the workshop were also reports on the various initiatives and projects from Youth UPF Altogether 10 nations were represented: Sweden, around Europe. Finland, Denmark, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Malta, Tunisia, and Russia. There were 45 participants, including 1st & 2nd gen young people and parents who came to help and support. Since October 2011 and in different regions of Europe, Youth UPF has been bringing together young people to challenge themselves by going beyond national boundaries and social divisions within their societies. The aim of this workshop was to 1. Train the leadership in already active chapters 2. Initiate new chapters in the Scandinavian region 3. Develop European level Youth UPF Projects Combined with the lectures, that gave both the About the sessions political and philosophical foundations for peace, as The schedule comprised mainly of four sessions a day well as the consensus on what peace is in world combining lectures, mini-workshops and group religions and the various interactive activities that discussions. An emphasis was put on making the focused on discussing relevant issues but also

techniques for project-building, the workshop served Moon’s Thought. Father Moon’s main philosophical as a good and general foundation for peace work for framework revolves around peace and is oriented the attendees. around the conception of history as a progression towards an ideal, through the providence of A lot of the participants were very appreciative and interaction between different societal strata inspired by the reports from the various Youth UPF (Individual - family - tribe - nation - world). Bogdan branches; there was no flaunting of past neatly described how the concept of an “ideal” and a achievements, but rather good advice and inspiring divine providence tied into the core philosophies of ideas given in a free and open manner. The reports UPF. also served as a reminder to the leaders of the various Youth UPF branches of how important Throughout the workshop there were a lot of intense communication can be, as they realized how little discussions both inside and outside of the schedule. they knew of UPF activities outside of their own In What challenges do our societies face? Hakim country. Salem organized the participants into small groups of think-tanks, tackling various social and political issues. In My Foundation, led by Alexandre Huard, the participants reflected upon their personal plans and projects, which was followed by discussion in groups where everyone could exchange feedback. The participants also enjoyed the Swedish wilderness. One activity was canoeing in a nearby lake. A few participants were lucky to be able to also see elks.

In the lecture Political Conceptions of Peace, given by Joana Pereira, a clear and succinct explanation was given of how the philosophical narrative on the concept of peace has developed in the western world, since the time of the ancient Greeks up to our modern times. Joana also talked about her unique experiences working within the European Union, as well as giving good advice on potential funding opportunities from the EU. Conceptions of Peace in World Religions gave an Results of the WS overview on various thoughts of peace in different world religions. It started with an excellent (1) The leaders of the active chapters (Austria, introduction by Asuka Östberg, followed by group France, Finland, Germany and UK) gained new discussion on selected parts from the holy scriptures resolve for their work and a clearer framework for of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, interaction between each other, and support of Confucianism and Buddhism. There was an emphasis individual chapters was established. The chapter on trying to understand how the message of the leaders are now equipped with additional resources different religions were essentially unified, and how that can assist them in their team management, these universal messages could help ourselves event planning and educational work. internally in preparation for practical endeavours. (2.1) Many previously inactive BCs determined to Mark Brann shared about the core principles and become active. We could hold a special session with genesis of the Universal Peace Federation. He Swedish 2nd gen in which they could share their highlighted the successful contribution of UPF to “pain and confusion” about the True Family’s peace and development in Nepal and shared from problems and they said this sharing was helpful and the recent Global Summit in Korea, thereby that as they work through their pain and difficulty highlighting the direction that our work in Europe they see themselves becoming involved in YUPF. should take. (2.2) A young Ambassador of Peace in Denmark got Bogdan Pammer gave an accessible introduction to inspired to start developing Youth UPF activities the philosophical background of UPF in Father there.

(2.3) Through the great work of the Swedish youth exchange focusing regionally on the Baltic sea movement led by Ingmarie Hedberg and many nations (Finland, Russia, etc.) and thematically on mothers and fathers coming to help with the holistic education, (3.2) a joint youth conference in workshop (cooking, serving and transportation etc) a Moscow, (3.3) Religious Youth Service Project and mini revival of the Swedish movement could take education activities in Tunisia. place. A trinity to revive UPF activities in Sweden was The workshop was overall a powerful kick-off for formed. national and European Youth UPF activities in the (3) Project-plans and time-lines for European level academic year 2014/2015 towards our goal of raising projects were developed and are ready to be put into well recognised national-level political, social and action. These projects include (3.1) an EU funded religious leaders in Europe by 2020.

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