- Written by: Dr. Vladimir Petrovskiy, Chief Academic Researcher, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
After the end of the socialist system in Europe, following the dissolution of the USSR, Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia, new sovereign states with new borders appeared on the map of Europe. In the context of the current geopolitical realities, participating nations of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) need to come to the negotiating table to revise the Helsinki Accords to reach a mutually acceptable understanding of the previous frameworks and discuss their possible modification. Panelists in this session will offer their perspectives on the role that may be played by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – and by the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) – in this undertaking.
- Written by: UPF Europe and Middle East
As a historical crossroads of empires and cultures, the Balkan Peninsula is the center of political, cultural and religious influences that make it a significant field for interreligious and intercultural peacebuilding in Europe in the 21st century. In this session, panelists will offer their perspectives on peacebuilding initiatives undertaken in the Balkans and recommend action steps toward a peaceful and democratic future in the region. This session also will feature a presentation of the Balkan Peace Road project promoted by UPF.
- Written by: Ms. Manjola Vasmatics, Secretary General, Tirana UPF Peace Council, Albania
Intervention of Ms. Manjola Vasmatics, Secretary General, Tirana UPF Peace Council, Albania, at the international leadership conference in Vienna, Austria.
- Written by: UPF Europe and Middle East
In the afternoon of 29th April 2018, the ILC attendees participated in the "Peace Starts with Me" Festival at the Wiener Stadthalle attended by 10,000 people, at which the keynote address was given by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founder of UPF.
- Written by: UPF Europe and Middle East
It is time for humanity to embrace universally shared values, going beyond differences of ideology, race, nationality, and religion, and pursue a path of mutual cooperation and mutual prosperity. In this way it is possible to build a world of lasting and sustainable peace that can be bequeathed to future generations. To fulfill this task, religious leaders have a primary responsibility to cooperate beyond denominations and work in harmony with leaders in all fields of society. In this session, religious leaders and leaders of faith-based organizations will propose the formation of a world-level interfaith association through which to work together for peace and development.
- Written by: Archbishop Dr Johanes Ndanga, Founder and Director, Pentecostal Church of Christ International, Zimbabwe
Intervention of Archbishop Dr Johanes Ndanga, Founder and Director, Pentecostal Church of Christ International, Zimbabwe, at the international leadership conference in Vienna, Austria.
- Written by: UPF Europe and Middle East
The International Leadership Conference concluded with a large dinner banquet at the Parkhotel Schönbrunn, at which congratulatory words and reflections were shared by the former president of Albania, a Moroccan scholar and a woman leader from the United Kingdom. The following day, some of the conference participants made a pilgrimage to the Mauthausen Memorial to offer an interreligious prayer.
- Written by: Dr. William Selig, UPF International
Dakar, Senegal—The historic World Africa Summit 2018 was convened from January 18 to 19, 2018, in Dakar, Senegal, on the theme “New Africa: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values,” with about 1,200 participants representing more than 60 nations.