"FINDING THE VISION AND WAY FORWARD" LONDON WFWP INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Informal Photo of Most of USA Team in London
Approximately one hundred women traveled from all over the world to London, England, for the 13th annual WFWP International Leader's Conference. Held in the heart of London at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, from October 7th - 10th, WFWP leaders joined with representatives from other NGOs, government, and religious groups for two and a half days of intensive education and sharing. Far more important than information was the wisdom shared by these leaders through their efforts in various countries and cultures.
Coincidentally, the location of this conference was just a half-mile from the British Museum, where Karl Marx wrote his first volume of Das Kapital in the nineteenth century. Marxist ideology, while cloaked in seductive terminology about justice and redistribution of wealth, has nonetheless created great destruction and human misery. Mr. Marx did not understand, nor could he employ, the revolutionary power of the hearts of women. WFWP asserts that this is the "Era of Women," and that the 21st century will see a groundswell for positive change which must be led by women.
Table Discussions in London Conference
Rather than violent overthrow and destruction of one's enemies, WFWP enlists women in the march to world peace through love, service, and education. This conference offered clear evidence that peace is possible, but only when both men and women are equally invested and respected in the effort.
For two and a half days, information-packed sessions centered around the theme of "Finding the vision and way forward to transform ourselves, protect our families, and build a culture of peace." Never flinching from the harsh realities of extreme poverty or the pervasiveness of gender inequality throughout the world, representatives from various regions shared reports highlighting members' ongoing activities as well as goals for the coming years. The guiding slogan of the conference was "Vision 2020," formulated last year by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, WFWP co-founder, focusing WFWP toward the achievement of measurable levels of international peace and harmony by the year 2020.
WFWP has been a non-governmental organization (NGO) in general consultative status with the United Nations since 1997. As such, WFWP service projects have been aligned with the eight UN millenium development goals (MDGs), to alleviate the most extreme gorms of human suffering by 2015.
Mrs. Angelika Selle, President WFWP USA
Dr. Lan Young Moon, President of WFWP International, welcomed attendees and offered an overview of activities in Korea. WFWPI Regional Vice Presidents gave reports to the conference on the first day. WFWP USA President Mrs. Angelika Selle opened up the first of several sessions, serving as MC. She also presented a comprehensive powerpoint on US activities over the past year. She connected all activities to WFWP Founder's Vision 2020, and the goals and objectives WFWP USA has mapped out: "Tune in to Tune Up; 32 Clean Slate Abstinence Programs around the country; Mother/Daughter Home Groups; 15 Bridge of Peace Ceremonies, Healing Seminars, local Global Women's Peace Network discussions and the introduction of the Her Story lectures.
Mrs. Lily Tadin, President of WFWP Canada reported on reaching out to state officials and having various seminars in Ottawa and Toronto.
More than half the attendees were from Europe and the UK. Other regions represented were Korea, North America, Asia (including Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia), Japan, the Northeast Region, including Hong Kong, Moldova, and Russia; the Middle East, South America, and Oceana.
International VPs with President Moon and Vice-President Choi
Unfortunately, due to last-minute problems with visas, no representatives were able to attend from Africa. Ongoing activities in Africa and other locations were described by Mrs. Yoshie Tsuboi, Director of the International Service Projects, WFWP-Japan. They are focusing on achievement of the UN's Millennium Development Goals in 100 projects in 50 different countries, many of them in Africa.
The first session on Wednesday morning, October 9th, focused on "Identifying our issues and developing our message: Becoming experts." The emcee was Mrs. Brigitte Wada, President of WFWP France, who offered a brief video of recent participation by WFWP members in the march of more than one million people for traditional marriage in Paris last January. Dr. Shantu Watt, Vice President of the UN Women's Guild, Vienna, offered a wide-ranging discussion, including history of the UN and its efforts to prevent world war, while seeing an increase in intrastate violence. Her suggestions are to have "people-centered" policies on all levels of government. "Three generations should be living together under one roof," stated Dr. Watt, who also stressed the value of intact families to protect children.
Mrs. Denneze Nelson speaking on social ills in the US
Then Mrs. Selle introduced issues facing the USA, also apologizing for the US having "exported" much "spiritual garbage" to other nations in recent years, and thus aiding in the promotion of the breakdown of the family elsewhere. She invited Mrs. Denneze Nelson, Regional Chairwoman for New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, to share deeper insights into the various issues the US is currently dealing with. As a social worker for many years, Mrs. Nelson has seen the worst kinds of domestic violence and child abuse. She stressed that current "hot topics" such as gay marriage did not arise only recently. Gender identity issues, including the distinction between "human rights" and 'civil rights" have grown over many years due to the breakdown of the family in the US. Mrs. Nelson stated that we must raise our young women to have the ambition to run for public office and to engage in the mainstream media in positive ways.
Mrs. Merly Baarlan Philippines USA UN Team
The next session dealt with "Advancing our goals through advocacy and netowrking: Capacity Building." Mrs. Merly Barlaan, President of WFWP Philippines, described successful grassroots efforts in the region of Carmen, Bohol, where emphasis on the "Vision," or a positive point of view. She often tells people, "By 2020, I see our village enjoying good homes for all the families. What is your vision?" Mrs. Barlaan also described successful efforts by WFWP to fight widespread buying and selling of votes, a source of much political corruption. (Note: Please keep the Philippine people in your thoughts and prayers as they struggle to recover from the devastation of the recent earthquake and typhoon.)
Mrs. Hisae Kobayashi, Secretary-General for the Middle East, then gave an inspirational overview of the Middle East Women's Peace Conferences, held every year since 1997 despite tremendous challenges.
On Wednesday afternoon, participants were transported via two chartered buses to the beautiful House of Parliament on the Thames River, a place which most people see only from the outside. Mr. Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament, was the host for WFWP panel discussions in Committee Room 10 of the House of Commons. Mr. Sharma gave a warm welcome to the global visitors and reminded everyone that the Parliament itself had been built by people from all over the world. He encouraged all the women in their important activities.
Mr. Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament with Dr. Lan Young Moon
The first panel discussion was on "Women's Empowerment and Networking" and was moderated by Mrs. Mitty Tohma, President of WFWP UK. Dr. Lan Young Moon, WFWPI President, described the 21st century as the Era of Women. "Mothers are needed now more than ever in this world," she stated. "Our internal minds are not corresponding to the external development of technology." She described a recent meeting between WFWP founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, where the need to strengthen the social status of women all over the world was emphasized.
Mrs. Ruth Wills, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK, spoke about gender inequalities still prevailing even in the UK. She noted that family issues are not just the business of women, but that men must also work for family-friendly environments. Mrs. Alexa Ward, Deputy Director of the WFWPI UN Office in New York, spoke about prominent women in history, profiling such famous British women as the first Queen Elizabeth; Florence Nightingale; Margaret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister of the UK; and writers like Agatha Christie and J.K. Rowling. Mrs. Ward stressed that women should realize their value which comes from God; that women can indeed break barriers and really can change this world.
Baroness Sandip Verma, a native of India and current member of the House of Lords, spoke of her life's effort to improve the status of women. In the Indian district of Uttar Pradesh, such things as inexpensive cookstoves have dramatically improved the lives of women. She encouraged attendees to emphasize their strengths and avoid "over analysis" of their weaknesses. "Women must believe in themselves and in each other," Baroness Verma stated.
Ladies in the House of Commons Plenary Session
The second panel was based on the theme of "Prevention, Protection and Provision for women and families against all forms of Violence." The panel was moderated by Mrs. Marcia de Abreu, WFWP-Spain President. She introduced Mrs. Immaculada M. Huertas, Senior Judge and President of the Observatory against Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in Madrid. Mrs. Huertas described the efforts of herself and the Observatory which, since its inception in 2002 in Spain, has achieved a decline in women's deaths from domestic violence of more than 6%.
Other speakers on this panel included Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Director of the WFWPI-UN Office in Geneva, who spoke eloquently of the need for establishing a culture of peace that is natural, not imposed from without. She stated, "Laws and regulations only punish people for violations; what is needed for lasting peace is a natural paradigm, found within the framework of a loving, healthy family."
Mrs. Lily Lin, Vice-President of WFWPI Asia, talked about root causes of violence. She described a 17-year old, recently convicted of gang rape in India, who witnessed his father regularly beating his mother. "Children must be raised with balanced minds and guided on the right paths within the family," Mrs. Lin stated. Her hope is for a "New awakening which will come when we realize that happiness is found when serving and helping others." WFWP in Asia has been successfully working with government and other NGOs in education and outreach programs for youth and families.
Mrs. Aleksandra Skonieczna, President of WFWP-Poland, is a native of Russia married to a Polish man. She described her shock at discovering things she had never learned growing up in Russia, such as the Katyn Forest Massacre of 22,000 Polish officers in 1940, covered up and denied by Russian authorities until 1989. She explained that average Russian people also suffered from the cruelty of their government. To help bridge still-lingered divisions, WFWP-Poland conducts an annual one week study tour bringing Russian and Polish people together to visit some of the sites of greatest conflict. What she has learned is that "People can change. We are educable," and that gives her great hope.
US Team singing 'Amazing Grace' and 'God Bless America'
After returning to the Royal National Hotel as the lights of the beautiful city were coming on, participants enjoyed a final dinner with awards presented to outstanding leaders. Songs were sung by the various districts, including delegates from the USA, who sang "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America." Excellent music was provided by UK performers. To close the evening, everyone joined hands around the room and sang together as musicians played "Love Can Build a Bridge." The poignant melody and words captured the loving heart of parents, particularly that of mothers, to heal our hurting world:
"I'd gladly walk across the desert...
With no shoes upon my feet ...
To share with you the last bite ...
Of bread I had to eat ...
Love can build a bridge between your heart and mine.
Love can build a bridge.
Don't you think it's time?
Don't you think it's time?" ...
(words by Naomi Judd)