Las Vegas, NV – Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA Las Vegas held another successful, monthly Peace Forum on June 24, 2015 at Las Vegas City Hall. The meeting centered on National Parents’ Day, a national holiday to be held at the International Peace Education Center (IPEC) on July 26, 2015. In response to initiatives presented by UPF Co-Founders Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in 1994, President William Jefferson signed the Parents Day Holiday into law, to be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of every July.
Dr. Ricardo De Sena, President, UPF USA, offered an exciting power-point presentation describing the history of the Ambassadors For Peace (AFP) programs. He shared about upcoming American Leadership Conferences in Las Vegas commemorating the 10th anniversary of UPF.
Newly appointed AFPs were former State Assemblyman Gene Collins, Journalist Dianna Saffold Cooks and Entertainer Little J. Gambino, who each volunteered o help with the National Parents’ Day program.
“My heart was warmed when I saw the look on the faces of those long-time AFPs who have, for so long, fought on the battlefield for Peace and who attended the function to help meet and greet the new ambassadors,” said Little J. Gambino.
Las Vegas Secretary General Gregg Smith and Deputy Secretariat General Claudelina Smith carried the program through dinner and music.
UPF Las Vegas still has room for people wishing to participate in National Parents’ Day program.
For more information, please contact UPF Las Vegas Chairwoman Katherine Duncan Bartlett, by email at KDuncan@upfnorthamerica.org or call (702) 490-2699.
Las Vegas, United States—More than ten Malaysian members of parliament and their wives gathered in Las Vegas for the “International Leadership Conference for Malaysian Parliamentarians”, organized by UPF-USA, from May 6-13, 2015.
Special presentations were given by Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, chairman, UPF-North America; Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, president, UPF International; Dr. Yoo Chong Young, senior advisor, UPF-Malaysia; and Dr. Haitham Bundakji, vice chairman, Islamic Society of Orange County in the United States.
Speakers included Dr. Robert Kittel, education director, UPF-Asia; Mr. Ricardo de Sena, secretary general, UPF-USA; Dr. Michael Jenkins, chairman, Operation Holdings, USA; and Mrs. Kathleen Hwang of the International Peace Education Center in Las Vegas.
Malaysian parliamentarians who attended the conference were Hon. Dr. Azman Bin Ismail; Hon. Wong Sze Phin; Hon. Dr. Che Rosli Bin Che; Hon. Masir Anak Ku; Hon. Dr. Mohd Hatta Bin Md Ramli; and Mr. Mohamad Azri Bin Che Rosli, son of Hon. Dr. Che Rosli Bin Che.
After the presentations, the parliamentarians offered a gift to UPF co-founder, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
On the final day of the conference, the parliamentarians visited the International Peace Education Center and were later appointed as Ambassadors for Peace.
Las Vegas, Nevada –The Las Vegas chapter of Universal Peace Federation (UPF) USA held its monthly program and new Ambassador for Peace (AFP) appointments at Las Vegas City Hall on April 29, 2015. Mrs. Katherine Duncan-Bartlett, chairwoman of UPF Las Vegas, organized the event.
Mr. Ricardo de Sena, UPF USA president explained UPF’s principles of peace and goals to the candidates and asked them to reaffirm the responsibilities of becoming an AFP. The awards and appointments were given by Mrs. Katherine Duncan-Bartlett, chairwoman, UPF Las Vegas; Mr. Gregg Smith, secretary general, UPF Las Vegas; and Mr. de Sena.
The newly appointed AFPs will begin their work immediately, addressing interfaith peace building, strengthening marriage and family, and organizing and engaging in community service projects. The first community service project will be the creation of the Moulin Rouge Float for the Helldorado Parade. The event will provide a community platform to discuss the history of race relations in America and address ways to solve conflict.
Moulin Rouge opened in 1955 as the first interracial hotel casino in America and closed shortly afterwards under political pressure because it was still illegal at that time for the races to mingle publicly. It would be another five years, or in 1960, when equal access would be granted through the signing of the “Moulin Rouge Agreement”.
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.
Las Vegas, NV – A large crowd gathered in Las Vegas on January 19, 2015 while UPF and other organizations had their booths spreading the message “Living the Dream.” Mr. Ricardo de Sena, President, UPF USA, met with several public officials including Leiutenant Governor of Nevada (NA) Hon. Mark Hutchinson (above picture), NA State Senator Hon. Kevin Atkinson, Las Vegas (LA) Mayor Hon. Carolyn Goodman and the new sheriff of LA, Mr. Joe Lombardo.
Entertainment ranging from cheer leading to drumline marches were demonstrated during the Dream Fest. Many volunteers were recognized for their exceptional work. One of them, Mrs. Katherine Duncan was officially installed the following day on January 20th as the new Chairwoman of UPF in Las Vegas.
Click here to watch a clip of the festival and Mr. Ricardo de Sena’s remarks.
