The role of the media in creating world peace

2016 Universal Peace Federation International Media Conference Delegates from different countries

SEOUL, Korea – The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) is dedicated to achieving world peace. UPF is an international and interreligious network of individuals and organizations, including representatives from religion, government, civil society and the private sector. An NGO in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UPF supports the work of the United Nations, particularly in the areas of interfaith peacebuilding, character education, and the strengthening of marriage and family.

These are the programs:

1. Birthday Celebration of the Founders

More than a simple birthday party, this celebration acknowledges and honors the lifelong legacy and on-going quest for world peace of the founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon. They have established many organizations and institutions throughout their lives, including: media houses, business groups, educational institutions, premier centers for the performing arts, professional sports clubs, leisure resorts, humanitarian projects, hospitals, international highway and undersea construction projects, youth centers, women’s networks, as well as hosting innumerable programs that support the United Nations, human rights and inter-religious harmony. Elements of these programs have reached every corner of the world as their vision is to build one global family centered on God. Notably, the center of all their efforts is the initiative to strengthen marriage and family which is seen as the cornerstone for world peace.

Each year, these organizations join together, along with specially invited guests from around the world, to celebrate the birthdays of the Founders and encourage us all to continue our efforts to build a world of peace and co-prosperity based on universally shared values. Rev. Moon was born on the sixth day of the first month on the lunar calendar in 1920 (d. 2012); Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon was also born on the sixth day of the first month on the lunar calendar but in the year 1943.

On February 13 at the CheongShim Peace World Center as many as 30,000 people will gather for a special musical entitled, “The Dream of the Cheon Il Guk Butterfly” (Cheon Il Guk is a Korean expression that literally means, “a nation of Cosmic Peace and Unity” but here the word “nation” is not limited a geographic area but represents a global community.) This musical will focus on Father and Mother Moon’s effort to bring their message of peace throughout the world during the era of the Cold war.

Following this, international guests will be invited to a luncheon hosted by Mother Moon at the Cheon Jeong Gung (Peace Palace).

2. International Leadership Conference (ILC)

UPF and its global network of Ambassadors for Peace bring universal, spiritual principles to the tasks of resolving conflict and reconciling the divided human family. The International Leadership Conference series focuses on the urgent need for new vision and moral leadership at every level of society. Presentations offer a framework for peacebuilding and sustainable development grounded in core values and universal principles.

This year at least 150 parliament members from more than 40 nations—including as many as six cabinet ministers—along with religious leaders from all faith traditions and more than 40 journalists (with a large contingent from Asia) will be participating in the International Leadership Conference. The total number of ILC participants is more than 375, representing 62 nations. However, at the Opening Session of the ILC more than 600 people are expected to attend. (The International Media Conference will be joining selected sessions of the ILC.) The theme this year is, “Addressing the Critical Challenges of our Time: The Role of Governments, Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations.” Conference sessions will cover a variety of topics:

• Addressing the Critical Challenges of our Time: Climate Change,
• Overcoming Extremism and Promoting the Peaceful Resolution of Conflict: The Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations,
• Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: Peace and Stability in Northeast Asia, and the Korean Peninsula,
• The Critical Challenges of Our Time: Regional Perspective, and
• a special session at the Korean National Assembly called Parliamentarians for Peace.

3. Media Interaction and Visit to Two Korean Media Houses

On February 14, IMC participants will visit two media houses in Korea.

Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, literally “Cultural Broadcasting Corporation”, is one of the leading South Korean television and radio networks. Munhwa is the Korean word for “culture”. Its flagship terrestrial television station is Channel 11 (LCN) for Digital. Established on December 2, 1961, MBC is a Korean terrestrial broadcaster which has a nationwide network of 17 regional stations. Though it operates on advertising, MBC is a public broadcaster, as its largest shareholder is a public organization, The Foundation of Broadcast Culture. Today, it is a multimedia group with one terrestrial TV channel, three radio channels, five cable channels, five satellite channels and four DMB channels.

The Segye Ilbo (Segye Times or literally “World Times”) was established February 21, 1988. A year later, February 1, 1989, the first issue (16 pages) of the Segye Times was published. Under the banner of Father Moon’s life motto, “Love Heaven, Love Humankind, Love Your Country” the mission statement of this national daily focuses in three areas:

• To Provide a Sound Argument for the Reunification of Korea
• To Elevate the National Spirit
• To Realize a World of Moral Justice

4. Korean National Assembly and Launching of the Parliamentarians for Peace

On February 15 one of the ILC sessions will be at the Korean National Assembly. Parliamentarians will offer their remarks on the important work of lawmakers as well as the value that will come from increased cooperation and collaboration among parliamentarians globally. Lawmakers play a central role in nations throughout the world: representing the people, creating laws, upholding the rule of law, and respecting human rights. In essence, parliamentarians are working to build safe, secure, prosperous and peaceful societies.

At the end of this session, parliamentarians are expected to be invited to launch the “Parliamentarians for Peace” initiative (unofficial name). This will be a worldwide association of lawmakers who work together and lend the collective wisdom of their years of expertise to help address fundamental issues at all levels of society.

5. Prayer Meeting for the Unification of North Korea and South Korea

On February 15, after launching the Parliamentarians for Peace at the National Assembly, delegates will travel to Imjingak, Paju the site of North-South Korean division, to hold a “Prayer Vigil for Korean Reunification and World Peace.” Imjingak, is near Panmunjom and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where the “Bridge of Freedom” is located. The Freedom Bridge actually crosses the Imjin river. It was formerly a railroad bridge used by repatriated POWs/soldiers returning from the north. The DMZ is the buffer zone between North and South Korea, running across the peninsula roughly running along the 38th parallel. It was created by agreement between North Korea, China and the United Nations in 1953. The DMZ is 250 kilometers (160 miles) long, and about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide.

6. Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation Scholarship Presentation Ceremony and Service Award Presentation Ceremony

On February 14 at the Cheongshim International Youth Training Center, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon will distribute scholarships totaling 10 billion Korean won (approximately 10 million US dollars). More than 2,000 global scholarships will be offered, including awards to 500 Korean students and 1,500 international students. This number includes 100 students representing the 10 main religious bodies in Korea. This is the fourth scholarship presentation ceremony since the Foundation was established three years ago.

Aside from the scholarships, these students representing various religious faiths will also be giving the opportunity to participate in an interreligious youth camp, which is expected to open a new and meaningful chapter in their endeavors to promote religious harmony for the younger generation. A service award presentation ceremony will also be held to recognize individuals and organizations who have served the needy and marginalized classes of society.

The Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon on February 20, 2013 in order to advance her husband’s lifelong mission as a peace-loving global citizen. With the goal of creating a peaceful world as “one human family,” the Foundation continues to develop its educational funding and contributions to society in order to cultivate future leaders.

7. A Marriage Blessing and Marriage Rededication Ceremony

On February 20 at the finale of the week-long celebrations there will be the Marriage Blessing and Marriage Rededication Ceremony at the CheongShim Peace World Center. A total of 15,000 couples are expected to enter anew or reaffirm their wedding vows. It is a ceremony transcending nationality, race, religion and culture. More than 3,000 couples will take part onsite, while an additional 12,000 couples will participate in this ceremony through live internet broadcast to 194 nations. ADVT.