The Words of the Marion Family
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The Words of the Marion Family |
Moscow, Russia - On March 1, 2009 the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) organized the first Eurasia rally of the Global Peace Tour 2009 in Moscow. It was an opportunity to gather Ambassadors for Peace and new contacts, and convey our Founder’s vision for 2009 and the coming four years.
Several social projects had been held in preparation for the main event. The main activity was a dynamic program and sports tournament for children on February 27, connected with the traditional Russian holiday Maslennitsa. Held in the Social Support Center of Moscow’s Lefortovo district, it was jointly organized with the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principle and the “Mr. and Ms. University Pageant” staff.
The main event was held on March 1 at the Oxana Hotel in Moscow. It began with an International Leadership Conference on the theme of a “New Philosophy of Peace.” After the welcoming greetings from UPF-Chairman Dr. Katsumi Ohtsuka, presentations were given by three Ambassadors for Peace Dr. Vladimir Petrovsky, President of the Russian National Peace Council spoke on “Unification Thought and Marxist-Leninist Philosophy.”
Dr. Oleg Mironov, former Ombudsman of Russia (1998-2004), gave a talk on "Human Rights in Russia." Mikhail Kabatchenko, former Russian representative at UNESCO and President of “Educators for Peace and Mutual Understanding,” spoke about the “UNESCO Convention Project on Peace-Building Education.” UPF-Russia General Secretary Konstantin Krylov concluded with a report on the UPF South Caucasus Peace Initiative.
Eighty participants attended the first part of the program.
The brief presentation on Marxism Leninism, which mentioned some of Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s prophecies about the destiny of communism, was a first in a public UPF conference in Russia. It raised interesting questions and showed the need for developing a non-confrontational discussion of ideologies during this time of transition. Overall, the new insights brought by UPF as well as its concrete accomplishments were inspiring to both long-time participants and newcomers.
The afternoon program gathered around 200 participants. After a brief entertainment by past laureates of the Mr. and Ms. University Beauty Pageant, UPF-Eurasia Secretary General Jacques Marion gave a message introducing UPF and the concept of a “Parent UN.” Then, after a video presentation, the Russian president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, A. Saveliev, read the message of the Chairman of the Global Peace Tour, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon.
Three distinguished participants were given Ambassador for Peace Awards:
Mr. Chimit Dorji Ondar, former President of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Tuva and current Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Council of the Russian public "Assembly of the Peoples of Russia"
Mr. Vartan Gevorkovich Mushegyan, President of the Union of Diasporas in Russia
Mrs. Natalia Sergeevna Kosminskaya, Honored Artist of the City of Moscow and Advisor to the Russian Peace Fund
The event concluded with a beautiful rendition of the Global Peace Festival anthem by three Mr. and Ms. University laureates.