The 10th Anniversary Commemoration of Founding UPF, the Sunhak Peace Prize Conference Held in India and Nepal

‘The more Interreligious and Multiracial a Country, the more Desperate it is for Family Values and for Societal Cohesion’ The 10th Anniversary Commemoration of Founding UPF, the Sunhak Peace Prize Conference Held in India and Nepal in November… Family Federation Dr. Hak Ja Han: “Affairs of mankind solvable by teachings of True Love.”

In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the founding of UPF, the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee and the Universal Peace Federation opened a Peace Conference with a topic of “Peace Prize for Future Generations: Seeking Solutions to Climate Change and the World Food Crisis” in November, with leaders from India and Nepal in the fields of politics, religion, economics, academics and NGO attending.

At the conference held in India on the 23rd of November, Chairman of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee Il-Shik Hong (former President of Korea University), the joint winner of the 1st Sunhak Peace Prize Dr. Modadugu Gupta, the Union Minister of Rural Development Chowdhury Birender Singh, Vice Representative of the Bharatiya Janata group Shri Shyam, Indian Senator Sing Go Siraya, and President of the Asian Continent of UPF Chung-Sik Yong attended the event. Beginning with a period of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris, the event proceeded in the order of a song of celebration - a showing of a video about UPF - a showing of a video on the Sunhak Peace Prize - a special lecture by President Chung-Sik Yong - the presentation of the certificates of appointment to peace ambassadors and the awarding the founding members of the

UPF of India - a congratulatory message from the Minister of Rural Development Chaudhary Birender Singh - a welcoming message and performance report by Commissioner of Education Robert Kittel - a speech by Dr. Modadugu Gupta - and closing message by Sikkim State former Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh.

Chairman Il-Shik Hong said through his keynote address, “The Sunhak Peace Prize was established by the suggestion of Dr. Hak Ja Han in order to celebrate the theories and achievements of Reverend Sun Myung Moon, and to enhance their maintenance. Reverend Sun Myung Moon was an individual that devoted himself to building a community for mankind with the belief of ‘All of mankind is one big family,’” and further appraised, “The first winners of the Sunhak Peace Prize are righteous people that perpetuate world peace with a love for mankind that transcends borders in a universal way. The dreams and efforts towards creating a world without poverty and famine are making a miracle for poor countries in gaining self-reliance, becoming in actuality the seeds of world peace.”

Chairman Hong then revealed, “The Sunhak Peace Prize is meant to establish a future of global peace on Earth by discovering and recognizing brave righteous people that love mankind like their own family and create world peace, under the central banner of ‘Mankind as one Family, Peace Prize for Future Generations.’”

“Peace begins at the level of family and rises to the level of districts and religion.”

The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee held the “1st Sunhak Peace Prize Awards Ceremony” at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas Hotel in Gangnam, Seoul on the 28th of August, with 1,000 people participating. The 1st Sunhak Peace Prize was jointly awarded to Kiribati President Anote Tong and Dr. Modadugu Gupta from India. The founder of the Sunhak Peace Prize Dr. Hak Ja Han and Chairman Il-Shik Hong presented a medal and plaque to the recipients. The Sunhak Peace Prize is presented along with one million dollars annually (approximately 1.1 billion won), and is awarded to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the peace and welfare of our future generations.

Dr. Gupta said in his speech at the peace conference on the 23rd of November, “I am honored to be able to participate. I am thankful towards the vision of Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han. Many people think that peace will be here when the disputes between countries disappear.” He further emphasized, “However, peace starts at the stage of family and ascends to the levels of district and religion. The Sunhak Peace Prize has focused on solving the problems of food shortages and climate change.”

Dr. Gupta also said, “In 2050, with an increase of the population, there will be many changes to maritime and geological structures, due to climate change. Food crises don’t occur only because of a lack of food.” He added, “India is a globally renowned rice-producing nation, but because food is not distributed properly, many people are starving. We have to solve such issues.”

Participating as the representative of the Indian government, Minister of Rural Development Chaudhary Birender Singh said in the congratulatory message, “I truly congratulate the 10th Anniversary of UPF and the Sunhak Peace Prize. In a speech given the previous year, the President of India said, ‘In the past six years, there have been more changes than in the last 600 years.’” He added, “In our current societal system we don’t have enough patience. A quarter of the population of seven billion people is deciding the course of direction for the remaining three quarters.”

In his introduction of the keynote speakers, President of the Asian Continent of UPF Chung-Sik Yong explained, “The Sunhak Peace Prize and UPF have the same initiative. It is to remove conflicts and to protect the value of family. Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han concentrated on peace in order to create an eternal world of peace. We are here today for the promotion of world peace.” Chairman Il-Shik Hong met the Indian Speaker of the House Sumitra Mahajan at the National Assembly office, and explained the purpose and value of the Sunhak Peace Prize. Here, Chairman Hong said, “The purpose of the establishment by founder Dr. Hak Ja Han is naturally important, but it is also important who is awarded. The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee finds the fact that Dr. Gupta from India has been awarded to be very significant.” To this Speaker Mahajan revealed, “Sustainable peace movements are important, and I shall actively support the activities of UPF and the Sunhak

Peace Prize Committee.”

Founded in New York, USA, in 2005, the UPF is an International Solidarity Organization with the position of being a Special Advisory group of the Economical Council of the UN, and has been active not only in Korea, but all over the world, as well.

Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han said in their speeches throughout their world tour, “Even at this moment, all over the world, thousands of innocent lives are being sacrificed due to war, disease, famine and natural disasters,” and presented a direction for the future by saying, “If you look at any field, such as religion, politics, education, culture and innovation, individuals and groups are stuck in a quagmire of stubbornness and selfishness, and have closed their doors completely. The numerous problems mankind faces can only be solved by the theory of ‘One Family Under God’ that Reverend Moon and myself have received from the heavens, and have professed to and advocated for our whole lives; thus, the teachings of True Love.”

Nepal President Bhandari, Agrees to Peace Ambassador for Universal Peace Federation

Following the event in India, on the 24th of November the Peace Conference in Celebration of the Sunhak Peace Prize and the 10th Anniversary of the Foundation of UPF took place at the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu Hotel in Nepal, hosted by the Parliamentary Peace Council (PPC) and UPF. At the event on this day, Nepalese Chairman Onsari Gharti Magar, Vice-Chairman Ganga Yadav, Minister of the Agriculture Haribol Gajurel, 29 other Members of the National Assembly, Chairman Il- Shik Hong, and President Chung-Sik Yong participated the event, with a total of 70 people present.

The event in Nepal proceeded in the order of the national anthem of Nepal, opening remarks by Nepal House of Representatives Member Ek Nath Dhakal, a showing of a video on the Sunhak Peace Prize, a special lecture by President Chung-Sik Yong, the keynote address by Chairman Il-Shik Hong, a presentation of certificates of appointment as Peace Ambassadors to the Chairman and Vice- Chairman of Nepal, a congratulatory message by Chairman Ghati, a congratulatory performance, followed by closing remarks by House of Representative Member Dhan Gurung.

In his congratulatory message, Chairman Ansari Ghati said, “I found out that Dr. Hak Ja Han had founded the Sunhak Peace Prize after inheriting the theory of peace that Reverend Moon spent his

whole life using to fulfill one human family that transcends race, religion and nations. Representing the Assembly, I wish for the good health and good fortune of Dr. Hak Ja Han,” and added, “It has been 43 years since Nepal and Korea have become close. The vast development that has occurred in Korea over a short period of time is very encouraging to Nepal. I hope that the citizens and the governments of each country will continue to cooperate with one another.”

In his opening address, Chairman of PPC Nepal and House of Representatives Member Ek Nath Dhakal said, “The PPC Nepal that the Constituent National Assembly Chairman Subhas Chandra Nembang began is composed of members of the National Assemblies from India and Nepal, and currently has 60 members,” and revealed, “With the principles of peace, friendship, reconciliation and volunteerism, PPC Nepal has been devoted to creating a culture of peace with the foothold of law, democracy and universal values. PPC Nepal holds an objective of promoting international cooperation, creating harmony amongst interreligious groups, improving a public spirit and good governance. The Sunhak Peace Prize shares a similar vision and mission objective with PPC Nepal.”

On the 25th of November, Chairman Il-Shik Hong met with Bidhya Devi Bhandari, the first woman to be selected as President of Nepal, and a meeting was held in the office of the President.

President Bhandari said, “I wish for the good health of Dr. Hak Ja Han, and for the further development of the Sunhak Peace Prize. Nepal is also devoting to world peace,” and emphasized, “Nepal is in a time of difficulty, so there are many challenges. The people of Nepal are trying to learn many things from Korea, and are studying hard to go to Korea. Korea-Nepal families are also increasing. It is my wish that both countries may overcome social and cultural differences and create harmony.”

Chairman Il-Shik Hong explained to President Bhandari the purpose and spirit of the founding of the Sunhak Peace Prize by Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han. To this, President Bhandari responded by accepting the Peace Ambassador appointment for the Universal Peace Federation.

A member of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee said, “I hope the fervor of the Sunhak Peace Prize Awards Ceremony and the peace conference that took place in Asia serves as a chance for the respect and love for humanity that founders of the Sunhak Peace Prize Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han held as their philosophy for peace can be awakened,” and added, “The Sunhak Peace Prize and the peace conference will harmonize with love all of the conflicts that hinder peace, and become a grain of wheat that creates a world where human beings coexist with the ecosystem.”

President Bhandari emphasized, “Many people from Nepal are making an effort to learn a lot from Korea, and are studying hard to go there,” and “Many Korea-Nepal families are also being formed. It is my wish both countries may overcome the social and cultural differences and create harmony.”

1a. The Nepal Peace Council and UPF opened a Peace Conference in celebration of the UPF 10th Anniversary of Foundation at the Hyatt Regency Kathmandu Hotel in Nepal on the 24th of November.

2a. Joint winner of the 1st Sunhak Peace Prize Dr. Modadugu Gupta is giving a speech.

1b. Members of the Nepal Peace Council are listening to a speech at the peace conference.

2b. President of Nepal Bhindia Bhandari and Minister of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee Il-Shik Hong taking a commemorative photo after the conference has finished.