Environmental stewardship underscores the responsibility we all share in caring for the natural world and ensuring its long-term health. At the heart of this celebration was the collective commitment to conservation, with a focus on practical actions that will make a real difference in Kenya’s fight against environmental degradation.

Global Peace Foundation Kenya, alongside key partners, recently celebrated the 2nd Mazingira Day, a day dedicated to environmental awareness and action, at Starehe Girls Centre. This event was a powerful demonstration of environmental stewardship, as it aimed to address the critical challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution while promoting sustainable practices that can safeguard our planet’s future.

A Collaborative Commitment to Sustainability

Speakers highlighted the community’s commitment to supporting the national tree-growing strategy. By actively participating in efforts to plant trees and promote sustainability, the Starehe Girls Centre is instilling the values of environmental responsibility in its students, encouraging them to become future stewards of the environment.

A representative from KCB Bank also demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, announcing its goal of planting 1,500 trees at its branches by 2027, with a broader vision to plant 1 million trees annually. This initiative not only contributes to the ongoing national tree-growing campaign but also sets a model for other corporations to integrate environmental stewardship into their business practices.

Empowering Communities to Protect the Environment

Representatives from Global Peace Foundation Kenya highlighted the collaborative efforts that have allowed them to establish over 15 tree nurseries across 11 counties, which have produced over 2 million trees to date. These nurseries, with the capacity to grow 100,000 trees each, are a testament to the power of grassroots efforts in achieving large-scale environmental goals. Through such initiatives, communities are not only being empowered to take ownership of their environment but are also contributing directly to Kenya’s ambitious goal of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.

Taking Action: Planting 150 Trees

The event concluded with a hands-on demonstration of environmental stewardship—planting 150 trees at Starehe Girls Centre. This symbolic act was a reminder that environmental conservation requires both advocacy and action. Each tree planted represents a commitment to the future, helping to restore ecosystems, reduce carbon emissions, and promote biodiversity.

Moving Forward: Fostering a Culture of Environmental Stewardship

As Kenya continues to face environmental challenges, collective action is essential. The 2nd Mazingira Day was a powerful reminder that environmental stewardship is not just the responsibility of one organization or sector—it requires a broad and inclusive approach. By working together—across communities, businesses, schools, and government—we can protect and restore our environment for future generations.

The efforts seen at Mazingira Day serve as an example of how environmental stewardship can be woven into the fabric of everyday life. From the leadership of organizations like KCB Bank and Starehe Girls Centre to the grassroots efforts of local communities, every action counts. With sustained commitment and collaboration, Kenya can meet its ambitious environmental goals, ensuring a greener, more sustainable future for all.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

“The interfaith approach of GPF is built on the premise that there is a common vision that motivates and animates all of humanity. That vision is One Family under God.”

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon highlighted the unique peacebuilding approach of the Global Peace Foundation during his first visit to Abuja, Nigeria in 2013. Over the last decade, GPF Nigeria has taken significant strides in healing communities once divided between Christians and Muslims, tribal beliefs, and cultural traditions. Stakeholders across the country have joined Peace and Reconciliation Committees and, most recently, the establishment of Cooperative Societies.

Dr. Moon’s encouragement in 2013 forecasted the powerful transformation Nigeria had in store. “Africans have not been overwhelmed by their challenges. They have the spirit and hope to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their future generations. That is more precious than all the gold, oil, or diamonds that are on this continent. That is what will allow Africa to lift itself from its challenges and will bring a brighter future for the children and the children’s children.”

“I’m inspired by the enthusiasm and unity displayed today. Let’s harness the power of cooperation to create sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for all members of our community.”

A leader of the Ni’ima Cooperative Society, a partner of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm for the joint efforts to bridge religious and cultural divides in Southern Kaduna, saying, “I’m inspired by the unity and enthusiasm displayed today. Let’s harness the power of cooperation to create sustainable livelihoods and opportunities for all members of our community.”

In a one-day event held in Fadan Chawai on March 2, 2024, more than 160 men, women, and youth gathered to hear keynote speeches from community and religious leaders advocating for cooperative societies and peaceful coexistence. The audience included families, local authorities, and people from various cultural backgrounds.

“As the Divisional Police Officer, I commend the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in promoting peace and economic stability,” said one participant, “Let’s continue working together for a safer and prosperous community.”

A representative of GPF Nigeria stated, “On behalf of the Global Peace Foundation, I applaud the community’s commitment to unity and cooperation. Together, we can build a future of peace and prosperity for all as members of One Family Under God.”

A captain from the Nigerian Army was moved by the collaboration he saw at the forum, stating, “I commend the community’s dedication to peacebuilding. Let’s continue to support each other in fostering security and development.”

The Kauru Peace and Reconciliation Committee chairman also commended the community for coming together to build a more resilient community. The peace committee is one of several groups formed following years of peacebuilding workshops and facilitated dialogue by GPF Nigeria. Together with local partners, the peace committee strives to foster collaboration, enhance community empowerment, strengthen security, and increase economic resilience.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

While Nigeria is working to transition a new administration that began on May 29, 2023, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria has been tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure peace before, during, and after election season. 

The country, like many around the world, faces tension during each election season. However, GPF Nigeria’s ongoing work to prevent election violence has significantly lowered violence, including retaliation violence, and encouraged peaceful dialogue among diverse communities.

GPF’s vision, “One Family under God,” is at the core of every gathering hosted by GPF Nigeria. One of the latest assemblies brought together faith leaders, traditional rulers, and prominent youth and women leaders for a forum titled “The Role of Faith Leaders in Dousing Post-Election Tension.”

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Country Director of GPF Nigeria, gave welcoming remarks and recognized the significance of the audience’s diversity, saying, “There are lots of misgivings, misconceptions and misrepresentations of issues, particularly in social media which are capable of hampering the peace we worked together to achieve before, during and after the elections.”

“Elections are not over in Nigeria until after the inauguration and conclusion of cases in the court,” said Rev. Hayab. He charged the clerics and other leaders present to actively participate in helping dispel tension and mitigate violence amongst their followers.

Sheikh Halliru Abdullahi Maraya, the Northern Coordinator of GPF Nigeria, stated that the 2023 general elections were one of the most peaceful in the last 100 years of Nigerian political record thanks to the hard work of all parties present at the peacebuilding forum. Sheik Maraya applauded religious leaders for not letting political agendas overtake their places of worship but instead encouraged people to uphold common values and the nation’s interests as a whole. “Regardless of religious leanings, faith leaders must accept that as humans, we are first, members of one family under God and do all they can to preach it,” Sheik Maraya said.

Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad, the Sa’en Lere, who is the representative of Kaduna State Traditional Council and joint Patron of the KSPMC, and Rev. Bitrus Dangiwa, the Co-Chairman of KSPMC emphatically sounded in their separate remarks that Kaduna State Peace and Mediation Committee is one of the best things that has ever happened to Kaduna state. Alhaji Yusuf said, “The last election is the most peaceful I have witnessed in my life as an electorate in this country. It was relatively peaceful, particularly in Kaduna state, and thanks to the effort of GPF Nigeria.” He further pointed out that war and crisis begin from something small, so the Nigerian people must not give it a chance. He agreed with other speakers saying, “Religious leaders must set the standard and live by example. Do all you can and ensure you disseminate what we discuss here in your various churches and mosques.”

People across faith and denomination embraced the message of peace at the forum, pledging to work towards a peaceful transition during the administration turnover.

GPF Nigeria continues to advocate for community-driven peacebuilding through Peace and Reconciliation Committees around the country. Groups like the Lapai Peace and Reconciliation Committee are expanding sub-committees to address specific needs such as “Research, Quick Response, and Mediation.” Peace and Reconciliation Committees also conduct training programs for volunteers and are the planners for peace festivals that will be held throughout the coming year.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

Select schools in Uganda have been chosen to implement a curriculum which, in a complement to promoting academic excellence, helps to cultivate peace and community building skills. The Global Peace Foundation Uganda has been implementing the Character and Creativity Initiatives (CCI) towards this end.

These schools have begun to demonstrate a high level of innovation, entrepreneurship, and teamwork as well as a culture of peace in the school and wider community. Parents and community members have been key contributors to this school-wide transformation, pointing to the importance of the school-home-community connection in raising the whole child.

Teachers participate in CCI training programs

Participants including administration, staff, teachers, students and parents CCI schools have reported positive outcomes related to this inclusive, ethical framework and its corresponding CCI activities and programs.

A key practice of CCI actively involves parents as well as Muslim and Christian leaders to guide teachers on how to integrate the values of respect, dialogue, reconciliation, teamwork and unity beyond religious and cultural boundaries in the classroom and the school in general.

To reinforce these lessons, GPF actively engages students of different religious and cultural backgrounds to work and interact with one another in service to the community. This has helped to transform the culture not only in the schools but also in the students’ homes. When students of diverse backgrounds work together for projects such as community cleans-ups, tree planting, support work for orphans, they model desirable attitudes and behaviors for those they serve; they not only cultivate leadership skills but also naturally developing a culture of care and service among students, families and the community.

CCI demonstration schools have also embraced the idea of interfaith prayers, calling for unity in diversity, peace and academic excellence.  The schools also invite faith and cultural religious leaders to jointly work to nurture good character among students and the community at large.  This strengthens awareness of and commitment to the vision of One Family under God and motivates students to think of character and creativity as part of a “whole person education” even beyond the schoolyard.

Global Peace Foundation in Uganda

Parents of students are invited to participate and observe their children during School Visitation Days, which has helped to invite higher parent participation in schools. This, in turn, has shown to help to make more accurate assessments and evaluations to tailor learning and engagement in ways that improve discipline, academic performance and create effective solutions to a student’s unique challenges.

This practice takes on the idea that in educating for a world of One Family Under God, individual families must be engaged to become the basis for peace and development of every individual.  Parents and teachers jointly work together to educate the “whole person” through investing resources in CCI best practices.

These are just some of the best practices from the Uganda CCI schools. How might you bring character and creativity to your own community?

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

It was a fateful day that Milton encountered a message that would ignite his heart, mind and his world. Milton grew up in Kampala, Uganda and dreamed of making his nation strong and prosperous. In 2008, he had settled in Kenya to grow a small business. While he still carried dreams of a better world, he put them aside to focus on work.

His friend invited him to join a youth leadership program, so he attended the first of a 3-day Global Peace Leadership Conference. It was here that he heard of the ideal of One Family Under God that stirred awake the dreams of his childhood.

In his address, Chairman and co-founder of Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon detailed a vision for a world of lasting peace and shared prosperity, a world guided by the vision of “One Family Under God.” In short, he encouraged those in the audience to join together to bring substance to this vision which he believed was alive in every heart of Africa.

Teachers in Uganda participate in Character and Creativity training workshop

Fast forward to 2018, Milton had taken up Dr. Moon’s charge on that day to form his own branch of Global Peace Foundation in Uganda. As the Uganda chapter prepared for a Global Peace Leadership Conference last August, we look back to the vision for Uganda and Africa that inspired Milton as shared on national television network Uganda Broadcasting Corporation and how this vision has taken shape.

In his interview, Milton called for “a new strategy, new approaches, in terms of solving the root problems… that have been challenging not just his home country of Uganda but the world at large.”

He saw that solving the root problems for all Africa start by cultivating the “core content of character and creativity.”

He observed:

Before we can talk about uniting all of Africa, we need our youth to start having shared values, principles, shared expression for peace and prosperity. So their hands can be able to be self-reliant, to be able to work with others, to have partnerships, to look beyond their nose.

We need national values that can transcend lines of identity and bring people together to align objectives, agendas. […] If we can come together as a nation, we can attract peace, investment, stability, etc.

In casting his dream for Africa “to have powerful, vibrant economies” he saw the most critical way forward to change mindsets. Contrary to popular belief, Milton saw capital as coming first and foremost from a mindset and as such he has been working in Uganda to raise the next generation of moral, innovative leaders through a focus on character and creativity.

To do this, he explained the need to look at leadership itself differently; to work bottom up: with families, faith leaders, community leaders to prepare the next generation.

Family, Milton asserted, is the primary place to prepare children to become “global changemakers, peacebuilders”. From the family, children grow into their communities and schools, eventually growing into active citizens who transform their society, nation, and the world.

Children in a CCI classroom in Kenya

He pointed to the efforts of GPF in Kenya where its Character and Creativity Initiative has been nurturing global changemakers. In the classrooms, he encouraged evaluating not only academic performance and skills but to evaluate character, conduct, and creativity. To this end, Kenya CCI has evaluations on conduct and creativity and has created leadership hubs in schools to share ideas, invent, create and raise social entrepreneurs.

Milton also pointed to the critical role that faith leaders play in Uganda. He noted that in the country, every week, people of faith hear the messages of the faith leaders in their own communities. Were faith leaders to align their message in the direction of a shared national vision for peace, character, and creativity, there would be a transformation on a national scale.

There are always a million different paths a person might take. Milton chose to take up a global dream and to make it a reality in Uganda on that day in 2008. He continues on today with his team in Uganda to push forward his dreams, their dreams, and our dreams of One Family Under God.

How will your dreams take shape?

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

The following speech was delivered at the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Kampala, Uganda under the theme, “Moral and Innovative Leadership: New Models for Peace and Development,” held at the Munyonyo Resort on August 1-2, 2018.

Your Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentleman:

It is my honor to address this Global Peace Leadership Conference on the timely theme of “Moral and Innovative Leadership: New Models for Sustainable Peace and Development.” I want to sincerely thank His Excellency President Museveni for his leadership in hosting this convening, and guiding the important initiatives that will follow from it.

We greatly appreciate the National Organizing Committee with the Government of Uganda, along with co-conveners who worked tirelessly with Global Peace Foundation to make this all possible. Please recognize the Interreligious Council of Uganda and East Africa, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, and other partners.  Special thanks are also due to former President Amani Karume of Zanzibar, Chairman of the GPF Africa Leadership Mission, for his wise guidance.

Finally, I want to especially thank the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, who chaired the National Organizing Committee, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, and our dedicated GPF Uganda Chapter leader, Milton Kambula.

Africa is a continent vibrant with possibilities. There is vast potential in your great resources, a noble, spiritual and cultural heritage, and a large youth population yearning for a future of peace and prosperity. How can their hopes, and the enormous promise of this continent, be fulfilled?

Many serious obstacles must be overcome to create truly just, equitable and flourishing societies. If these obstacles are not addressed in a comprehensive way, we are all too well aware that many of those young people, their hopes frustrated, could swell the ranks of the violent extremists and the criminal gangs that are undermining stability and prosperity in so many African countries.

You are all too familiar with this here in Uganda and throughout East Africa, where religious and ethnic conflicts and extremism spread across borders and threaten peace throughout the region.

To unlock the potential of the African continent, its people, its families and its youth, and to address the challenges that at times appear insurmountable, calls for a comprehensive vision and broad, long-term strategy. The core mission of the Global Peace Foundation is to advance such a vision and to engage multi-sectoral alliances in developing the strategies and practical grassroots applications that give it substance. We can see this purpose reflected in the great diversity of backgrounds represented in the participants here. You represent government and politics, business and education, and faith and community leaders.

To tackle the obstacles before us that undermine peace and development we need, at every level – from the highest echelons of government to the smallest village community – leadership that is both moral and innovative.

Moral leadership is guided by fundamental universal principles and values that are found at the heart of every great faith and wisdom tradition. At its core, moral leadership acknowledges that every human being is “endowed by our Creator” with eternal value, dignity, rights and responsibilities.

This principle is the foundation of good governance, which is key to establishing peace and prosperity. A moral leader lives for the benefit of his people, all his people – not just one class, one faith, or one interest group. This may seem quite idealistic but it is practical politics as well. The more people in a nation are educated and empowered to be creative, responsible, and productive citizen owners, the more prosperous that nation will become. The moral leader aspires to unleash the potential of all citizens to the greater benefit of the whole.

Within a moral framework of principles and values, the leader can then address practical problems in creative and innovative ways. All over the world societies are facing unprecedented challenges, and the East Africa region is no exception. Old ways of thinking are no longer adequate. Our time requires fresh, creative ideas, and thinking outside of the box. New technologies and in-depth analytics on many issues can be tapped to reveal new possibilities in this effort. Multi-nationals in the digital information field can increase their level of partnership with countries in the emerging world in this area.

It is in the interest of cultivating moral, innovative leaders to take on these challenges that the Global Peace Foundation has worked with educators and officials across East Africa to establish the Character and Creativity Initiative in schools and launch Entrepreneurship Leap Hubs in Kenya, Uganda and other parts of the region.

In educating youth in both character and creativity, we can equip them with a moral and innovative mindset, better preparing them to be good citizens and good neighbors. The goal is also to better prepare young people for life after school in the present environment. Recognizing that not enough traditional jobs may be created for all the booming youth population, character and creativity programs develop initiative and flexibility of thought with an emphasis on personal responsibility and the creation of new opportunities.

Offering the young hope and opportunities in a time of uncertain future is also one of the keys for addressing the pressing problem of identity-based conflict, driven by the violent extremism of religious and ethnic hatred. On this issue more than nearly any other, we need more than policies and programs. We need an overarching vision, a vision based on our common humanity, a vision that inspires meaning and purpose that can transcend the divisive ideologies of the extremists.

Such a vision emerges from the principle that we human beings are all created by God and endowed with equal value and dignity. We are all, essentially, “One Family under God.” This is our core identity, more fundamental than any worldview built on narrow identities that set one group of people against others.

This vision is being translated into practice and applied at the grassroots level by GPF with our many African partners even as we speak. In the wake of Kenya’s 2007-2008 post-election violence, GPF was at the forefront of conflict resolution efforts at both the government and local levels. At the 2010 Global Peace Convention, held in Nairobi, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga participated together in a tangible demonstration that even bitter rivals can resolve differences for the greater good of the nation. Meanwhile in hot spots like the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, GPF gave support to community groups formed to prevent future violence.

In Nigeria’s Kaduna State which stands between the predominantly Muslim and predominantly Christian areas of the country, our GPF team there developed the One Family under God Peacebuilding Campaign that engages local faith and community leaders, working together to immunize their villages against sectarian violence. Two of the most active leaders of that program are here with us today. Let’s recognize Rev. John Hayab and Sheikh Maraya for their noble efforts.

GPF is also highly committed to its ongoing collaboration with Interreligious Councils in East Africa, here in Uganda as well as in Tanzania, Kenya and throughout the region. By marshalling the power of faith communities in collaborative action to solve problems and counter the appeal of extremist groups like Al Shabbab, these Interreligious Councils can provide essential leadership throughout the region that also provides a model of global significance.

All these initiatives are being driven by Africans themselves. They are examples of African people stepping forward to solve local and regional problems. President Museveni has called for an African-led Renaissance, for Africans to take up responsibility for Africa’s future. I fully support this approach. Through it you can expect to see the emergence of more and more effective moral and innovative leaders in every sector and at every level of society, from the village to the Government House.

For my home country of Korea, I have articulated a vision, the Korean Dream, and a movement to re-unify the divided Korean people. It is a Korean-led movement where Koreans take up responsibility for their own destiny. Based on my own experience, I know that positive change for Africa must be driven by African leadership.

The Korean Dream is not primarily about politics or process. It draws on the deep values that underlie Korea’s culture and have guided its history. To build a new future free of division and conflict, we must learn from our past. At the heart of these values is the Korean ideal of Hongik Ingan or living for the greater benefit of all mankind. It is a fitting motto for moral leadership and good governance. I believe that an African-led Renaissance must likewise draw upon the wisdom, heritage, and traditional values of the African village and extended families and apply them in creative ways to building a bright future.

In fact, I see many parallels between Korea and Uganda, as well as other African countries. We both experienced colonial rule in the 20^th century and even after independence were caught up in the geopolitics of the Cold War, squeezed by great powers and their ideologies. Korea, after the Korean war was at a similar level of economic development as many African countries today. It has shown a way forward that offers important lessons for the countries of the emerging world as a nation that was both poor and a colony not so long ago. This is important in a world in which the economic leadership of Western nations can no longer be taken for granted.

Furthermore, the dominant values of the secular West often present a direct challenge to the traditional, time-tested values of Africa and Korea, particularly in fomenting forms of irresponsible individualism at the expense of the family and community. Families are the foundations of a stable and prosperous society. They shape the character and outlook of future generations of citizens. It is hard to imagine a successful future for any society in which individual whims are allowed to dominate. Resisting this tide by drawing on our traditions is another significant area where Africa and Korea can cooperate.

March 1 next year is the centenary of the Korean Independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. It was launched in 1919 with peaceful mass demonstrations where the Korean Declaration of Independence was proclaimed. The centenary will be a moment for rededication to the ideals and aspirations of those independence champions, and to galvanize all Korean people in common cause toward a shared future that realizes the historic aspiration for a unified Korea that benefits all its citizens and indeed the entire world.

The Global Peace Convention will be held in Seoul next March focused on achieving the original goals of the Independence movement and promoting the One Korea Global campaign. I invite you all to join us in Seoul next year and to support this global campaign. With all we share in common, I believe such mutual support will provide inspiration for an African-led movement of renewal.

To close, I’d like to share with you a thought – relevant then as it is now at this inflection point in history. It was in the midst of the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln declared “The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”

And so, this is true in our own time, in our own nations and in our global community – we need a new paradigm and a new, normative framework for peace and development to bring with it peace and development opportunities for our families, communities, nation and world. I believe that now is the time for the framework of One Family Under God, and that Uganda and other African nations can be the leaders that demonstrate the efficacy of such a vision and approach.

It is my hope that our discussions during this Global Peace Leadership Conference have been stimulating good ideas, and will forge new partnerships, that yield coordinated plans of action for ongoing positive impact. Our time together will conclude with the signing of the Kampala Peace Declaration that will lay out proposals for action to implement the action agenda agreed to here. The responsibility then lies with each of you to make it happen. I am confident that you, as proud Africans and moral and innovative leaders will take up the challenge to launch a transformation – an African renaissance – that will bring hope and prosperity to future generations.

Thank you and may God bless each of you and your precious families.

“If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.”
—African proverb

The following article is from Global Peace Foundation describing the importance of the vision of “One Family under God” and it’s practical application to areas of conflict specifically in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria where interfaith efforts have worked to steadily bring stability, cooperation, and safety to areas once stricken with violence.

Through the hard-won lessons of a post-conflict Southern Kaduna, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Nigeria has been working to look past conflict to imagine: what’s next? Because the premise for the One Family Under God Campaign had always been about a shared future, this development is a natural one as well as a welcome one.

Just as recently as early 2017, lives were shattered, crops were lost and children were unable to attend school in Kaninkon. Yet today, this same community is beginning to plan community programs and activities between those who once were in fierce and bitter conflict with one another. This, we see, is only possible when both parties were able to see for themselves the reality that they are part of One Family Under God.

Country Director, John Oko observed that “at the time of conflict, we are like firefighters; we’re looking to put out the fire and so we take water from whatever buckets we can find. We aren’t looking to ask questions as to what the water was being kept for; it is an emergency.” Yet, following the cessation of violent conflict, a ceasefire has taken hold and we can see that it is not enough to put out the fires. We need to think through what structures and practices are necessary to prevent future fires.

To this end, how can we transform the people, the culture, practices, and education of society on a mass scale? It is this question that has led GPF and local stakeholders across Kaduna state to begin to imagine the process of social transformation.

It starts with the clarity of a shared vision – the vision of One Family Under God. This simple vision calls on all of us to reach far beyond a society without violent conflict. It asks us to imagine, with our hearts full, of a world that that brings with it human flourishing, sustainable, creative development and breathtaking, even civilizational advances.

We are dreamers. But this vision is wrought out of the ashes of lost dreams, lost lives, and from the hopes to never have to have anyone else ever have to experience the same. Those who have experienced the horrors and effects of conflict are the ones who best understand the need for peace. The situation may still be considered a fragile peace, but GPF and local partners have displayed a strong commitment to unraveling the messy knots of conflict, working to build a shared future, together.

Peacebuilders like those in Nigeria must be mindful of the fact that the travails, lessons, and mistakes made along the way can also be made into contributions to our entire, global family. GPF is constantly sharing with and learning from partners and chapters around the world. It has taken time to get the necessary traction in all of these efforts, slowly culling from these important lessons and seeing new promise and possibilities. Most notably, these have all arisen out of relationships and partnerships that were once unthinkable!

And now, begin the hard, but joyful, part – the planting of the seeds of peace and the seeds of a shared community. We invite all of you to be a part of building and growing this – a world of One Family Under God, one community at a time.

What can you do to bring One Family Under God in your community?

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.