By FFWPU Mexico
Through a process of unity and planning a couple of months in advance, the Family Federation for World Peace Colombia coordinated with the Women’s Federation for World Peace, the Youth and Student for Peace, and the Universal Peace Federation in Colombia, preparing to conduct the event to celebrate the International Day of Peace. This year the event took place under the title “Empowering Peaceful Families And Communities in Commemoration Of The International Day Of Peace” on September 23rd, 2023 at the Central Headquarters of the FFWPU Colombia.
The proposed scope was that after the time without being able to meet physically due to the restrictions of the pandemic, we would restart with some of our great friends, ambassadors of peace, and VIPs and focus especially on this occasion on new guests to continue increasing our fraternal network of contacts.
The format of the meeting was to present videos of the associations and presentations of our founders, immediately after each one the formal presentation of the directors of each area was given, inviting attendees to resume our regular face-to-face activities, so that by joining efforts and their participation we can once again increase the possibilities of expanding the culture of peace for our families and also for our community.
We had more than 70 participants who responded to our call. The event began with a Coffee Break and the reception/registration of the participants from 10:00 am. The “Peace Road” video was projected, as an introduction as one of the several activities carried out by the Unification movement and was followed by the presentation of a trio of Japanese sister singers from the Family Federation, with melodious voices and oriental clothing managed to give a beautiful prelude to this event; In this way we formally began at 11:00 in the morning, with the welcome words from Victor Castillo and Sayuki Matsuo as Masters of Ceremony on this occasion.
With the initial presentation of the Family Federation and the presence of President Juan Deara, the presentations of the Associations began.
Dr. Angelica González, Doctorate in International Unity spoke and shared her heart with the topic “BUILDING HEALTHY FAMILIES”, who emotionally strengthened the vision of unity and work of the Federations, “Emphasizing that peace begins from oneself”.
It was followed by the presentation of a video of the Mother of Peace, and here it is worth commenting that this event was also used to promote the Biography of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
Ms. Etsuko Sakata director of WFWP Colombia offered her presentation and she could also deliver the Book of the Mother of Peace to the Ambassador of Peace, Ms. Diana Elizarraras Kim, and also presented a plaque of recognition to Ana María Rivera Vázquez as a great outstanding woman in the field of academy.
Then we continued with the video presentation about the work of UPF and then general secretary, Eng. Vitor Castillo explained a little more about the 7 pillars that have been established for the specific work of their areas of action and invited them to join the network of Peace Ambassadors who contribute and work from their own areas of social contribution.
On this occasion, Professor Ricardo Martínez, head of the TonGil MoDo Federation of Mexico, was also able to present about the philosophy of martial art that places special emphasis on circular integration and the unity of the mind and spirit with the heart for the integral strengthening of the person.
The Association of Youth and Students for Peace was the one who gave the final presentation with the energy and youthful presence of its coordinator in Mexico, Mr. Somang Flores Flores, a 2nd generation young man.
As a guest closing speaker, we had the presence of Dr. Arturo Pozos, coordinator of the spiritual (and interreligious) organization TEA, who emotionally raised the reflection and its essence of making peace from silence, which is where the barriers and divisions erase the most.
With two more entertainments, one in between and another at the end of this event by the 3 Japanese sisters, the atmosphere was nourished with love and harmony.
Our closing could not miss the cutting of the victory cake, where the president of the Families Federation was invited along with some VIPs from this meeting, to elevate the victory achieved to our True Parents and our Heavenly Parents; as well as for future growth and unity among all participants. Immediately afterward, a space was opened for anyone who felt inspired in some way by what was presented, to share it, and we had 3 people who emotionally came forward; Lic. Diana expressed to us the opportunity to visualize all the work that the different Federations do and from which she has always retained the words of Rev. Moon: “The Family is the School of Peace”. They mentioned that we are all for peace and that it begins at home, inviting us all to be the true peacemakers. Young Fabian mentioned how pleased this event vitalizes us through these messages of Peace, given the heart and unchanging and tenacious determination of True Parents to promote world peace. And finally, we close with our emotional and group memory photos.
We thank all the Families and brothers of our unificationist community who contributed financially, in kind, with their time and with their prayers & devotions so that finally the guests of This event, all marked favorable, positive experiences and above all with responses and desires to participate regularly in the different associations that were presented. Now we have to plan the activities and work that will continue in each association to integrate these potential fruits that will allow us to achieve our expansion and growth in Mexico.