By UPF Canada
Since 1981, September 21st of each year is recognized as the International Day of Peace by the United Nations – a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Never has our world needed peace more.
The Peace Road is a global goodwill project of the Universal Peace Federation. The project dates back to the same year, 1981, when the founders of UPF, Drs. Sun Myung and Hak Ja Han Moon, proposed an international highway that will physically connect all peoples of the world.
The Peace Road effort in Montreal for 2023 included participation at the International Day of Peace event organized by Montreal’s St. Laurent borough on September 21, 2023, attended by various dignitaries of the federal, provincial, and municipal government. This year UPF was represented as UPF Canada, President, Dr. Franco Famularo was invited to share about the Peace Road effort which is fully in accord with this year’s theme of the International Day of Peace “Actions for Peace.”
On Saturday, September 23, 2023, Peace Road Montreal held an effort that included a 12 km bicycle ride from St. Laurent to Montreal-Nord borough.
Supporters included a Federal Member of Parliament for St. Laurent, Hon. Emmanuella Lambropoulos a representative of the Quebec National Assembly’s member for the area, Marwah Rizqy, the Mayor of St. Laurent, Alan DeSousa, and City councilor and leader of the opposition, Aref Salem. Each of the elected officials shared words of support and expressed their pride for being appointed Ambassadors for Peace.
Another highlight is the partnership of UPF with local branches of Lions Club International through the newly appointed Ambassador for Peace, Antoine Nahas currently Chair of the Board of Governors for Quebec and Ontario for Lions Club International.
After a walk carrying the Peace Road banner, the mayor announced the start of the 12 km trek to the borough of Montreal North. Participants rode their bicycles, did rollerblading, or used other forms of transport to reach the destination. Upon arrival, all were greeted by dignitaries and other supporters in Montreal North including, Roudayna Khcheich, the political attachée for Madwa-Nika Cadet of the National Assembly of Quebec, City Councilor for Montreal Nord Mr. Abdelhaq Sari, and Pastor Serge Celestin, President of the Council of religious leaders of Montreal North.
A team effort that included speeches by the newly arrived UPA cadets from Korea, Ms. Hirona Neupane and Hikari Miyazaki, and words of encouragement by UPF Secretary-General Robert Duffy and Quebec UPF coordinator Isabelle Laurin. Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the event a success, Pierre Beauregard, Peter Ju, Gino Masciotra, Serge Brosseau, and many other volunteers.