by Fabrice Djimadoum
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Zambia in conjunction with the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) Zambia Chapter held a 3-Day Religious leaders’ seminar. The program took place from July 23 to 25, 2024 at the Peace Embassy building in Lusaka. Fifteen participants, the top IAPD leadership members from Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths attended this seminar. The objective of the training is to impart to the IAPD members the vision of the UPF founders Rev. And Mrs. Sun Myung Moon, the teachings and membership initiate a drive following the training.
Lectures on the Ideal of Peace, Roots, and Causes of conflicts, Family Values, and Characters education among other topics has been covered. Lectures were conducted by Rev. David Isaac Phiri, FFWPU Zambia President, and Rev. Rudolf Faerber, UPF Secretary General.
The first day gathered participants leaders from different faith (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) with presence of IAPD Zambia Executive (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General, Treasurer, deputy Treasurer and one committee member).
The seminar started around 10 o’clock with an opening prayer by one clergy, followed by remarks by the MC Pastor Andrico Tshaba, Barlaston Family Church. Afterwards, opening remark by IAPD Zambia IADP Chair, Bishop Dr. Masupa who welcomed the participants to this important and long-awaited seminar. He further mentioned that at the end of this seminar, IAPD leadership will not be the same, but will perform better as it will be a transformative experience. He finally encouraged participants to be attentive and get the best out of this seminar.
Next, the technical team projected an introductory video of UPF. The UPF Zambia Secretary General, Rev. Rudolf Faerber gave two presentations: An Introduction of UPF and “Spiritual Values as Foundation for Leadership.
After the tea break, Rev. David Isaac Phiri shared with participants a presentation on “God’s Ideal of Peace, One Family Under God”. After the lunch break, Rev. Phiri gave another presentation on “Leadership and Spirituality”. Lastly, two participants shared their comments, appreciating this Seminar which according to them is a big surprise with so many new learnings.
On the second day, Rev. Phiri shared a captivating lecture on the topic, “Understanding the Root Cause of Human Conflict” which raised positive contributions from the audience. After the break, Rev. Faerber gave a presentation on the “Principles of Restoration”, and finally after the lunch break, the topic on “Marriage and Family as Instrument of Peace” highlighted on Family values and emphasized on the family as a cornerstone of peace and development. Rev Phiri lectured on family values and the Blessing, a solution to social problems, encouraging participants to be examples, in raising good families. The marriage Blessing which contributed positively to the topics. After presentations, participants were able to ask questions.
On the third and last day of seminar, first lecture given by Rev. Faerber on “Live goals as framework for character education relating to Gen 1:28. After the break, an introduction video of IAPD was shown to the participants followed by an introduction of IAPD, its launching, its activities including the Africa Spiritual Day and the historical MOU signed between IAPD and Africa Union presented by Rev Phiri.
Mrs. Judith Annie Mwila, IAPD Zambia Deputy Secretary General highlighted to the participants the action plan of IAPD Zambia and the ongoing membership drive.
After the lectures on the Peace Blessing, participants voluntarily registered to await participants with their spouse to the marriage blessing.
The Guest of honor, Mr. Sikota Noanga, Senior Religious Affairs, an official from the Department of National Guidance and Religious Affairs under the office of the Republican Vice President gave inspiring remarks. In his conclusion, he thanked UPF and IAPD for organizing a magnificent and inspiring seminar. He further said that IAPD and UPF are the right partners to work with.
In his remarks, Grand Mufti Asadullah Mwale thanked the participants for their worthy sacrifice and for being trained to become agents of peace and take up the challenge of promoting peace. In their votes of thanks, participants have expressed their gratitude for the valuable knowledge imparted to them and are ready to spread these words to their congregation in the churches, synagogues, and mosques.
At the end of the seminar, six (6) participants were awarded Ambassadors for Peace certificates.
The awardees in their testimonies promised to uphold and defend Peace whenever they will be.