Global Peace Festival, on the road

Happy new year

2009-01-01T16:37:00.004+01:00

From the Trombin family

We wish you a very Happy TGD 2009 and Healthy New Year Filled with wishes for peace, tranquility, and hope!

GPF in Israel:Haifa

2008-12-27T23:07:00.015+01:00

Every December the 'Festival of Festivals' takes place in Haifa Wadi Nisnas district, celebrating the Jewish Hannukah, Christian Christmas and Moslem Ramadan holidays.
On December 20, 2008, the Global Peace Festival was celebrated in Haifa, Israel, as part of Haifa city’s Wadi Nisnas annual celebrations.

http://www.backpackingisrael.com/content/view/12
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Israel/Haifa_District/Haifa-1708915/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Haifa-Vadi_Nisnas-BR-1.html

Altogether, police estimated that some 40,000 people participated in the city annual daylong events that took place in midtown Haifa’s neighborhood.
The diverse crowd was composed of Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze from Haifa and all around the country. Though it was in mid-winter, a perfect day welcomed families and individuals to the picturesque Wadi Nisnas where multiple festivals activities took place. The crowds began to fill up the streets as early as 10 in the morning. Walking through the narrow streets, numerous stalls were offering colorful tables filled with a large variety of products attracting the crowds.

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GPF 2008 Manila, MANILA BULLETIN

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GPF Manila, as reported in the Manila Bulletin
________________________________________

For a link to the story click here http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20081214143481.html

For the Chair’s speech in full, published in the newspaper, click here: http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20081214143469.html

Story below

Global leaders endorse ‘One big family under God’

By LEONARD D. POSTRADO

Religious and political leaders from various nations yesterday shared the limelight in front of thousands of people at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in a show of unity and symbolic breaking of cultural barriers to become "one big family under God" during the Global Peace Festival.
During the occasion, GPF co-chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon announced to festival delegates the holding of the first ever World Convention of the Global Peace Festival in Manila by the end of 2009.
"London, Washington, Tokyo and Seoul were all strong candidates. But in the end, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that this GPF World Convention will be held right here in Manila," he said to the cheering crowd.
According to Moon, the peace festival in Manila which opened last December 11 should serve as a "great awakening" for the people worldwide to stand up and be united in eradicating strife and poverty worldwide.
"The dream of ‘One Family under God’ will be clarion call of our age. The time has come to tear down the man-made walls of race, culture, religion and country, and establish the peaceful, ideal world of God’s cherished desire," he said.
"As we celebrate the Global Peace Festival here in Manila, we must initiate a worldwide ‘Great Awakening’ rooted in the true universal spirit of Christianity taught by Jesus 2000 years ago," Moon added. Moon likewise called on the citizenry to make a solemn pledge in leading the world to peace through the vision of "One Family under God."
"It can end the strife and poverty of Africa, the conflict in the Middle East, and the final remnant of the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula. The power of one human family united with the Will of God can quell the turmoil of conflict throughout the world," he explained.
Political leaders took a break from politics to join the global peace celebration. Former Speaker of the House Jose De Venecia Jr., former Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Miguel Zubiri shared the same stage as they joined religious leaders in the symbolic lighting of Peace Candles.
At least 81 governors, 18 congressmen, six senators and 30 mayors were cited by organizers in their efforts to promote peace.
In his welcome remark, Villar reminded the public that peace should start from one’s self before it resonates to others as he likened the world and the people as a spaceship in the universe and its passengers. "We share a noble dream of creating a world at peace where love resonates all over, where we focus more on the many things that unite us rather than on our differences, where harmony prevails over discord and where everyone becomes his brother’s keeper," he said.
"To build a peaceful world, we must start laying the foundation of peace in ourselves," Villar added.
As to the Philippines being chosen for the GPF world convention, Robert Kittel, GPF Public Relations director, said the country is the leading global peace advocate in the world and a perfect example of a nation with diverse cultures and religions that can live peacefully in one place.
"Take a look at the people in Mindanao. I think that’s the best way to explain how people, no matter what their race is, can live harmoniously," he said.
During the start of the festival, spectators were entertained by marching bands and street dancers donned in colorful costumes. Flags of different countries were paraded by Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members.
People started converging in front of the Quirino Grandstand as early as 1:30 pm. Yesterday. Organizers said they were expecting some two million people to come but as of 6 p.m. last night, GPF Security Chief Venus Agustin pegged the number of attendees at 1.2 million.
Despite efforts to promote peace through becoming a single, unified family, Moon warned that attaining peace might be hampered should the basic fundamentals of family be eroded.
"Divorce and family breakdown are at an all time high. Every nation faces major challenges with its youth. The social and economic cost of the breakdown of the family is staggering," he lamented.
"The healing of the family is a spiritual task. We must make it our priority to bring God back into every family. When God is the center of our families, all our other problems will fade away," Moon added.

Some part of the program

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Stage preparations and people start gathering for the main program

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GPF Manila 2008, social service projects and MMU

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GPF Manila 2008, service projects

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Philippines regional GPF: Antipolo Rizal

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GPF Manila 2008 preparations: 10 million tickets

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GPF London: behind the stage

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Global Peace Festival in London Opens New Partnerships
The Global Peace Festival in London this November brought together Ambassadors for Peace from throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to a wide range activities from conferences in elegant settings to service projects in inner-city parks and a rousing concert in the ExCel center, one of London’s newest and hottest venues.


Senior statesmen spoke about their experiences addressing a variety of conflict situations, hoping that a new generation of leaders will benefit from their insights. Jan-Willem Bertens, a former Dutch Ambassador in Central America, described working behind the scenes to defuse tensions and bring armed conflicting parties together. H.E. Alfred Moisiu, former president of Albania, talked about ways people in the Balkans have been working together to rise above historic conflicts.


Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Secretary General of UPF, spoke about the needs for a universal values-based approach to form a basis for people of diverse races, religions, and nations to live together in peace. Mwalagho Kililo, Secretary General, UPF-Africa, explored the spiritual foundations of leadership and presentations about UPF’s understanding of the root cause of conflict and the principles of restoration were given by Mr. Jack Corley and Mr. Michael Balcomb.
Other speakers included Ambassador Makarim Wibisono, former president of the UN Human Rights Council, and Rev. Marcus Braybrooke of the World Peace Council, who spoke about the spiritual impulse behind the creation of the United Nations. Youth representatives from six religious traditions said that young people had a particular responsibility and opportunity to move beyond barriers created by differing religious practices and rituals, and allow the wisdom and universal values of their religions to promote human rights and dignity.

A second session reviewed the quest for common values in Europe throughout 2008, which has been designated the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Iman Abduljalil Sajid, Chair of the Task Force for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, challenged the audience to seek new opportunities for interaction among different cultures.
Focus groups addressed topics of broad interest: women’s peace initiatives, marriage and family, interfaith, community cohesion, peace and development, and the environment. Each forum attracted at least 200 participants.
Two Members of Parliament from the UK and one from Germany spoke at the Community Cohesion focus group on issues facing immigrant and minority communities. Tom Brake talked about countering the growing alienation, segregation, and lack of cohesion in his own district in England as well as urban Europe in general. Andrew Pelling described the need to offer young people positive role models and direction, and Bayram Inan described the challenges facing Turkish immigrants in Germany. Service project organizers, women activists, and religious leaders described ways they are building ongoing connections among people of diverse social, economic, and religious backgrounds.

At the Interfaith focus group, various approaches to interfaith work were presented. Speakers explored the potential benefits that cultural diversity can bring to communities, emphasizing the need to incorporate the entire spectrum of a community in ways that address the needs of all. Examples were given of bringing people together through housing projects in Northern Ireland and interfaith youth service projects.

The Marriage and Family focus group featured presentations about marriage preparation and marriage enrichment programs. Statistics show that such programs help reduce the probability of divorce. “Stable families are the building blocks of a peaceful society; it behooves a country to look carefully at how these can be nurtured,” according to Edward Hartley, chairman of UPF-UK Marriage and Family Initiative.

The Main Event
At 4:30 PM people began entering the exhibition hall at the ExCel Centre for the main event. Art exhibits and a dozen information booths from various GPF partners on themes of peace attracted much attention.

The 3,000 seats in the auditorium quickly filled up, and another 1,000 people watched the program on a screen in an overflow room. Musicians from various backgrounds and styles performed, to the delight of the audience. Dhol drums and bagpipes opened with an exciting East/West fusion perfomance, followed by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Eaton playing Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony.”

Then top UK soul singer Ola Onabule and the Austrian Peace Choir took to the stage to sing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Other singers included “New Generation” from the DaVinci’s band, Dawud Wharnsby, Steve Balsamo and The Storys, the rising teen rap star and Patti Boulaye, a popular singer also known for her charity work in Africa.


Jhr. Drs. Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland, a former Dutch government minister, welcomed Global Peace Festival founder Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who spoke extemporaneously on the theme of “One Family Under God,” a message he has been delivering throughout the year to Global Peace Festivals on five continents. He called upon the crowd to make a commitment to interfaith unity, strong families, and selfless service.
This keynote address was followed by Beatles tribute band, Bernie and the Peacemakers featuring Simon and Jo, Twist and Jive champion dancers. The music and the moves proved irresistible, and people of all ages got out of their seats to dance and mingle with one another to some of the most memorable songs. For once, it was not a Hard Day’s Night, and the evening concluded happily with the appointments of many new Ambassadors for Peace.

Following the success of GPF London, organizers say they are already making plans for a much larger festival in 2010.

GPF London: main program

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GPF London: ILC, working groups/session and Expo

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GPF London. Behind the scene: stage and hall preparations

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GPF UK London: service projects

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GPF UK, see http://www.yournews.itvlocal.com/Clip.aspx?key=838A84CEE42ABE34 regarding the service programs see
http://peacemn8.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/break-and-build-in-west-dulwich/

GPF UK 2008, working committee

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GPF Israel 2008: preparations

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Beirut: Last meetings and city view

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GPF Lebanon meeting on 27/28-10.08

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Meeting with partner NGO

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Trees planting in north of Lebanon with the scouts

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GPF Lebanon, meeting the manager of studio vision, main event

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GPF Lebanon, meeting in Beirut Sheikh Hani Fahs and some of the GPF Lebanon organizers

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GPF Lebanon, nice location for ILC

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http://palacebeirut.habtoorhotels.com/

GPG Malaysia 19 October 2008, Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil

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The theme song of Global Peace Festival Malaysia 2008, "Where Peace Begins" Sang by Jaclyn Victor and Daniel Lee on 19 October 2008, Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil on Global Peace Festival Malaysia 2008. For more information about Global Peace Festival Malaysia 2008, please visit gpfmalaysia.org

Global Peace Festival main program in Korce, and full report. Albania 18/10/08

2008-10-19T07:55:00.004+02:00

Report on GPF Korça - Albania

Albania was not originally included on the Global Peace Festival schedule for 2008. At an April meeting in Korça of the Presiding Council of UPF-Albania, Ambassadors for Peace made a commitment to hold a Global Peace Festival there in October and invested their whole heart into making it a reality.

Led by the Chairman of the Peace Council and former Mayor of Korça, Mr. Dionis Kotmiko, Ambassadors for Peace started to contact local government authorities, NGO leaders, and other institutions to explain to them the concept of the Global Peace Festival and enlist their cooperation and support.

Korça is a leading cultural center, located in southeast Albania near the border with Greece. The Mayor of Korça, Mr. Niko Peleshi, was already familiar with the work of the Universal Peace Federation in his city, where it is the most active organization. After he learned about the vision of the Global Peace Festival, he offered his full support and cooperation by providing all the facilities of the City Hall for the success of the Global Peace Festival.

A week of events

Life in Korça was very lively from October 11 to 18. People could feel that something very special was going on, and many remarked that the atmosphere of the city had changed completely. The festival week opened October 11 with an event sponsored by UPF in partnership with the Mary Potter Palliative Care Center. October 11 is honored as the International Day of People with Cancer, and volunteers with UPF and the Palliative Care Center raised funds throughout the city to support people in need of such care. The activity was covered by local media and made a very positive impact.

October 13 was the opening of an Exhibition of Figurative Arts promoting talented new artists in the city. The event was organized in partnership with UPF, City Hall, and the Korça Arts Gallery. The exhibition stayed opened from October 13 to 18, and hundreds of people visited it.

The October 15 was a very busy day with GPF activities. In the morning, a Student Convention was held at the University of Korça in partnership with the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles, University of Korça, and the student government of the university. Around 200 students attended the event on the theme “Mankind One Family, the Earth One Home.” Participants were greeted by the Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Gjergji Mero, along with international Global Peace Festival organizers Mr. Massimo Trombin and Mrs. Tomiko Duggan.

That afternoon, the district director of the Ministry of Education hosted an award ceremony for the winners of the high school essay competition on the theme, "Mankind One Family, the World One Home." Three winners were chosen from the 40 finalists out of about 2,000 student essays that were submitted. This is the second year the event took place in Korça, and it has become a tradition.

On October 17, 1,500 young people and students joined in a social impact project to increase the green areas in the whole city by planting trees and cleaning schoolyards. All of the schools of the city were involved in the project. The Korça City Hall, in cooperation with Regional Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Science and UPF, initiated a project with all the schools in the city called “One Student, One Tree,” which will continue in the months to come.

The same day, a scientific conference on environmental protection entitled “My City, My Home” was held at the university auditorium in partnership with UPF, City Hall, and the University of Korça. Nationally-known scholars spoke at the conference. In addition to the 50 distinguished guests and Ambassadors for Peace, more than 100 students attended the sessions. The conference concluded with an important proposal to open an Environmental Engineering Faculty at Korça University.

The final day of the Albania GPF, October 18, started with a Tree Planting Ceremony to finalize the social impact program of the previous day. Many dignitaries participated in the ceremony, including Former President of Albania H.E. Alfred Moisiu, Korça Mayor Niko Peleshi, the Regional Education Department Director Mr. Andrea Mano, and many Ambassadors for Peace from Albania and other Balkan nations. The media covered all the events.

Around 150 distinguished guests and Ambassadors for Peace from Albania and from other Balkan nations participated in the International Leadership Conference entitled “Toward Leadership and Good Governance for Lasting Peace and Development in Albania and Balkans.” More than 100 of the participants were from Albania, including former President Moisiu, who attended all the events on that day. International participants included Prof. Ivan Kaltchev from Bulgaria, President of South East Europe Philosophers Association, and Mr. Nadim Gemayel, son of a former president of Lebanon. The presentations were much appreciated, and at the end of the conference 60 new Ambassadors for Peace were appointed, including six musicians who sang lat the main event. The conference was organized in partnership with Korça Municipality.

Approximately 2,000 people joined a Peace March from the Theater Square to the Cathedral Square and then to the Sports Hall. The City Band and Ambassadors for Peace led the throng of peace marchers. Many additional people joined in the march as it passed through the city, and it was amazing to see so many people marching for peace. Before the march reached the half-way point, it was learned that the Sports Hall was already half full, and there was concern that there would not be enough space in the hall for all the marchers.

The Main Event started almost an hour and a half late due to the late arrival of the peace marchers. The Sports Hall, with a capacity of 4,000 people, was completely full, and the 1,000 people who were unable to enter remained outside for long time. The master of ceremonies, nationally-known artist and producer Dhimiter Orgocka, moved people’s hearts with his appeals for peace, along with his assistant, Mrs. Melisa Demiri, who had come from Kosovo to support the event. The video message of Global Peace Festival Founder Dr. Hyun Jin Moon was well received by the audience, and Dr. Young-Cheol Song, regional chair of UPF-Europe, spoke next. Many well-known singers and performers from Albania and neighboring countries highlighted the Main Event, culminating with the singer Alban Skenderaj, the leading young singer in Albania at the moment, who came directly from Germany to participate in the program. The program went far longer than planned, but everybody stayed until the end.

The following morning, 150 people gathered to reflect on the events of the week. Former President Moisiu joined in the celebration, during which key organizers were recognized. Ambassadors for Peace from Albania and other Balkan nations shared highlights of their experiences during the many events that took place during the week-long Global Peace Festival.

18/10/08 Korce, Albania GPF Peace March

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Environmental education: trees planting at the High school with local, national and regional Ambassadors for Peace

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GPF Albania/Korce service: trees planting

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Kick off for the GPF social impact project: schools trees planting.
Each students from the city between October, November and December will plant a tree in the city and school parks. Today 1500 students were involved in the program.

GPF Albania/Korce: University Environmental conference

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High school essay competition award ceremony

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High school essay competition awards ceremony "Mankind one family, World one home" with the Ministry of Education district director. 3 winners from 40 finalist from about 2000 students essay

Albania GPF: University student conference

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Volunteers posting the large banners of GPF Albania at the Korca sport hall

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Peace March at the Albania GPF

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The third group of events constitutes the “Korça Main Event,” which is the Peace March. The first leg of the Peace March will begin in front of the Theater of Korça City,
gathering people who will walk the distance to the Orthodox Cathedral where they will be able to enjoy 40 minutes of musical artistry. Well known entertainers, including Anjeza Shahini, Alban Skenderaj, Mariza Ikonomi and Eneida Tarifa, will be on hand to offer inspirational musical performances for the crowd. After this, the March will commence its second leg, ending at the Sports Hall, that is able to accommodate 4,000 participants.

Albania GPF TV ad. on local and national tv

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GPF TV advertisement on TV, broadcast 15 times a day on local and regional TV, 3 times a day on national TV

Albania GPF young artist ART competition

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Albania GPF, TV interv.,poster, main program location

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National TV interview to the GPF production and artist manager; posters in the city; main program location with a full capacity of 4000 people

GPF Albania, poster and meetings

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Posters making by volunteers and meeting with production director

Albania GPF Poster, artist competition

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Albania GPF Poster

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TV Add for GPF Albania, October 18 2008

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Mongolia GPF celebration in London

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Mongolia and the Ninth Millennium Development Goal

Posted by jonathanfryer on Saturday, 27th September, 2008

World leaders have been in New York this week, discussing progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The sad fact is that there is no way that many poor countries are going to reach their targets by 2015. Moreover, with a few notable exceptions, including Britain I'm pleased to say, rich countries have failed to live up to the promises they made at the 2005 Gleneagles G8 Summit. The MDGs, for those who need reminding, are, in brief, (1) ending poverty and hunger, (2) universal education, (3) gender equality, (4) child health, (5) maternal health, (6) combatting HIV/AIDS, (7) environmental sustainability and (8) global partnership.

Last night, at a reception and seminar at the Universal Peace Federation in London, I learnt that Mongolia, intriguingly, has unilaterally added a ninth MDG to its programme: strengthening human rights and fostering democratic governance. Speakers including the Mongolian Ambassador, Bulgaa Altangerel, John Grogan MP (Chair of the All-Party parlianmentary group on Mongolia) and Dr Nancy Rokola, formerly Visiting Professor for Biomedical Ethics at the Health Services University of Mongolia, outlined some of the extraordinary advances this previously Communist Soviet satellite state has made over the past decade. The capital Ulan Baatur hosted a huge peace festival earlier this month, about which we were shown a short video. And the government is busy promoting Ghengis Khan not as the bloodthirsty vandal he has been seen in the West but as the founder of stable government and administration. As Mongolia is one of only three Asian countries I have never visited (the others being North Korea and East Timor), I'm now itching to see for myself the reality behind the hype!

Links: www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn and www.globalpeacefestival-uk.org

GPF UK, networking with WAIT and UPF UK

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GPF UK production team

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GPF Mindanao Set. 21st 2008

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The Hon. Governor Oscar Moreno of the province of Misamis Oriental gave the 13.000 audience a warm welcome. He enphasized that only through peace that is all encompassing can we have peace and prosperity in the nation and in the world.

GPF main program site: ExCeL London full video

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ExCeL gallery

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GPF main location, London ExCeL, campus

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GPF main program locations, Hotels

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GPF London main program location

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Meeting in London

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Meeting the GPF-UK chairman's at Livingstone House and the marketing team, London 21 09 08

GPF Mindanao, Philippines 2008

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From Aya Goto, Int ED GPF:

Today I whent to Cagayan De Oro and Tubod city in Mindanao,Philippines.

The city of Tubod has a huge complex and a Peace Village in the same area. One of the local projects is to provide the possibility for Muslims and Christian kids and their parents to stay together in one camping lodge for 5 days and, step by step, understand each other.

Dr.Badano, regional director of education department for region 10, initiated the project in cooperation with the province. She is an Ambassador for Peace (AfP) of Mulim origin and participated on the Philippines GPF in 2007 and this month at the GPF in Mongolia. She belives that the project can really promote the culture of peace in the region.

The Peace Village Camping area was build in 2005, the are 38 houses, 3 guest houses and one dormitory. I was very inspired by the great spirit shown by participants on this project.

Dr. Badano say that the Peace village is a ongoing program for the GPF. I was also so moved by the 2000 Muslim and Christian children playing group games together. The governor of this province held this rally to support the GPF Mindanao preparations which will take place on September 21st. They expecting 100,000 people to attend the GPF Mindanao.

The educational department of region 10, the province and the city are managing the GPF Mindanao financially and operationally. GPF staff is just guiding and supporting. The Governor is a Muslim, 28 years old and is married to a Christain.

Ticket GPF London

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Ticket for the GPF 2008 UK at the ExCeL, in London

UK GPF 4th visit Sept 08

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Sept. 19, meeting with the core staff of GPF UK 2008

GPF Mongolia theme song VIDEO

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GPF Kenya report

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From Michael Balcomb in Nairobi, Kenya
Communications Director
Universal Peace Federation

Prime Minister Odinga Welcomes the Global Peace Festival to Kenya

The Prime Minister of Kenya, the Hon Raila Odinga MP and his wife Ida Odinga, joined by an international delegation that included seven former heads of state and over 120 members of parliament, spiritual leaders and representatives of civil society were warmly welcomed by a crowd of over 10,000 enthusiastic Kenyans to the Global Peace Festival (GPF) in Nairobi last Sunday, August 31st. The GPF is the third this year in a series that started in Asuncion, Paraguay and Washington DC, US.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his wife Ida introduce UPF Co-Chair Dr. Hyun Jin Moon to a large crowd of Kenyan youth and families at the Global Peace Festival in Nairobi

“This is an important day for Kenya and for Africa,” said Odinga. “It is a new beginning in the quest for our nation to be once again known as a nation of peace and security.” The Prime Minister came to office earlier this year after a historic power-sharing agreement with political rival President Mwai Kibaki ended a period of post-election violence.

“The Universal Peace Federation and the Global Peace Festival are doing great things in Kenya,” Odinga said. “Just yesterday, they mobilized thousands of young Kenyans to start cleaning out the Nairobi River. We long for the day when our nation can again be proud of this river, which could provide water to millions.”
Nairobi River Clean Up
Today, the Nairobi River is unbelievably foul, virtually an open sewer. Repulsed by the thought of wading into the raw sewage and stench to pull pick up sodden garbage and put it into bags, most citizens of the city have long been holding their noses and looking the other way. The Global Peace Festival organized community-wide cleanup efforts in ten different locations throughout the month of August.

Thousands of Volunteers clean up a section of the Nairobi River Bank in Embakassa and ten other of Nairobi’s poorest neighborhoods, watched here somewhat ominously by a pair of vultures.

Some of the clean-up crews encountered the bodies of infant children, apparently put into the river by slum dwellers without the means to afford proper burial. Others reported a stream of unlicensed dump trucks pouring garbage directly into the river. “More than hard work will be needed,” said project coordinator Edwin Plekhanov. “We need a complete change of heart in our leaders and ourselves.”

The river has been a symbol of civil neglect One section of the river reclaimed from the filth

Local MP Hon. Ferdinand Waititu promised his Embakassa constituency that he would work to bring the resources and the political support needed. “This is an important development,” said David Anderson, a fellow MP visiting from England. “We elected officials must support the aspirations of our people.”

International Leadership Conference
Anderson was among a group of more than 100 Kenyan and international participants in the International Leadership Conference hosted by the Universal Peace Federation, principal sponsor of the Global Peace Festival. “We are presenting a new, values-based approach to leadership,” said UPF Africa Secretary General Mwalagho Kililo, “and we are finding that many of our delegates see this as a way out of the swamp of corruption, selfishness and inefficiency that has plagued our nations for years.”

The 120 ILC participants included former heads of state and many current members of parliament Traditional kings from Benin among delegates attending the International Leadership Conference

Main Festival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Conference Center
Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, co-chair of the UPF and founder of the Global Peace Festival Initiative delivered the GPF keynote address. Dr. Moon, who is the third son of the international spiritual leaders and peacemakers Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, urged Kenyans to take pride in their nation and Africa’s role as the cradle of civilization.

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon asking an excited crowd if they are ready to dream the biggest dream of all, the dream of creating One Family Under God beyond race, tribe and religion

“The message of ‘One Family under God’ should be a clarion call for this age,” he said. “The power of one human family united, can quell the turmoil of conflict throughout the world – from the conflict in the Middle East, the remnant of the Cold War in Korea and poverty, disease and civil strife in Africa.”

A young acrobatic team creates an “A” as they spell out P-E-A-C-E during the GPF entertainment

A local choir sings the GPF Anthem “Where Peace Begins” in Kiswahili UPF’s Thomas Walsh and Chung Hwan Kwak join the on-stage celebration to conclude the GPF

The Festival closed with a high-energy concert featuring some of Kenya’s top entertainers, including gospel and rap starts Jua Cali, Bilenge Musica, Kanji and others. From Nairobi, the Global Peace Festival now moves on to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, followed by London, England and ten other locations with a finale in Brasilia in December.

GPF main day Kenya 2008

2008-09-02T15:11:00.001+02:00

GPF main day Kenya 2008

2008-09-02T15:07:00.001+02:00

MPs opening the service project: GPF Kenya 29 09 08

2008-09-02T14:28:00.002+02:00

service 29 09 2008 area 4, Nairobi-Kenya

2008-09-01T19:34:00.004+02:00

Final of Soccer For Peace at the GPF in Kenya

2008-08-27T20:35:00.000+02:00

GPF Kenya, Nairobi 31st main program location

2008-08-27T17:33:00.000+02:00

GPF volunteers and staff office

2008-08-27T16:42:00.002+02:00

Staff office at the GPF operational center and volunteers pause time in Nairobi, Kenya

GPF Kenya staff meeting

2008-08-25T17:37:00.000+02:00

Team 7 majengo area

2008-08-25T17:26:00.000+02:00

GPF stage for main program 31st 08 2008

2008-08-25T17:18:00.000+02:00

Team 10 Dagoretti area

2008-08-25T17:10:00.001+02:00

Team 6

2008-08-25T09:36:00.000+02:00

Service area team 4 GPF Kenya 29th 08 08

2008-08-25T09:33:00.002+02:00

Meeting with the Sikh comunity in Nairobi

2008-08-23T20:39:00.009+02:00

The Sikh Supreme Council of Kenya, one of the sponsors of the Sports for peace a project of peace dream foundation, a partner organization of the GPF Kenya 2008

Huruma zone area n.9

2008-08-23T09:02:00.004+02:00

Nairobi river basin cleaning service project

Nairobi West, service area n 1

2008-08-23T08:45:00.002+02:00

Nairobi river service project: Nairobi west area, zone n. 1

Huruma zone, River service area n 9

2008-08-23T07:56:00.004+02:00

Nairobi River project: team 9 in Huruma zone, one of the hot slums area of the January-December struggles

Meeting: Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government for coordinating the logistics of Nairobi River project

2008-08-21T10:51:00.004+02:00

Meeting with the Prime Minister Hon Raila Amollo Odinga for coordinating the Nairobi river cleaning drive service project

2008-08-19T21:37:00.002+02:00

Meeting the Minister of Defence Hon. Maj. Gen. (rtd) J.K. Nkaissetty, AOP of UPF for the preparation and coordination related to the GPF

2008-08-19T20:56:00.005+02:00

Staff officer III Kung’u J. Wainaina at the National Youth Service HQ, a partner for the impact service project

2008-08-19T20:32:00.002+02:00

hockey exibition finals

2008-08-18T12:40:00.001+02:00

Nairobi national Park

2008-08-18T11:40:00.006+02:00

Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. It became Kenya's first national park when it was established in 1946.[2] It is located approximately 7 kilometres (4 mi) south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city,[3] and is small in relation to most of Africa's national parks.[4] Nairobi's skyscrapers can be seen from the park. The park has a large and varied wildlife population.[5] Only a fence separates the park's animals from the city.[6] Migrating herbivores concentrate in the park during the dry season. It is one of Kenya's most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.[3] The park's proximity to Nairobi causes conflicts between the park's animals and local people and threatens animals' migration routes

Global Peace Festival poster and leaflet KENYA 2008

2008-08-16T17:00:00.000+02:00

Kenya GPF Impact Service Project

2008-08-15T21:42:00.003+02:00

Organizational meeting with the service groups

A meeting for the logistics-coordination's with one of the GPF partners for the August 29th service project at the administration police HQ in Nairobi

Flyer for the GPF impact service project August 29 2008

2008-08-15T21:29:00.001+02:00

GPF: Warm-up at the 2008 IYD in Nairobi

2008-08-13T08:36:00.001+02:00

IYD celebration with GPF in Nairobi, Kenya 12.08.08

2008-08-12T21:31:00.000+02:00

CBO's and NGO's meeting 12.08.08

2008-08-12T21:25:00.004+02:00

NGO's and CBO's partners meeting in support of GPF 2008 in Nairobi, Africa.

GPF in Nairobi.The Ambassador of Hope team. A project by UPF Ambassador of Peace Mr. Shamola at the National Youth Service.Sponsored by PDFoundation

2008-08-12T20:10:00.002+02:00

The Ambassador of Hope football team.

2008-08-12T13:09:00.002+02:00

Visiting the football training site at the National Youth Canter of the Peace Dream sponsored project. Ambassador of Hope team and project organizers

2008-08-11T22:22:00.002+02:00

Service Project site's

2008-08-11T21:03:00.002+02:00

Kenya operational team with GPF Int. staff. First visit Nairobi river environmental project (overview), more visit on Sunday afternoon

2008-08-09T21:31:00.003+02:00

Children's program, Kenya

2008-08-07T02:44:00.013+02:00

August 1, 2008.
Another phase in supporting the GPF builds up in Kenya, a humanitarian program with the theme: Mother and Child cooperations.
GPF Volunteers from 19 African countries also partecipated involving more then 700 children's, at the Thomas Barnardo children's home, an institute started in the 18th century. The current CEO Jacinta Kalama is also one of the volunteers supporting the 2008 GPF Africa. For the program, the children's home hosted 24 different children's organization coming from the all nation of Kenya. (in the photo children's with WFWP leaders, a principle supporter NGO for the initiative)

Kenya GPF 2008

2008-08-07T02:33:00.002+02:00

From 09.08.2008 I will send up dates on the GPF field work preparations for the Africa GPF 2008

Global Peace Festival, on the road

Happy new year

GPF in Israel:Haifa

GPF 2008 Manila, MANILA BULLETIN

Some part of the program

Stage preparations and people start gathering for the main program

GPF Manila 2008, social service projects and MMU

GPF Manila 2008, service projects

Philippines regional GPF: Antipolo Rizal

GPF Manila 2008 preparations: 10 million tickets

GPF London: behind the stage

Global Peace Festival in London Opens New Partnerships

The Main Event

GPF London: main program

GPF London: ILC, working groups/session and Expo

GPF London. Behind the scene: stage and hall preparations

GPF UK London: service projects

GPF UK 2008, working committee

GPF Israel 2008: preparations

Beirut: Last meetings and city view

GPF Lebanon meeting on 27/28-10.08

Meeting with partner NGO

Trees planting in north of Lebanon with the scouts

GPF Lebanon, meeting the manager of studio vision, main event

GPF Lebanon, meeting in Beirut Sheikh Hani Fahs and some of the GPF Lebanon organizers

GPF Lebanon, nice location for ILC

GPG Malaysia 19 October 2008, Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil

Global Peace Festival main program in Korce, and full report. Albania 18/10/08

18/10/08 Korce, Albania GPF Peace March

Environmental education: trees planting at the High school with local, national and regional Ambassadors for Peace

GPF Albania/Korce service: trees planting

GPF Albania/Korce: University Environmental conference

High school essay competition award ceremony

Albania GPF: University student conference

Volunteers posting the large banners of GPF Albania at the Korca sport hall

Peace March at the Albania GPF

Albania GPF TV ad. on local and national tv

Albania GPF young artist ART competition

Albania GPF, TV interv.,poster, main program location

GPF Albania, poster and meetings

Albania GPF Poster, artist competition

Albania GPF Poster

TV Add for GPF Albania, October 18 2008

Mongolia GPF celebration in London

Mongolia and the Ninth Millennium Development Goal

GPF UK, networking with WAIT and UPF UK

GPF UK production team

GPF Mindanao Set. 21st 2008

GPF main program site: ExCeL London full video

ExCeL gallery

GPF main location, London ExCeL, campus

GPF main program locations, Hotels

GPF London main program location

Meeting in London

GPF Mindanao, Philippines 2008

Ticket GPF London

UK GPF 4th visit Sept 08

GPF Mongolia theme song VIDEO

GPF Kenya report

GPF main day Kenya 2008

GPF main day Kenya 2008

MPs opening the service project: GPF Kenya 29 09 08

service 29 09 2008 area 4, Nairobi-Kenya

Final of Soccer For Peace at the GPF in Kenya

GPF Kenya, Nairobi 31st main program location

GPF volunteers and staff office

GPF Kenya staff meeting

Team 7 majengo area

GPF stage for main program 31st 08 2008

Team 10 Dagoretti area

Team 6

Service area team 4 GPF Kenya 29th 08 08

Meeting with the Sikh comunity in Nairobi

Huruma zone area n.9

Nairobi West, service area n 1

Huruma zone, River service area n 9

Meeting: Hon. Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Local Government for coordinating the logistics of Nairobi River project

Meeting with the Prime Minister Hon Raila Amollo Odinga for coordinating the Nairobi river cleaning drive service project

Meeting the Minister of Defence Hon. Maj. Gen. (rtd) J.K. Nkaissetty, AOP of UPF for the preparation and coordination related to the GPF

Staff officer III Kung’u J. Wainaina at the National Youth Service HQ, a partner for the impact service project