Universal Peace Federation: its relevance to Sri Lanka

by Oscar E.V. Fernando

President Mahinda Rajapakse in issuing a congratulatory message to the Inaugural meeting of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Sri Lanka on November 24 complimented the president of UPF thus; it is amazing that at the age of 86 Dr. Moon is continuously travelling to 100 cities in 67 countries to promote a culture of peace.

"There were also messages from the leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe and the former President D.B. Wijetunga. The President also entertained this internationally renowned delegation of the UPF at Temple Trees.

Significantly at the Commemoration of the 50th year of Sri Lanka's membership in the United Nations Organization held at the BMICH, the President referred to the role of the United Nations in building a new Sri Lanka for our children. He had also sought the assistance of the Opposition Leader and the Speaker for this effort.

Associating this concept with the UN, he must have had in mind establishing durable peace by resolving our decades old racial conflict and its attendant child recruitment for warfare and perhaps the other conflicts brewing in the country.

It is very significant to note that the President has retained the subject of the Ministry of Religious Affairs with him - perhaps with the likelihood of different secretaries overlooking the interests of various religions and also this very ministry overlooking the activities of NGO bodies that have become a thorny issue religious wise: this is a long felt need to make good use of funding by NGOs whilst at the same time not forfeiting our time honoured traditions, beliefs and religious practices.

The expertise, institutional knowledge and experience in the possession of the UPF in handling inter religious and consequent ethnic conflicts internationally, together with availability of vast funds at its disposal, would be of immense benefit to the proposed National Inter-religious Advisory Council of Sri Lanka; this council would presumably be represented by all religions in our country, to ensure that the council works impartially: perhaps it could also be an instrument to monitor performances of NGO institutions coordinating with the respective Secretaries to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Reportedly the UPF has initiated action to establish an Inter-Religious Council in the UN by way of a Resolution at the Economic and Social Council-ECOSOC at the UN General Assembly with the mediation of member states: it has also initiated action to resolve national and international conflicts through inter-religious dialogue.

The strategy of the UPF is-from peace councils to peace nations and then world peace. The UPF Charter has spelt out how inter religious values can assist resolution of issues relating to abject poverty, economic development, justice for the poor and marginalised communities, problems relating to migration, inequality in distribution of global resources, foreign aid allocation, refugee problems, unfairness of global trade and the attainment of millennium goals: All these objectives are outlined succinctly in the following passage of its core values;

'One of the innovative strategies of the peace councils to be instituted by the UPF involves-investments of hearts; that is reaching out to touch and transform the hearts and minds of people: considering the relational nature of human beings, and their fundamental need for dignity, care and love: these investments complement the more tangible economic and political investments in peace. Serious consideration of these intangible factors is absolutely necessary for a durable peace to be achieved'.

Further long term objectives intended for in countries that have welcomed them are;

A culture of peace through education, sports, arts, media and service-inter religious cooperation-partnerships among governments, religious and civil society groups-UN and its economic and social councils-an inter-religious council at the UN-good governance-human development-conflict prevention and resolution-strong loving family life-peace education-economic development-humanitarian relief: Reading through its charter and the desire of UPF to fund these projects, it can be said that all these are attainable goals to the UPF.

Sri Lanka has been specifically honoured at the Convocation of the UPF held in New York Lincoln Center in September 2005 by naming-our own former Ambassador for Sri Lanka-Laksiri Mendis a member of the Global Peace Council, in recognition of his contribution made in drafting of the UPF Charter. This convocation coincided with the 60th UN anniversary summit of Heads of States, some of whom had attended the UPF convocation.

At the inaugural meeting it transpired that it is the practice and understanding of the UPF Secretariat in New York, it would not interfere with opinions and religious beliefs of the respective nations: instead, its ideal is to promote inter-religious and inter-racial dialogue aimed at a peaceful society, nation and the world. This however is a matter that perhaps can come under the close surveillance by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The indefatigable personality behind the movement of the UPF is Dr. Sun Myung Moon of South Korea who initially instituted the International Interreligious Federation (IIFWP); his objective had been an international contribution to business, art, culture and educational facilities.

In his search for basic commonalities in the sphere of various religious beliefs he had initially established the Unification Church and with this experimentation he had launched out to the institution of the IIFWP - for establishment of a -Peace UN-through propagation of inter-religious values-a definite boon to our own envisaged Inter Religious Advisory Council that can be linked to ECOSOC at the UN General Assembly.

In introducing Dr. Moon at the Inauguration, Mr. Mendis said: "One of the aims of Dr. Moon is to establish a "true love order" in the world community. The conduct of foreign affairs would be poorer today in dealing with threats, challenges and changes outlined in the 2004 UN High Level Panel without establishing a true love order.

This true love order includes respect for family and inter-religious values such as love, kindness, justice, equity, unselfishness, reconciliation and above all living for the sake of others. To establish such a true love order, one must cultivate a culture of the heart and a culture of peace."

If these objectives are achieved by Dr. Moon through UPF, with a single minded purpose in the international sphere-that today is in shambles-then he could really be considered a saviour of the world.

The speakers at the inaugural meeting in Sri Lanka were; Dr. Sun Myung Moon Founder of the UPF, Dr. Chung Hwan Kwak, Chairman of the UPF and Dr. Thomas Walsh its Executive Director. They were followed by Ven. Dr. Kotte Pannindriya Thera, Speaker of Parliament W.J.M. Lokubandara, and Ambassador Laksiri Mendis: Dr. Baptist Croos addressed the gathering prior to the meeting.

At a largely attended dinner at the Colombo Plaza Hotel, the popular group-Friends in Harmony was in attendance. Peace Ambassador Awards were also made on this occasion.

While Ambassador Mendis is a global peace councillor representating the world body of UPF, Dr. R. Thillairajan is the national representative of the Universal Peace Federation.

It is understood that steps are now in the offing to inaugurate the local chapter for the UPF in Sri Lanka, in consultation with relevant governmental authorities and incorporate resource persons interested in serving the chapter that will function under the aegis of the UPF taking into consideration the pragmatic situation in the country vis-a-vis various religious and ethnic conflicts that are prevalent and also considering the availability of different peace secretariats in our country that could be linked under one umbrella.