Energized Reunion in Las Vegas

Written by Jorge Espinosa on March 19, 2015. Posted in Ambassadors for Peace, American Leadership Conference

Las Vegas, NV – A new beginning for the City of Las Vegas occurred on March 18, 2015. The Las Vegas Chapter of the Universal Peace Federation USA (UPFLV)  held a reunion mixer at the Now Café’, on the 2nd floor of the Las Vegas City Hall. 22 people attended and heard plans for Las Vegas to become the model city for peacebuilding in America. Three people have already registered for the next meeting on April 29, 2015.

Newly appointed Las Vegas UPF USA leaders, Mrs. Katherine Duncan-Bartlett, Chairwoman, and Mr. Gregg Smith, Secretariat General, established three committees aligning with the National and International goals as were presented by the Dr. Ricardo de Sena, President, Universal Peace Federation USA (UPF USA).  One of the main goals outlined was holding of an American Leadership Conference in Las Vegas this year.

Local Las Vegas Ambassadors for Peace (AFPs) eagerly registered for three committee assignments in preparation for the upcoming, monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month.  New AFPs will be appointed to work in the areas of interfaith peacebuilding, marriage and family relations and serving the community.

UPFLV is going to celebrate several days in 2015, namely International Day of Families on May 15; National Parent’s Day on July 26; and International Day of Peace on September 21.    
     

AFPs were asked to support the amazing work that is already being done in Las Vegas to strengthen local initiatives such as the Mayor’s Interfaith Council, the Women’s Federation for World Peace, and the Family Education and Empowerment Foundation.  Representatives from each initiative were present at the reunion.

AFPs were encouraged to become members of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and to help plan an annual “One World Under God” festival to provide the necessary funds to support the local initiatives.

“I was very thrilled to have a big check presented on behalf of UPF founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon” said the UPFLV Chairwoman, in a surprise presentation to support the Moulin Rouge Community Development Corporation.  The corporation is a major community service project aimed at eradicating the slum and blight in Las Vegas, restoring an important African American landmark and establishing a training center for the hardest-to-employ individuals to find jobs in the hospitality industry.

Dr. de Sena was very pleased with the Now Café’ and suggested for UPFLV to have all of their monthly meetings in the same location.  UPFLV believes it will grow large enough to have their meetings at the Las Vegas City Council Chamber in the near future. 

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American Leadership Conference: Building a Nation of Peace

Written by Jorge Espinosa on December 19, 2014. Posted in Ambassadors for Peace, American Leadership Conference

New York, NY – Universal Peace Federation, USA, in partnership with UNESCO Center for Peace, NY Chapter, organizes a phenomenal American Leadership Conference on December 19th in New York City.

The sixty participants who attended the event included a range between long-time established guests, to rising young adult leaders, all of whom were passionate about bringing change to America.

The program began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Thomas Walsh – President of UPF International – who gave the highlights of the work of UPF in 2014. Dr. Walsh was followed by Her Excellency Ms. Sire Dione Conde – President, UNESCO Centers for Peace, NY Chapter – who warmly welcomed the guests and thanked them for their attendance.

Mr. Ricardo de Sena, President, UPF USA, spoke on the second session of the program regarding marriage and family. Mr. de Sena also congratulated Dr. Joseph Champagne, Mayor, South Toms River, New Jersey, alongside Secretary General Cynthia Shibuya, as Mayor Champagne was appointed to become an Ambassador for Peace.

A total of five sessions where held discussing and giving solutions for topics such as “A Vision for Peace: Universal Principle of Creation,” addressed by Dr. Thomas Walsh and “The Root Cause of Conflict and Principles of Reconciliation,” addressed by Her Excellency Mrs. Genie Kagawa, Chairwoman of UN NGO Committee on Spirituality.

UPF USA focuses four main areas, two of which include inter-faith activities and youth services. Both of these were addressed during the conference as Ashley Freema Weeks, President, Ghanaian Youth Education Outreach of USA, and several religious leaders attended including Rabbi Roger Ross, Executive Director, Rabbinical Seminary International, and new recently appointed Ambassador for Peace, Imam Konate, Vice President of the Imam Leadership Council in Harlem.

Fourteen new Ambassadors for Peace were also appointed during this conference with a call to action as they embark to establish a nation of peace here in the United States of America.

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