UPF Europe and Middle East Newsletter No. 2 - October 2018

No. 2 | October 2018 Visit www.europe.upf.org for the complete reports.

WORLD NEWS and old—traveled on the Peace government. Deputy Mayor Andi BALKANS PEACE Road bus, representing 12 nations, Seferi greeted the participants. At including Mr. Gaqo Apostoli, the the end of the artistic program and ROAD VISITS chair of UPF-Albania and Mr. Ali performances, around 100 young SEVEN NATIONS Lacej, the coordinator of the Albanian Peace Council. people rode bicycles in Tirana until the Balkans Peace Road bus By Gani Rroshi and Mateo Ziko UPF-Albania brought the participants to their next The first event of the 2018 Balkans destination, the city of Shkodra. Bringing a message of peace to a Peace Road took place on October 3 region that is still recovering from in the Albanian Parliament with the With the cooperation and support of years of bloody conflict, the 2018 presence of the deputy speaker of Shkodra City Hall, 70 local bicyclists— Balkans Peace Road tour traveled the Parliament, Professor Vasilika both professional and amateur— through the nations of Albania, Hysi; former President Alfred Moisiu; cycled for peace around the city in Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, the world leader of the Bektashim the late afternoon before gathering Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina Muslim order, Hajji Dede Edmond at the main square where Mayor from October 3 to 9, with the final Brahimaj; the coordinator of IAPP in Voltana Ademi greeted participants. event scheduled to take place in Albania, Professor Dr. Shezai Rrokaj; By the next morning, October 4, Greece on October 21. Events were and many current and former the participants had crossed into held in 12 cities and involved over members of Parliament, Ambassadors Montenegro and had arrived in 30 partners, including the Albanian for Peace and young people— Podgorica, the capital. The city Parliament, eight municipalities, and altogether 150 people. Right after administration organized a program many bicycling clubs, as shown in the the Parliament event, a public event in the main square. where the deputy Peace Road banner and brochure. A took place in a main square of mayor, Mrs. Sladjana Vujacic, came to total of 25 participants—both young Tirana in cooperation with the city show her support.

1 | WORLD NEWS 7 | FOUNDER’S MESSAGE 8 | REGIONAL NEWS 12 | UPCOMING EVENTS

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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER Dr. Katsumi Otsuka, President, UPF Europe & Middle East Dear Readers! 500 participants f rom throughout Latin Crossing borders often involves crossing This second edition America and around the world; and the barriers of minds and hearts burdened of the UPF Europe 32 nd International Leadership Conference in with painful memories. The Peace Road & Middle East Seoul, South Korea, commemorating the sixth project is a global ideal envisioned by the Newsletter features anniversary of UPF founder Dr. Sun Myung UPF founders to connect nations beyond activities that took Moon’s ascension. ethnic, religious, political or economic di- place throughout vides. The Balkans Peace Road project will A recent project in the Balkan Peninsula our region mainly continue annually and will make a head- pioneered a new avenue for peacebuilding: between July and way for peace in this historical crossroads From October 1 to 11, the 2018 Balkans October 2018. of cultures in the heart of Europe. Peace Road brought together young people, Two large international events were parliamentarians, city mayors and other May this newsletter convey the dedication held during that period, attended by off icials on a tour linking seven nations of UPF Ambassadors for Peace and Ambassadors for Peace and other leaders that share a history of conflict: Albania, volunteers who are actively involved in f rom our region: the Latin America Summit Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, peacebuilding activities in this signif icant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which gathered Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece. year of 2018.

On the morning of October 5, the next event took place continued with a congratulatory banquet attended in the Montenegrin city of Rozaje in cooperation with by the speaker of Parliament, H.E. Talat Xhaferri. On the city administration with the support of Mayor Ejup October 7, the Balkans Peace Road headed toward Nurkovic. In the next destination, Peja, many people Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. The delegation was gathered in the main square and artistic performances welcomed at a dinner attended by several Ambassadors were organized by the city hall with the support of Peja for Peace, including Mr. Aleksandar Pekovic, the founder Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri. On the same day, the Peace of the ARTERIA Creative Network; Mr. Sinisa Ruzicic, Road delegation headed toward Pristina, the capital of a professional football coach and journalist. Kosovo, where the delegation was welcomed by Pristina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti in the Assembly Hall. The final event took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Symbolically the travelers went through Croatia to The next day, October 6, the participants crossed into include it in the Peace Road map. In Bosnia the Peace Macedonia and arrived in the capital, Skopje, where a Road event was combined with a Football for Peace event public was organized in cooperation with the government in the town of Bugojno. Two additional events of the 2018 of Čair, one of Skopje’s municipalities in the presence Balkans Peace Road were scheduled for October 21: in of Deputy Mayor Asif Bekteshi. The evening program the city of Korçë in southeastern Albania and the city of Kastoria in northwestern Greece.

1 The Peace Road participants were welcomed into the Albanian Parliament by Hon. Vasilika Hysi, Deputy Speaker. 2 The Peace Road bus departing f rom Skopje, Macedonia, to travel to Belgrade, Serbia.

3 3 The Peace Road cyclists in Shkodra City, Albania 4 With Sladana Vujacic, Deputy Mayor of Podgorica, capital of Montenegro

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AN ECONOMICALLY EFFICIENT RAILROAD PROJECT Dr. Victor Razbegin, Director, Interdepartmental Centre for The following is an excerpt of his address given at a forum Integrated Regional Transport Projects, Russian Ministry of organized by the Peace Road Foundation in Seoul, Korea, on Economic Development. August 26, 2018.

Today’s event is about the 26th Peace build the necessary rail links on the mainland, it will Road initiative in Korea and I always become possible to travel from Paris to New York by deeply respect people who design railroad. More important, however, is that this railroad and build roads, especially roads to would allow hitherto untapped mineral and other peace. The population of the earth resources to become available and would allow for the continues to increase and, in about development of these territories. Also, the electric power 40 years according to the forecasts, connections along these roads, would allow for the it will exceed 10 billion people. From development of hydroelectric and tidal power stations. the very beginning, humanity inhabited the planet very unevenly. The uneven nature of the initial opportunities I have to underline that this is an example of a really creates inequality and, at the same time, is an incentive for economically efficient railroad project. For a total development. However, too much inequality causes social required investment of 60-67 billion dollars, the return on tensions and does not lead to peace and harmony. investment would be between 13 and 15 years. From the technical point of view, crossing the Bering Strait involves Sea transport is the leading transportation mode, which favourable engineering and geological conditions. The is understandable given its relative cheapness, developed depths involved are not that great and there is almost no logistic services and the lack of need to cross the borders seismic risk. Nowadays, even more ambitious projects, of many countries along the road. However, it is not always such as building a tunnel under the Bohai bay, are being true that sea transport is cheaper, because you must take considered. I think that we will see this great experiment, into account all of the expenses, such as the costs at the which is the Bering Strait tunnel, become reality within port, those to reach the port from the main industrial the next few decades. Also, the Japan-Korea undersea centres, the change in the mode of transportation at each tunnel is technically more complex and difficult than the port, and so on. Rail transportation is always faster than Bering Strait tunnel, but I think that this could also be sea transportation and can sometimes be less expensive. economically profitable.

If we examine the international rail network, we can see Thus, we can say that investment in infrastructure that there are some critical points, some of which have creates opportunities for peace, for social and economic been overcome, such as the English Channel and, in some development and for commercial cooperation between cases, there are plans to overcome the problem, such as countries. So, all of us involved in the leadership of the Strait of Gibraltar, the Tsushima Strait, the Panama countries have to create opportunities for the construction channel and, of course, my favourite project is crossing the of transcontinental infrastructures and then I’m sure the Bering Strait. If we cross the Bering Strait by tunnel and world will become a better place. Thank you very much. Visit www.europe.upf.org for the complete transcription.

The Universal Peace Federation is an UPCOMING EVENTS Off icial Supporting Partner of the “PROSPERING FROM PLURALISM: EMBRACING DIVERSITY THROUGH INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION” 15–16 November 2018, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This 2-day interactive summit will engage international thought leaders, decision-makers and influencers in thought-provoking discussions on how tolerance brings about real positive change in people’s lives. WTS 2018 will take Under the Patronage of place in Dubai, a melting pot of many expatriates from around the world, and is H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid held in line with the International Day for Tolerance in November as declared by Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime the United Nations and in conjunction with the National Festival of Tolerance. Minister and Ruler of Dubai www.worldtolerancesummit.com

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LATIN AMERICA SUMMIT From a report by Dr. William Selig, UPF International

The Portugal chapters of UPF and WFWP sent a delegation representing Europe to the first Latin America Summit 2018 organized by the Universal Peace Federation in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on August 2-5, 2018. Held at the Renaissance Sao Paulo Hotel, the event gathered 400 participants including former heads 1 of state and first ladies from six Latin American nations; parliamentarians centered world to an Asia Pacific call for women and mothers to take and party leaders; religious leaders world […] from a Northern-centered the lead in peace-making today. from various confessions and world to an emerging Southern denominations, including Roman hemisphere […] Rev. and Mrs. Moon On August 4, the participants were Catholic Cardinal Kelvin Felix from anticipated these changes and invited as guests of honor to a “Rally Dominica and Saint Lucia; etc. understood that it is essential for of Hope for Latin America” attended these changes to occur peacefully. by 30,000 participants at the Stadium The Summit featured presentations The principles they have taught Allianz Parque, where Dr. Hak Ja Han on current projects developed by underscore the need for dialogue, Moon also addressed the crowd. UPF and affiliate organizations understanding, mutual respect and throughout the world, such as cooperation. These are the principles The Portuguese delegation, led by UPF the International Association of that underlie the work of UPF.” Portugal President Dr. Sérgio Vieira, Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), the included Prof. Delmar Gonçalves, a Interreligious Association for Peace Introduced by H.E. Julio Maria writer from the Mozambican Writers and Development (IAPD), the Peace Sanguinetti, the former president Circle in the Diaspora (CEMD) and Road project, character education of Uruguay, UPF Co-founder Dr. UPF Ambassador for Peace; Dr. programs, etc. Hak Ja Han Moon told the assembly Isabel Leitão, a well-known singer, about her vision for the future of coordinator for cultural activities at UPF chairman Dr Thomas Walsh the American continent, the need the Business Confederation of the spoke about the vision underlying for cooperation between South and Community of Portuguese Speaking UPF activities in our changing world: North America. She encouraged Countries (CE-CPLP); and Dr. Gonçalo “In many ways we are witnessing the religious leaders to acknowledge both Terenas, Chair of the Africa Cluster emergence of a new global paradigm, the accomplishments and failings in Group, a multisectoral Luso-African he said […] a shift from an Atlantic- Christian history and ended with a consortium.

Each of the delegates testified to the scope of the meeting that gathered high level leaders from all over Latin America and expressed their intention to cooperate with UPF in their various fields of activities.

1 Catholic Cardinal Kelvin Felix receives good governance award f rom Dr. Hak Ja Han and Dr. Sun Jin Moon 2 From left to right: Prof. Delmar Gonçalves, Dr. Michael Balcomb, Dr. Sérgio Vieira, 2 Dr. Gonçalo Terenas and Dr. Isabel Leitão

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SUMMIT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS AT THE U.N. New York, United States—UPF Vice President Dr. Tageldin The September 4 program began with welcoming remarks Hamad chaired a high-level roundtable at the United from two ambassadors to the United Nations: H.E. Dr. A. Nations during a Summit of Parliamentarians. Rohan Perera from Sri Lanka and H.E. Jean-Claude Felix do Rego from Benin. The summit, “On the Role of Parliaments for Promoting the Culture of Peace and Implementing the SDGs,” was held on The keynote speakers were Hon. Eric Houndete, deputy September 4, 2018. speaker of the Parliament of Benin; Hon. Dr. Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe, minister of higher education and cultural The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics affairs of Sri Lanka; and Hon. Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, (IPCGE) organized the event, which was co-sponsored by president of the National Assembly of Madagascar. the Permanent Missions of Sri Lanka and Benin as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural High-level speakers—including French Senator Samia Organization (UNESCO). Ghali; Hon. Jordi Xuclà, a member of Spain’s Council of Deputies; and Nigerian Senator Ibrahim Mantu—addressed The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics the global, legislative and national frameworks for the promotes the alignment of national legislation with the education for the culture of peace and the SDGs. implementation of U.N. resolutions on the culture of peace, environmental ethics and social justice. Its primary aim UNESCO liaison officer Ms. Lily Gray and Mr. Matthew is to motivate parliamentarians to adopt legislation for Hodes, director of the United Nations Alliance of mandatory education on the culture of peace and the U.N. Civilizations, also offered remarks. H.E. Federico Mayor Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a fundamental Zaragoza, a former director-general of UNESCO, spoke to measure to prevent terrorism and violent extremism. the audience through a video message.

IPCGE wants religious, academic, media and civil society Participants represented the fields of religion, civil society leaders to implement the proposed legislation with the and the private sector. support of U.N. institutions as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Plan of Action 1 UPF Vice President Dr. Tageldin Hamad

to Prevent Radical Violence. (middle) chairs a roundtable. To his right are Hon. Erick Houndete, deputy speaker of the Parliament of Benin, and H.E. Jean-Claude Felix do Rego, Benin’s ambassador to the United Nations. To his left are H.E. Dr. A. Rohan Perera, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations, and Hon. Dr. Wijeyedasa Rajapakshe, Sri Lankan minister of higher education and cultural affairs. 2 H.E. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, a former director-general of UNESCO, sends a video greeting to the summit. 3 The summit “On the Role of Parliaments for Promoting the Culture of Peace and Implementing the SDGs” is held in a conference room of the 3 United Nations in New York.

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THE NELSON MANDELA CENTENARY CELEBRATION By Patrick Jouan, Vice President, UPF France

At the UPF International Leadership Conference in Korea July 18, 2018. This would be the springboard for a national in February, 2018, Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Chief summit proposed for November 2018. Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela, who had previously attended the UPF Africa Summit in Dakar, Senegal on January 18 Among the first to arrive for this event was the current and 19, 2018, committed to help organize the 2nd Africa President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, followed by Summit in South Africa in late 2018. former South African Presidents Jacob Zuma and Kgalema Motlanthe, and former Kenyan prime minister and Chief Mandela had been impressed by this event and presidential candidate, Raila Odinga. wanted to organize such a meeting for his country, which despite its development needs a vision, hope for its The whole program went very well. The speeches of citizens: a nation of peace. At the same time, Reverend President Ramaphosa, the two former presidents and the Moon, the founder of UPF, had previously spoken of the video message from former president Frederik De Clerk creation of a highway of peace starting from the Cape of were of high quality. Especially, the introduction made by Good Hope. Chief Mandela explained well the context, speaking of the heritage of the international icon that was his grandfather. In preparation for this event, a celebration of the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth was planned in his At the end of the event, Chief Mandela obtained the tacit native village of Mvezo komkhulu, located about 50 km agreement of President Ramaphosa to hold the 2nd African from Umtata (Mthatha), which is itself about 900 km Summit in November in Cape Town. from Johannesburg. 1 The Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebration 2 The author in f ront of the statue of Nelson Mandela The idea and proposal of Chief M. Mandela was that 3 Front Center left to right: former President of South Af rica with the cooperation of the Royal House of Mandela, the Jacob Zuma, current President Cyril Ramaphosa and Traditional Council of Mvézo and the Universal Peace former prime minister of Kenya, Raila Odinga, arriving for Federation would organize an event at the birthplace of the centenary event.

his grandfather on the anniversary of his 100th birthday, 4 The museum in Nelson Mandela’s native village of Mvezo komkhulu.

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FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

TUNNELS AND BRIDGES FOR PEACE

Dr. Sun Myung Moon, 10/11/1981, 10 th International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences, Sejong Dr. Sun Myung Moon, Inaugural Address of the Cultural Center, Seoul, Korea Universal Peace Federation, 12/9/2005

In conclusion, I would like to make a proposal. Let me take the opportunity provided by today’s It is to construct a Great Asian Highway zone distinguished forum to reiterate my proposal that would run through China, Korea and Japan for a truly providential and revolutionary and eventually link the world by constructing project. For the sake of peace and human a Great Free World Highway zone to connect welfare, I propose that we build a passage the whole world. This would be a great for transit across the Bering Strait, where international highway, around which freedom Satan has historically divided east and west, would be guaranteed. The highway would and north and south, and where the North go through Mainland China, down American and Russian land masses the Korean Peninsula from north are separated. This passage, to south, through a tunnel or which I call the “World Peace over a bridge to Japan, and King Bridge Tunnel,” will link north through the four main an International Highway Japanese islands. System that will allow people to travel on land If this highway were from Africa’s Cape of Good constructed, the three Asian Hope to Santiago, Chile, countries would be linked and from London to New through the highway and York, across the Bering Strait, become one. The economic and connecting the world as a single cultural exchange between them community. would be so robust that it would enable them to form an Asian Common Community. God is warning that He will no longer tolerate China also would agree to this, as would Korea separation and division. Carrying out this and Japan, without a second thought. Then the project will bind the world together as one United States and Germany would come to take village. It will tear down the man-made walls part in it automatically. of race, culture, religion and country, and establish the world of peace that has been God’s If this plan were carried out according to the cherished desire. framework suggested here, free exchanges would become the norm among all the people The United States and Russia can become as of the East. I sincerely hope that all of you one. The European continent, China, India, distinguished participants, coming from more Japan, Brazil and all nations, and also all the than one hundred countries to this memorable world’s religions, can combine their energies International Conference on the Unity of to succeed in this project. The success of this the Sciences in Korea, will gain deep insight project will be decisive in establishing a Peace into these matters and offer your concrete Kingdom where people will no longer make cooperation. war with each other.

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The participants with the REGIONAL NEWS mayor of Eidskog village

PEACE ROAD REPORTS at the peace pagoda, a gift f rom the Korean city

The Peace Road and the World Peace Road of Hwacheon.

Foundation are global goodwill projects of UPF. The founding vision of an international highway that physically connects all people of the world together Peace Road was proposed by the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon Hamburg in Hitzacker on the and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in 1981. The banks of the Peace Road exemplifies a message of hope and the Elbe overlooking belief that if people can meet each other in daily life the former East through culture, trade and travel, they will come to German border break down the barriers of nationality, ethnicity and religion that have historically divided us from our closest neighbors. Peace Road in the Netherlands was conducted in two cities, Nijmegen At Oldbridge and The Hague, in Estate at the conjunction with site of the the Council of Battle of World Views and the Boyne Religions and the at County Hindu society in The Meath, Ireland. Hague, respectively.

Peace Road Düsseldorf visits three different faith communities on their march for peace.

The cyclists started with a rally at Neupfarrplatz in the historic Peace Road center of participants Regensburg. in f ront of the Ohel Jakob synagogue.

Peace Road Spain travelled Bicyclists f rom Italy, to the Slovenia and Austria Sanctuary took part in the Peace of Nuria in Road event that the Pyrenees. visited all three nations.

Peace Road Upper Austria The Peace Road on the Peace Bridge event was held in f ront of the Forestry with the support Museum in Reichraming of the Mayor of Capici and several associations.

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The Peace Road participants - bicyclists and walkers alike - by the Brandenburg Gate

The Peace Road flag is unfurled inside Finnish Member of Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium before the Parliament Mika f inal match of the 2018 World Cup. Niikko greets the participants after the event. The f inal stage of the round-the-world bicycle tour “Peace Road” was celebrated in Kazan, Russia.

Ildus Yanyshev (center) with fellow global bicyclist Vladimir Kovalenko and supporters f rom UPF- Novosibirsk in f ront of Novosibirsk’s National Public Library for Science and Technology.

The participants visit the Strategic Missile Forces Museum to view an SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile.

Peace Road Turkey participants at Sile on the Black Sea coast.

Peace Road bikers in f ront of Hammana Municipality 1200m above sea-level with welcoming remarks The f irst stage by the mayor. of the Balkans Peace Road concluded with a Football for Peace tournament in Peace Road Bosnia Herzegovina. participants at the Hammana Sporting City.

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REGIONAL NEWS

LAKE BAIKAL SERVICE PROJECT DRAWS INTERNATIONAL TEAMS By Yevgeny Skvortsov, UPF-Urals

Kultuk, Russia—Adults and children spent several weeks improving an area near Lake Baikal as part of an annual service project organized by UPF.

Between July 2 and August 24, four different groups came to the largest freshwater lake in the world, located in southern Siberia, to take part in the 2018 Baikal Project. In 2018, the Baikal Project established ``a cooperative relationship with the organization Great Baikal Trail— In the mountainous terrain near the lake they built a Buryatia, which provided some tools and volunteers. half-kilometer bicycle path and equipped two observation platforms. They also rebuilt two pedestrian bridges across Each of the main shifts included an educational program a mountain river near the town of Slyudyanka and laid on volunteerism, family values, and peacebuilding as a corridor for a new sightseeing trail at the Sobolinaya well as a one-week mountain trip. Although most of the Mountain ski resort near the town of Baikalsk. participants were young adults, one of the shifts was designed for families with children as young as 5 years. The total number of participants was 64 adults and 13 children. Ten adults and five children joined additional At the end of the season, the project organizing committee projects. Along with Russians, the participants included met with representatives of the administration and the representatives of Vietnam, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, mayor of Slyudyanka to assess the summer’s results and to Georgia, France, Belgium and Bulgaria. make plans for the future.

REGIONAL NEWS

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE The peace concert in Participants of the IDP celebration in Düsseldorf featured Georgia, including main guest Mrs. performances by professional Dalila, head of the non-governmental musicians Ryosuke Sato organization Georgia for Refugees (tenor), Erika Kamura (piano) (f ront row, second f rom right) and and Yurie Kamura (piano) UPF-Georgia Chair Maka Abugbaia and artwork by Hirooki Hatori. (f ront row, third f rom right).

On September 20, 2018, UPF- The celebration in Ukraine held its f ifth Junior Denmark was held in the Ambassadors for Peace former Upper Chamber Congress dedicated to the UN of the Danish Parliament International Day of Peace, in Christiansborg Palace featuring a performance by the hosted by Hon. Yildiz “Angels Over Ukraine”. Akdogan MP.

Participants of the At the event in The event in Munich 2018 International Vladivostok, UPF, featured speakers Day of Peace represented by the f rom various celebration held Sergienko family, religions including at the UPF Peace held a master class Gottf ried Hutter, Embassy in on making “Peace a Roman Catholic Moscow. Flowers.” theologian.

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REGIONAL NEWS

PEACE DAY LAUNCH FOR IAPD GENEVA/SWISS CHAPTER The Geneva, Swiss chapter of Building on a series of nine Model UN Other prominent speakers were the Interreligious Association for Interfaith Youth Council conferences Dr. Iqbal Alimohamed, a former Peace and Development (IAPD) was in cooperation with the Geneva senior official at the Office of the inaugurated in the Ecumenical Center Interfaith Intercultural Alliance, High Commissioner for Refugees, of Geneva at a conference held on a debate was held among youth Dr. Adrian Holderegger, professor September 21, 2018, the International representatives of major religions emeritus of moral theology and ethics Day of Peace, by UPF in close based on the proposal that UPF and president of the Fribourg Peace partnership with Women’s Federation founder Dr. Sun Myung Moon made in Forum, Dr. Elmar Kuhn, the dean for World Peace (WFWP), as well as the 2000 at the UN in New York to create of world religions at the European Geneva Interfaith Intercultural Alliance a high-level interreligious council at Academy of Science and Arts, Dr. (GIIA) and the Fribourg Peace Forum. the heart of the United Nations. The Wissam al-Saliby, representing the council was presided by the newly World Evangelical Alliance, Mr. Ivo In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Heiner appointed Rabbi Kevin De-Carli of Sasek, founder and president of the Handschin, the president of UPF- the Jewish community of Baden, OCG, Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger, a Switzerland, reminded the audience Switzerland. professor and researcher at UNIL and that on this 37th International Day of UNIGE, Dr. Arun Pabari, the president Peace, one could equally celebrate the The conference also featured sessions of the National Council of the Sathya 70 years of the Universal Declaration of on “Transforming Conflicts and Sa Switzerland and Dr. Amiira Neff, Human Rights and the 70 years of the Creating Lasting Peace”, “Religious former member of the city council World Council of Churches. Leaders and Parliamentarians as of Montreux. Peacemakers” and “Interreligious Dr. Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar, Cooperation as a Major Factor for The Closing Session featured the an Anglican cleric and theological Sustainable Peace in the World”. launching of IAPD in Geneva. Dr. scholar who is the executive director Among the speakers were Hon. Michael Balcomb, the regional chair of WCC’s program for interreligious Patricia Lalonde, a member of the of FFWPU for Europe and the Middle dialogue and co-operation, extended European Parliament of the Group East, conveyed the vision and the the greetings and best wishes of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats greetings of the founder of IAPD, Dr. WCC’s general secretary, the Rev. Dr. of Europe, Dr. William A. McComish, Hak Ja Han Moon, emphasizing the Olaf Fykse Tveit. Dr. Rajkumar spoke dean emeritus of the Geneva St. very important location in Geneva of the need for greater interreligious Peter’s Cathedral, as well as Dr. Rifa’at as one of the historical centers of harmony in tackling the key issues of Lenzin, President of IRAS COTIS, Protestantism and home of the WCC. the world. Switzerland.

1 Participants and speakers in the Ecumenical Center after the end of the conference 2 Dr. Peniel Jesudason Rufus Rajkumar, executive director of the World Council of Churches’ program for interreligious dialogue and cooperation. 3 Hon. Patricia Lalonde, a member of the European Parliament

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1 The 32 nd International Leadership Conference organized by UPF brought together more than 300 leaders f rom over 80 nations 2 Chief Mandla Zwelivelile Mandela, chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of Nelson Mandela, addresses the ILC 3 Session IV on the role of religious leaders included a number of important speakers f rom Europe and the Middle East

PARLIAMENTARIANS, FAITH LEADERS ADDRESS CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME Based on a report by Dr. William Selig

Seoul, Korea—The 32nd International Leadership climate change, Middle East and the South China Sea. Conference organized by UPF brought together more than To deal with these and other serious challenges, the 300 leaders from over 80 nations. The ILC was held at the parliamentarians and religious leaders agreed to work Lotte Hotel World from August 26 to 29, 2018, under the together and build a global network of individuals and theme “Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: The organizations dedicated to world peace. Responsibility of Parliamentarians and Religious Leaders.” The select group of international participants, including UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon invited the ILC many from Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East, comprised participants to be guests of honor at a World Peace many current parliamentarians, along with religious leaders Blessing and a special commemoration of the sixth and civil society leaders. anniversary of the passing of her husband, the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon. In the search for innovative solutions to the world’s problems, and with an aim to exploring and underscoring In addition to the many distinguished guests from around the role and responsibility of parliamentarians and religious the world, this ILC had the participation of Chief Mandla leaders, experts and discussants shared their wisdom and Mandela, chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and a experience on topics related to the general theme. member of the Parliament of South Africa, who spoke about the next Africa Summit, to be co-hosted jointly by Beginning with the reunification of the Korean Peninsula, the Royal House of Mandela and UPF later this year in Cape issues included extremist ideologies and terrorism, Town, South Africa. The South African president has been religious conflicts, violence against women and children, invited to be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony, human trafficking, drug trade, human rights violations, along with other heads of state.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2018

UPF Europe & Middle East Newsletter IAPP inauguration in Morocco, Houses of Parliament Nov. 7, Rabat, Morocco

Published by Universal Peace Federation Europe, World Tolerance Summit (see pg. 3) Nov. 15–16, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 43 Lancaster Gate, London, England, W2 3NA, UK 2 nd Af rican Summit on Peace, Security and Development Printed by PBtisk a.s., Dělostřelecká 344, 261 01 Příbram, CZ Nov. 21–25, Cape Town, South Af rica contact@europe.upf.org · www.europe.upf.org Asia Pacif ic Summit 2018 Nov. 30 – Dec. 3, Kathmandu, Nepal, Copyright © 2018, Universal Peace Federation. Conference on Europe and the Future of Human Rights All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part Dec. 12, EU Parliament, Strasbourg, France prohibited except by written permission. More events at www.europe.upf.org/agenda/events