TOWARD A NEW PARADIGM OF PEACE, PARTNERSHIP, AND DEVELOPMENT
Mrs. Alexa Ward, Mrs. Cynthia Turner, Mrs. Angelika Selle, Mrs. Amelle Daou
In the middle of February in subfreezing temperatures 200 men and women world leaders gathered at the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea. The conference was entitled "Toward a New Paradigm for Peace and Human Development" and was co-sponsored by WFWP, Family Federation for World Peace, The Washington Times, and Segae Ilbo, a Korean newspaper.
These conferences occur twice a year in Korea. This year's setting, from February 9-12, was smaller than usual but of excellent quality. All presenters brought forth many great ideas filled with insights into what it takes to bring about change, or a needed paradigm shift, for making world peace a reality in various world areas, such as Northeast Asia and the Middle East, and in various cultural areas, such as the media and education.
The highlight of the opening session was a 10-minute Founder's Message from Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, which was read gracefully and passionately by her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Julia H. Moon, general director of the Universal Ballet in Korea. It inspired many. The founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, ended the conference with a Call to Action to all Ambassadors for Peace who were present, asking them to further study the teachings of her husband, the Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, and to advance the ideals of peace and human development in their nations by applying the principle of "Living for the Sake of Others." It set the tone for the conference as well as for Foundation Day, a one-day program that was included in the conference and in which all delegates participated. (See separate article)
All 35 speakers, representing all the co-sponsoring organizations, covered the topic from various angles. Everyone talked about the many obstacles, but even more important about the many possible solutions.
WFWP USA was represented by a small delegation of women leaders, including Mrs. Cynthia Turner (founder of Seraphim Global), who was one of the panelists at the WFWP National Assembly in Las Vegas in 2012. There also were Dr. Amelle Daou; Mrs. Alexa Ward, deputy secretary-general of WFWP International's office at the United Nations in New York; and myself.
WFWP's moment to shine was in one of the afternoon sessions, which highlighted WFWP International and the Global Women's Peace Network, with four excellent panelists, among them Mrs. Cynthia Turner.
[Click here to read her speech.]
Mrs. Alexa Ward did an excellent job emceeing, introducing WFWP International President Dr. Lan Young Moon (whose address stirred those in attendance), and facilitating the panel discussion. The panelists "took their gloves off," as one gentleman put it, to express what women are going through and what women have to offer for the paradigm shift to take place and to make peace possible. The following day it was noted by one of the male speakers that part of the paradigm shift for peace must involve the other half of humanity, which is women and mothers!
Throughout the sessions, speakers gave kudos to the founders of all the organizations that with so much foresight and incredible investment of themselves, their resources, and their leadership had been able to make progress in so many areas for the sake of peace! They also commented on Mother Moon's woman leadership most admiringly!
At the concluding session, a retired general from the Philippines admitted that his initial doubts and concerns about our organization and activities had completely dissolved, and that in fact his heart was so moved that he even shed tears. Mrs. Mimi Morse from Las Vegas, President Moon, and Dr. Chang Shik Yang spoke about their many beautiful experiences with Father Moon, with his teachings, and the heart behind all our activities. There was such a beautiful harmony in the room, as everyone had become so close in just a few days through this magnificent experience. The conference concluded with a group photo, in which all the ladies were asked to occupy the front row. That in itself was putting the paradigm shift into action indeed!
The next ILC Summit will be held from August 9-12, 2014 in Seoul, Korea, on the occasion of the second anniversary of Dr. Sun Myung Moon's ascension. If you are interested in participating, please email us at info@wfwp.us and submit your name to our Conference Committee.