A GREAT WEEKEND FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN WFWP AND UPF!
Over the weekend of November 12-13, Columbus, Ohio held an International Festival where people from all nations, religions, and interests come together to enjoy the festivities. The Ohio chapters of Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), shared a booth and invited people who were interested to join in our activities.
Many people who came to the WFWP booth remembered the Bridge of Peace we had arranged for over 10 years until 2014; and how it had inspired them. Our new Chairwoman, Nadya Hinson, wants to start it up again, but not just at the Festival. She has plans to conduct the Bridge of Peace in many places throughout the city and state. She told me that she is also inspired with the idea of having a Bridge of Peace with police officers. I immediately went to the security police booth and the police lady there was very excited about it. We even had the Director of the Festival, Dr. Jindal, and his staff stop by at the booth. They let us know that they strongly wish that the Bridge can again be presented at the festival.
Also, of the 22 people who signed the WFWP guest book, were almost all interested in reinstating the Bridge of Peace at the Festival. Several people were interested in speaking at one of our events and others asked if we could speak at their programs. A special thanks to WFWP ladies, Miyuki Fujikake, Gwenn Bair, and Francoise Takenake, who also helped at the booth.
There were also 21 people who signed the UPF guestbook and wanted more information or to be involved with their peace activities. Seven people would be interested in becoming Peace Ambassadors.
When speaking about different topics, suddenly people remembered about contributions of service in their own past. For example, two guests remembered their participation in the Peace Corps. They were inspired to speak at one of WFWP’s and UPF’s future programs.
Several times during the day, Lothar Schlichting, representing UPF at the table, invited families and groups for a small discussion about the meaning of the UPF logo. Looking at the logo, he explained the basic universal peace principles between man and the environment and the internal and external aspects of life. Two Ambassadors for Peace came to support the booth and invited people to sign the guestbook.
Special thanks to Houlaye Thiam, Dianne Kadonaga, and Stephen Lovejoy for their help at the booth. They each received an AFP T-shirt to wear which they proudly did. Also we would like to thank Charles Kannal and Frank who helped at the UPF booth.
