'Global Peace Festival' Lands in USA

Thousands of religious, civic and community leaders, their supporters and families are gathering in major U.S. cities for an interreligious and interracial celebration of "One Family Under God." The Global Peace Festival, an international initiative of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), is visiting twelve cities, beginning November 11, Veterans Day in Los Angeles and culminating in New York and New Jersey on the eve of Thanksgiving, Nov. 21. The tour has been well-received, playing to packed houses and generating a spirit of joy and commitment.

Some 2000 local leaders are expected to be appointed by UPF as Ambassadors for Peace during the tour. They will join the tens of thousands of peacemakers who have been recognized for making a difference in their countries and communities by exemplifying the ideals of family, service and reconciliation. Each event will include peace education, interfaith prayers, entertainment and fellowship. Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of UPF with her husband, the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, will deliver the keynote address in each city. In keeping with the principle that loving families are the cornerstone of peaceful societies, the Moons' third son, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, is accompanying and introducing his mother, giving special remarks, and meeting with local leaders in each city.

The festival highlights America's founding spirit of freedom, faith and family, and her global responsibility to transcend the barriers of race, religion and culture. "On America's shoulders rests the responsibility, within God's providence, to bring harmony and oneness among the world's 6.5 billion people and to expedite the creation of a peaceful, ideal world," Mrs. Moon told the opening night crowd in Los Angeles.

The festival raises awareness of the UN's Millennium Development Goals, aimed at reducing poverty, hunger and disease while increasing equality, development and environmental responsibility by 2015.

UPF was established in 2005 on the foundation of Rev Moon's seventy-year ministry as founder of the Unification Church, the Family Federation for World Peace and numerous initiatives promoting interreligious harmony, education, and community service. UPF is guided by a vision of humanity as one global family of God, living in accordance with universal principles enshrined in the teachings of the world's great faiths. To learn more visit http://www.upf.org.

Today the Moons' work spans 195 nations, in fields as varied as athletics and the arts; media and communications; agriculture and industry; marine development and technology. "Everybody has heard of them, but few have any idea of just how much Reverend and Mrs. Moon and their supporters have contributed toward building a peaceful, prosperous and just world," explains Sir James Mancham, founding President of the country of Seychelles. "How many people with their generosity, commitment, and sense of purpose and urgency do we find in the world today?" For more information on their vision and work visit: http://www.reverendsunmyungmoon.org.

In addition to her role as an international speaker and spiritual leader, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon is the mother of fourteen children and grandmother of more than forty. She founded the Women's Federation for Peace (WFWP) in 1992 to encourage an active leadership role for women as peacemakers. WFWP has established schools, medical and service projects in the developing world, supported women's issues at the UN and sponsored "Bridge of Peace" programs to reconcile women from traditional enemy nations and diverse races. See http://www.wfwp.org or http://www.wfwp.us.

"The world stones true prophets, and Father Moon is a true prophet. If every person under the sun would truly and earnestly take to their heart what Father Moon has delivered from God, the Kingdom of God shall have been finally established on earth as it is in heaven--that is, the kingdom of true and genuine love for God and neighbor, forgiveness, peace and unity."

Right Hon. Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa, former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe