Northern Europe

The fifth anniversary of the Watford Bridge of Peace was celebrated on March 30, 2008 at the Multi-Cultural Community Center in Watford, a town 34 kilometers northwest of London.

UPF's Middle East Peace Initiative programs from 2005-07 included fact-finding tours to inform participants of the perceived prospects for a peaceful resolution of the conflict from a range of informed opinions from both Israelis and Palestinians.

Plans for a collaborative health care project are evolving out of the Middle East Peace Initiative fact-finding trips. Participants in a European MEPI fact-finding tour visited the Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem in 2007.

A peace festival in the United Kingdom turned out to be a “global” experience in terms of the diversity of ethnicities and cultures represented. Advertised under the slogan “Click,” invitees were each encouraged to look at ways they can “click” with a person from a different culture. Eight partner organizations worked together on the September 8-10, 2007, event, held at the Imperial College in London.

An enlightening conference at the September 2007 Global Peace Festival in London aimed to provide some answers to questions such as “how can communities hand down traditions and values from old to young?” Sudhir Kundi Ji inaugurated this conference by introducing himself and the ethos of the Sant Nirankari Mission by stating that through spiritual awakening, or the knowledge of God, man could become closer to his fellow men and this Almighty God.

Our good friend and colleague, Professor Tor Ragnar Gerholm, Ambassador for Peace, died at the age of 81.

Pilistvere, Estonia – One group worked at the Lutheran church cleaning and finishing the restoration work in the steeple of the church. The second group worked on two adventure courses which benefited the community and could be enjoyed by everyone. Finally, on the third project, the group built an extension to one side of the sauna and on the roof.

British Muslims are the most multiracial, multinational, and multilingual in the world. We are also becoming the most innovative in evolving into the kinds of Muslims that will be relevant and a suitable prototype for the 21st century.

Copenhagen, Denmark- Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon arrived in Denmark for the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation at the Marriott Hotel. The Grand Ballroom was filled to overflowing with more than 500 guests.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon spoke to an audience of 1,500 in London about his vision for world peace. "The time has come for the countries of the world to pool their resources and advance toward the world of peace desired by God."

Tallinn, Estonia - A standing-room only welcomed Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon to Estonia for the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation.

Over 200 people attended the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation in Latvia.

Belfast, Northern Ireland—Thirty-five RYS participants from twelve nations joined together to model and build a Peace Garden at the Columbanus Center for Reconciliation.