GPF in Israel:Haifa

Every December the 'Festival of Festivals' takes place in Haifa Wadi Nisnas district, celebrating the Jewish Hannukah, Christian Christmas and Moslem Ramadan holidays.
On December 20, 2008, the Global Peace Festival was celebrated in Haifa, Israel, as part of Haifa city’s Wadi Nisnas annual celebrations.

http://www.backpackingisrael.com/content/view/12
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Middle_East/Israel/Haifa_District/Haifa-1708915/Off_the_Beaten_Path-Haifa-Vadi_Nisnas-BR-1.html

Altogether, police estimated that some 40,000 people participated in the city annual daylong events that took place in midtown Haifa’s neighborhood.
The diverse crowd was composed of Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze from Haifa and all around the country. Though it was in mid-winter, a perfect day welcomed families and individuals to the picturesque Wadi Nisnas where multiple festivals activities took place. The crowds began to fill up the streets as early as 10 in the morning. Walking through the narrow streets, numerous stalls were offering colorful tables filled with a large variety of products attracting the crowds.

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GPF 2008 Manila, MANILA BULLETIN

GPF Manila, as reported in the Manila Bulletin
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For a link to the story click here http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20081214143481.html

For the Chair’s speech in full, published in the newspaper, click here: http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED20081214143469.html

Story below

Global leaders endorse ‘One big family under God’

By LEONARD D. POSTRADO

Religious and political leaders from various nations yesterday shared the limelight in front of thousands of people at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in a show of unity and symbolic breaking of cultural barriers to become "one big family under God" during the Global Peace Festival.
During the occasion, GPF co-chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon announced to festival delegates the holding of the first ever World Convention of the Global Peace Festival in Manila by the end of 2009.
"London, Washington, Tokyo and Seoul were all strong candidates. But in the end, I am pleased to announce to you this evening that this GPF World Convention will be held right here in Manila," he said to the cheering crowd.
According to Moon, the peace festival in Manila which opened last December 11 should serve as a "great awakening" for the people worldwide to stand up and be united in eradicating strife and poverty worldwide.
"The dream of ‘One Family under God’ will be clarion call of our age. The time has come to tear down the man-made walls of race, culture, religion and country, and establish the peaceful, ideal world of God’s cherished desire," he said.
"As we celebrate the Global Peace Festival here in Manila, we must initiate a worldwide ‘Great Awakening’ rooted in the true universal spirit of Christianity taught by Jesus 2000 years ago," Moon added. Moon likewise called on the citizenry to make a solemn pledge in leading the world to peace through the vision of "One Family under God."
"It can end the strife and poverty of Africa, the conflict in the Middle East, and the final remnant of the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula. The power of one human family united with the Will of God can quell the turmoil of conflict throughout the world," he explained.
Political leaders took a break from politics to join the global peace celebration. Former Speaker of the House Jose De Venecia Jr., former Senate President Manuel Villar and Senator Miguel Zubiri shared the same stage as they joined religious leaders in the symbolic lighting of Peace Candles.
At least 81 governors, 18 congressmen, six senators and 30 mayors were cited by organizers in their efforts to promote peace.
In his welcome remark, Villar reminded the public that peace should start from one’s self before it resonates to others as he likened the world and the people as a spaceship in the universe and its passengers. "We share a noble dream of creating a world at peace where love resonates all over, where we focus more on the many things that unite us rather than on our differences, where harmony prevails over discord and where everyone becomes his brother’s keeper," he said.
"To build a peaceful world, we must start laying the foundation of peace in ourselves," Villar added.
As to the Philippines being chosen for the GPF world convention, Robert Kittel, GPF Public Relations director, said the country is the leading global peace advocate in the world and a perfect example of a nation with diverse cultures and religions that can live peacefully in one place.
"Take a look at the people in Mindanao. I think that’s the best way to explain how people, no matter what their race is, can live harmoniously," he said.
During the start of the festival, spectators were entertained by marching bands and street dancers donned in colorful costumes. Flags of different countries were paraded by Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) members.
People started converging in front of the Quirino Grandstand as early as 1:30 pm. Yesterday. Organizers said they were expecting some two million people to come but as of 6 p.m. last night, GPF Security Chief Venus Agustin pegged the number of attendees at 1.2 million.
Despite efforts to promote peace through becoming a single, unified family, Moon warned that attaining peace might be hampered should the basic fundamentals of family be eroded.
"Divorce and family breakdown are at an all time high. Every nation faces major challenges with its youth. The social and economic cost of the breakdown of the family is staggering," he lamented.
"The healing of the family is a spiritual task. We must make it our priority to bring God back into every family. When God is the center of our families, all our other problems will fade away," Moon added.

Some part of the program

Stage preparations and people start gathering for the main program

GPF Manila 2008, social service projects and MMU

GPF Manila 2008, service projects

Philippines regional GPF: Antipolo Rizal

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GPF Manila 2008 preparations: 10 million tickets

GPF London: behind the stage

Global Peace Festival in London Opens New Partnerships
The Global Peace Festival in London this November brought together Ambassadors for Peace from throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to a wide range activities from conferences in elegant settings to service projects in inner-city parks and a rousing concert in the ExCel center, one of London’s newest and hottest venues.
Senior statesmen spoke about their experiences addressing a variety of conflict situations, hoping that a new generation of leaders will benefit from their insights. Jan-Willem Bertens, a former Dutch Ambassador in Central America, described working behind the scenes to defuse tensions and bring armed conflicting parties together. H.E. Alfred Moisiu, former president of Albania, talked about ways people in the Balkans have been working together to rise above historic conflicts.
Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Secretary General of UPF, spoke about the needs for a universal values-based approach to form a basis for people of diverse races, religions, and nations to live together in peace. Mwalagho Kililo, Secretary General, UPF-Africa, explored the spiritual foundations of leadership and presentations about UPF’s understanding of the root cause of conflict and the principles of restoration were given by Mr. Jack Corley and Mr. Michael Balcomb.
Other speakers included Ambassador Makarim Wibisono, former president of the UN Human Rights Council, and Rev. Marcus Braybrooke of the World Peace Council, who spoke about the spiritual impulse behind the creation of the United Nations. Youth representatives from six religious traditions said that young people had a particular responsibility and opportunity to move beyond barriers created by differing religious practices and rituals, and allow the wisdom and universal values of their religions to promote human rights and dignity.
A second session reviewed the quest for common values in Europe throughout 2008, which has been designated the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Iman Abduljalil Sajid, Chair of the Task Force for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, challenged the audience to seek new opportunities for interaction among different cultures.
Focus groups addressed topics of broad interest: women’s peace initiatives, marriage and family, interfaith, community cohesion, peace and development, and the environment. Each forum attracted at least 200 participants.
Two Members of Parliament from the UK and one from Germany spoke at the Community Cohesion focus group on issues facing immigrant and minority communities. Tom Brake talked about countering the growing alienation, segregation, and lack of cohesion in his own district in England as well as urban Europe in general. Andrew Pelling described the need to offer young people positive role models and direction, and Bayram Inan described the challenges facing Turkish immigrants in Germany. Service project organizers, women activists, and religious leaders described ways they are building ongoing connections among people of diverse social, economic, and religious backgrounds.

At the Interfaith focus group, various approaches to interfaith work were presented. Speakers explored the potential benefits that cultural diversity can bring to communities, emphasizing the need to incorporate the entire spectrum of a community in ways that address the needs of all. Examples were given of bringing people together through housing projects in Northern Ireland and interfaith youth service projects.

The Marriage and Family focus group featured presentations about marriage preparation and marriage enrichment programs. Statistics show that such programs help reduce the probability of divorce. “Stable families are the building blocks of a peaceful society; it behooves a country to look carefully at how these can be nurtured,” according to Edward Hartley, chairman of UPF-UK Marriage and Family Initiative.

The Main Event
At 4:30 PM people began entering the exhibition hall at the ExCel Centre for the main event. Art exhibits and a dozen information booths from various GPF partners on themes of peace attracted much attention.
The 3,000 seats in the auditorium quickly filled up, and another 1,000 people watched the program on a screen in an overflow room. Musicians from various backgrounds and styles performed, to the delight of the audience. Dhol drums and bagpipes opened with an exciting East/West fusion perfomance, followed by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Eaton playing Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony.”
Then top UK soul singer Ola Onabule and the Austrian Peace Choir took to the stage to sing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Other singers included “New Generation” from the DaVinci’s band, Dawud Wharnsby, Steve Balsamo and The Storys, the rising teen rap star and Patti Boulaye, a popular singer also known for her charity work in Africa.

Jhr. Drs. Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland, a former Dutch government minister, welcomed Global Peace Festival founder Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who spoke extemporaneously on the theme of “One Family Under God,” a message he has been delivering throughout the year to Global Peace Festivals on five continents. He called upon the crowd to make a commitment to interfaith unity, strong families, and selfless service.
This keynote address was followed by Beatles tribute band, Bernie and the Peacemakers featuring Simon and Jo, Twist and Jive champion dancers. The music and the moves proved irresistible, and people of all ages got out of their seats to dance and mingle with one another to some of the most memorable songs. For once, it was not a Hard Day’s Night, and the evening concluded happily with the appointments of many new Ambassadors for Peace.
Following the success of GPF London, organizers say they are already making plans for a much larger festival in 2010.

GPF London: main program