“Each [Global Peace Award] winner has demonstrated in their areas of expertise an uncommon passion for excellence and commitment to realizing a world of peace.”

Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon

The 2023 Global Peace Awards recipients were honored at an awards gala in Manila, the Philippines, on December 14. The Global Peace Awards underscore the importance of moral and innovative leadership, an ethic of public service, and a willingness to transcend boundaries of religion, ethnicity, culture, and nationality. The distinguished awardees are moral and innovative leaders who have dedicated their lives to peacebuilding and public service with a strong sense of integrity and a willingness to serve others under the vision expressed by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF): we are One Family Under God.

The following describes each of the nine award categories and honorees.

Legacy of Service and Peace–Honors distinguished persons whose lifelong achievements have created a legacy of service to others through their commitment to peacebuilding and taking responsibility to address difficult community and national challenges, inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.

Dr. Manu Chandaria is the Chairman and CEO of Comcraft Group, a business conglomerate that oversees operations in over 40 countries worldwide. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Chandaria practices a simplistic lifestyle and actively engages in service to humanity. He is well-known for his charitable work and global contributions to peacebuilding, including forming the Chandaria Foundation and funding healthcare, education, and environmental initiatives. Dr. Chandaria is also on the Board of GPF Kenya, where his guidance and support have been invaluable in creating character education initiatives, promoting entrepreneurial skills for youth, and establishing the Million Tree planting project.

Vinicio Cerezo is the former President of Guatemala and a visionary leader dedicated to peacebuilding who, since the inception of GPF, has worked to advance GPF’s goals in Latin America and beyond. As a GPF Global Leadership member, he has tirelessly dedicated himself to peacebuilding. President Cerezo is a founding member of the GPF-affiliated Latin American Presidential Mission—a collaborative effort involving more than 30 former Latin American presidents committed to regional integration, effective and transparent governance, and sustainable and equitable development. He founded the Esquipulas Foundation for Central America Integration in 2008 and was elected as the first-ever former president to serve as Secretary General of the Central American Integration System in 2017.

Interfaith and Spiritual Leadership—Honors a leader who recognizes the central importance of spiritual leadership as a moral compass and embraces interfaith collaboration to resolve conflicts, build peace, and create ethical societies based on universal principles and shared values that honor the value, dignity, and God-given rights of all humans.

Reverend Father Joseph Mutie is the National Chairman of the Interreligious Council of Kenya and the General Secretary of the Organization of African Institutional Churches—Kenya Chapter. Rev. Mutie has led the council in providing moral guidance to the nation using interfaith relations, shuttle diplomacy, and mediation. He champions peacebuilding through interfaith cooperation and unity, engaging and inspiring people from different religious, racial, and tribal backgrounds to partner to create a peaceful coexistence. Partnering with GPF Kenya, Rev. Mutie has supported interfaith outreach as a critical means to mitigate conflict in local and national elections and address important social issues. His belief in a ministry of presence and including spiritual values as a natural part of the peacebuilding process continues to set a positive example for future leaders.

Freedom of Conscience and Religion—Honors an outstanding leader who has championed the fundamental freedoms the Creator endowed to all human beings, especially the right of every person to follow their conscience and live according to their faith or beliefs.

Greg Scarlatoiu was born and raised in communist Romania, where he learned the fundamental importance of human rights and freedoms to peace and a developed society. While a university student in South Korea, he was exposed to the realities of the divided nation. Later, as a naturalized U.S. citizen, Mr. Scarlatoiu became the director of the Committee for Human Rights In North Korea in Washington, D.C., promoting human rights as the mainstay of North Korean policies. His organization uses extensive research to collect facts and reports on the plight of North Koreans. He teaches at Yonsei University, is a frequent guest speaker on various news channels worldwide, has testified before Congress on North Korea’s human rights issues, and is a strong GPF partner working towards achieving the goal of a free and unified Korea.

Strengthening Families—Honors an individual for their efforts in uplifting the family as the most important social institution and for effectively promoting committed marriages and a healthy environment for nurturing and building character in children.

Conchita “Ching” Chanyungco is a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and religious and civic activist. She relies on her experience raising a family and engaging in community service to chair and support numerous GPF and Global Peace Women initiatives to strengthen families and create flourishing communities. Mrs. Chanyungco currently serves as vice president of Global Peace Women in the Philippines and other key positions in women’s organizations such as Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., The National Council of Women of the Philippines, and President of the YWCA FFPI Marikina Chapter. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she is most proud of her family and their community service endeavors.

Outstanding Service—Honors an individual for exceptional efforts in promoting volunteerism and advancing a service culture, contributing substantial progress in youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, education, and other social impact areas.

Dr. Markandey Rai, chairman of GPF India, has dedicated his long and distinguished career to various capacities for the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT). Dr. Rai strongly advocates for GPF’s vision of One Family Under God and has spearheaded various peace forums worldwide, including the Global Peace Leadership Conferences and Civil 20 (C20) of the G20 in 2023. His leadership as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the India Council for International Cooperation and as a member of GPF’s Global Peace Council has been vital to advancing global peace and the cause of the Indian diaspora. Dr. Rai has served on the boards of many academic, cultural, and social bodies. He has also served in other significant peacebuilding roles and is the founding chairman of the Indo-Pacific Peace Forum and president of the Global Peace and Development Service Alliance president.

Philanthropy and Corporate Citizenship—Recognizes leadership that has demonstrated significant commitment to peacebuilding initiatives through funding and partnership engagement that strives to improve and enhance the quality of life for all.

Steven Tan is the president of SM Supermalls, whose leadership extends well beyond the retail sector to promoting social change and global peace. His commitment to SM Cares and GPF’s peacebuilding initiatives and proposals is evident in his unwavering support for the Global Youth Summit (GYS), where he has been the driving force behind this transformative platform since 2017. Since Mr. Tan’s involvement, GYS’s success has grown exponentially—586,500 engaged youth, 950 schools reached, and a remarkable presence in 62 countries. His staunch commitment to GYS has empowered the next generation of leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and service activities to enrich the lives of the global community. Mr. Tan’s legacy as an advocate for inclusion, women, and youth empowerment not only enriches lives but also sets a new standard for service and cooperation among public, private, and nonprofit enterprises.

Innovative Scholarship—Recognizes an individual whose research and issue advocacy at a policy institution or academia has advanced innovative solutions in building peace, social reconciliation, and human development.

Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt is Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute and Senior Advisor to the National Bureau of Asian Research. He is also a founding member of the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea and a member of the advisory council for the Korea Economic Institute. Dr. Eberstadt has authored several books on Korean affairs and holds multiple degrees from Harvard and the London School of Economics. His significant thought leadership and extensive political economy writings have provided valuable insight for addressing complex issues such as the divided Korean peninsula. His engagement with GPF and the Action for Korea United network of scholars and academics through the International Forum on One Korea has inspired much-needed international support and attention to the issue of Korean unification. His writings have underscored the plight of the North Korean people and the need for South Korea and its allies to remain vigilant in their effort to create a unified Korea.

Culture of Peace Award—Honors an individual whose significant work has helped to bridge social divisions, meet critical human needs, or promote a culture of peace through the arts, music, sports, and other creative endeavors.

Bum Hun Lee is an artist and ardent supporter of the Korean Dream Movement led by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon. His commitment to using art to achieve this dream is present throughout his artistic work and influential leadership. As President of the Korean Fine Arts Association, he curated a poignant 2018 exhibition featuring 80 masterpieces of Korean, Chinese, and North Korean artists, aligning with the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. This event emphasized global unity, transcending divisions on the Korean Peninsula. Further highlighting his visionary pursuit of unity, Chairman Lee’s dedicated effort continued in 2019 with the North-South Peace Art Exhibition at the Korea Art Festival and the North-South Art Exhibition at the National Assembly. In 2020, he became the 28th President of the Federation of Artistic and Cultural Organizations of Korea. Under his leadership, the Federation championed the Korean Dream 10 Million Campaign, rallying 1.3 million Korean artists to actively contribute to this transformative movement.

Moral and Innovative Leadership—Honors a person who exemplifies and promotes moral and innovative leadership through programs that build good character and cultivate creativity through experiential learning, public and private education, and civil society initiatives.

Dr. Margarita Consolacion C. Ballesteros is the Director of the External Partnerships Service (EPS) of the Philippines Department of Education (DepEd), where she supervises the department’s local and international partnership engagements. She is the senior director for partnerships with multinational and bilateral agencies, the private sector, local government units, national government agencies, and civil society organizations. Dr. Ballesteros has long advocated for youth empowerment, twenty-first-century skills, awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals, and civic consciousness as core competencies for today’s learners. This work has been closely tied with her many years of work with GPF in the areas of transformative education, moral and innovative leadership, and peacebuilding. Dr. Ballesteros has been a strong and proactive leader in GPF’s education-related activities, and her leadership and support have been critical for GPF Philippines’ work in raising the next generation of moral and innovative peacebuilders.

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.

“We need to forge a new global identity that can embrace and harmonize the positive elements of more localized identities. Such an identity must be rooted in the universal principles that all the great spiritual and ethical traditions share.” —Dr. Hyun Jin. Preston Moon (Global Peace Convention 2023, the Philippines)

Global Peace Foundation held the 2023 Global Peace Convention in the Philippines from November 1 to December 14 with the theme, “One Family under God: Vision for National Transformation and a Civilization of Peace.” In his keynote address, Dr. Moon spoke on the unifying framework shared by all the major faith traditions. Together and with an acceptance of shared values, humanity can forge a path to peace with public service and civic engagement.

2023 Global Peace Leadership Conference Indo Pacific

Keynote Address

Welcome & Greetings

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

It is my great honor to be with you here in India, the cradle of an ancient spiritual civilization in the heart of Asia.

I want to thank my good friend Dr. Markandey Rai, chairman of GPF India, as well as our convening partners, the Indian Council for International Cooperation, Manav Rachna University, and Yuvsatta Youth for Peace, for organizing this important convening. So, give them all a round of applause.

I am also pleased to acknowledge the many important Indian spiritual teachers as well as key leaders from around the Indo-Pacific region, including Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Africa. Please give them all a round of applause.

Your participation is very meaningful as this vast region will play a central role in determining the future direction of humanity and the prospects for peace and prosperity in this region.

State of the World Today

Ladies and gentlemen, the world is in crisis.

The rise of “Woke” politics is challenging the traditional Judeo-Christian values and classic liberal views of the West and its institutions from within. There is an alarming cacophony of conflicting ideas about society and the human condition, from the nature of the state to individual identity and gender relations. The result has been widespread political and social instability, uncertainty, and moral confusion.

The liberal ideals of western democracies rooted in individual freedoms and “inalienable” rights are being undermined for the sake of collective conformity with almost religious fervor. Although the end of the Cold War revealed the evils of socialism and communism, a new secular Marxist worldview is taking hold in the West, uprooting its values, norms, traditions and institutions.

This unfortunate reality is eroding the common ground upon which society can stand as both progressive and traditional sides become more polarized, creating an untenable situation. This “Woke” orthodoxy is not content just to undermine the traditional values upon which Western democracy stands, sowing discord within. It seeks to export its ideas to other cultures such as those of India, East Asia, and traditional African societies and twist their values into its own distorted image.

In the realm of geopolitics, we are witnessing the rise of assertive statist powers that are prepared to impose their will on their neighbors, reminiscent of the actions taken by totalitarian regimes of the last century that led to two World Wars and the Cold War. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a shock to most in the West that had become complacent about Putin’s ambition to restore the territorial influence of the former Soviet Union. Heading into the second year of the war, there seems to be no end in sight for the near term as Ukraine seeks to regain its lost territories and Russia fortifies its positions.

Here in Asia, China has made it clear that it is prepared to violate Taiwanese sovereignty, even by force, under its “One China” policy. That is why so many experts are concerned by the war in Ukraine since many believe that Chinese authorities are studying that conflict and its implications for their invasion of Taiwan. The US has preempted that concern by showing its commitment to the island’s defense through the well-publicized visit of the former Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year and the recent meeting with the current Speaker McCarthy and Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen.

The threat to Taiwan and China’s intent on controlling the South China Sea, the world’s most vibrant trade route, through the creation of military island bases has raised alarm among all its neighbors in the Pacific. These provocative moves have led the US and its allies to join in a variety of new organizations. The Quad treaty of the US, Australia, India and Japan, advanced by the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, was considered the “Asian NATO” in response to the rising threat of China. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity of 2022 represented fourteen regional nations with a combined economic output of 40% of the world’s GDP as a counter to China’s efforts to economically influence the region.

These developments and President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Russia and the Middle East are beginning to solidify the emerging lines between the free world and the world under Chinese influence.

The Rise of the Indo-Pacific and the Need for Guiding Spiritual Principles

Ladies and gentlemen, the tides of history are shifting from the Atlantic sphere to the Indo-Pacific. 

In this geopolitical environment, any nation that cherishes the ideals of fundamental freedom and human rights would clearly be wise to align with the US and its democratic allies. For the threat that China poses is the rise of totalitarian statist regimes that challenges the ideal of liberty. It is important to note that, although China has adopted some aspects of a market system, it never relinquished its one-party communist rule or the Maoist revolution; and it never embraced democracy nor the ideals of liberty that form the foundation of the free world.

Given this threat to liberty, the confusion being spread by the “Woke” Left in all western democracies is even more alarming. At no time in human history should the West be clearer about its core values and whence its freedom and rights derive. Many of the activists living in the West, however, take them for granted, failing to recognize the hard-won religious and philosophical milestones, rooted in the Judeo-Christian ethic, that gave birth to them.

The formation of the United States of America in 1776, through its Declaration of Independence from the British empire, planted the seeds of those ideals with its pregnant second sentence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The foundational premise in those immortal words is that human freedom and rights come from the transcendent power of God, our Creator, and not any human authority or institution; and that they are “unalienable.” In our current global circumstances, there is an urgent need to clarify and uplift that time-honored universal spiritual principle. It is important that we understand which ideas will lead to a peaceful, harmonious future and which will dissolve social bonds, leading to chaos and anarchy.

What is important to note is that all democracies are not truly free, as was the case in ancient Greece and even the Roman Empire; nor are they immune from the tyranny of mob-rule. Such spiritual principles provide the much-needed compass to navigate through rapidly changing norms and guide humanity toward God’s original ideal, which I believe, is rooted first and foremost in families centered on the original, creative love of God. We do not have to look far to find evidence of these universal principles. 

We can find them in the great faith traditions that have preserved, taught, and practiced those time-honored traditions that point to the innate value of human life and the proper order in human relationships, especially in the family, as well as to virtues by which to live. Throughout history, God has inspired the founding of various faith and wisdom traditions to elevate human consciousness and cultivate ethical civilizations. 

It should be people of faith who lead the world to peace. I believe the vision that can unite and inspire humanity to transcend all the walls of division is none other than “One Family under God.” All faiths should cooperate and adopt this vision to build a world free of conflict, reflecting the highest spiritual ideals, rooted in universal principles and values that reflect God’s truth, righteousness, goodness and love for all humanity.

Only then will we be able to harness the power of faith to transform the world and build true everlasting peace and harmony for all. We can no longer afford to proclaim that we are all “One Family” while continuing to live in our separate boxes.

The Non-Violence Paradigm and its Korean and Indian Roots 

Ladies and gentlemen, my homeland of Korea and India share a special relationship in history that will have important implications for this century.

There is a historic connection between our two countries that goes back two millennia. In the first century CE an Indian princess, known here I believe as Suriratna, sailed to Korea, married King Suro and became the queen known to us Koreans as Heo Hwang-ok. There are memorials to her in both our countries. That marriage alliance tied our ancient civilizations and made clear that there were significant connections between our two countries at that time and ever since.

In the last century, the Korean Sam Il independence movement, launched in 1919 while the Paris Peace Conference was being held after World War I, influenced Indian independence by introducing the platform of mass non-violent protest rooted in universal spiritual truths. Two million Koreans on the peninsula, ten percent of the population, engaged in peaceful protest over two months, making it the largest demonstration of non-violent resistance up until that time.

It was in 1920 that Ghandhi then formulated satyagraha or “truth force” that became the governing philosophy behind the Indian non-violence movement. In 1929, Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, a leading thought leader of Indian independence, met with Korean students in Japan and was deeply moved by the undying aspirations of the Korean people. He immortalized those aspirations in a famous quatrain called “Lamp in the East” describing Korea as one of the ancient sources of light in Asia, waiting to be relit “for the illumination of the East.”

The main impetus for independence movements in both Korea and India in the early 20th century relied on their own ancient spiritual traditions. In the case of Korea, it was motivated by Hongik Ingan that mandated the Korean people to “live for the benefit of all humanity;” and for India, it was vasudaiva kutumbakam that proclaimed that “The World is One Family.” As a result, both movements were not driven simply by resentment toward the colonial power. Certainly, they wanted to be free of foreign rule, but each had a greater vision of a peaceful and harmonious coexistence with their oppressors as well as their neighbors after independence.

Later, this approach became the inspiration for Martin Luther King Jr and the American Civil Rights movement. Dr. King applied the spiritual principle of non-violence to prick the conscience of a nation. He looked to America’s founding creed of equality to hold the nation to account for its moral failure in its treatment of black Americans. His historic “I Have a Dream” speech did not simply condemn the injustice but called all people to renew their commitment to those founding ideals.

Similarly, in South Africa, Nelson Mandela adopted the principles of non-violence rooted in universal truths while he was in prison for his attempt to violently overthrow the apartheid government. There in prison, he learned to forgive his oppressors and later worked with then President de Klerk, in the early 1990s upon his release, to dismantle the system of segregation. He became the first president of a multi-racial South Africa in 1994 and played a central role in reconciliation between the races, being globally recognized for his work and statesmanship. 

Due to our two countries’ important legacy in shaping the most significant movements for freedom, equality and human rights of the 20^th century, I believe that our destinies, those of Korea and India, are intertwined. We have an even greater role to play in this century, as the world stands on the precipice of war and chaos. Our unique spiritual heritage and history of non-violence place us in a unique position to champion peace in the Indo-Pacific region, here in the southern heart of Asia and the pan-Pacific rim to the east, and eventually the world. 

Let me share something else that our two nations have in common. Korea is a 5,000-year-old civilization. Yet, throughout our entire history, we never invaded any of our neighbors. We were attacked and invaded over 900 times throughout the course of our history, but we never attacked our neighbors. But, because of the spiritual principles of Hongik Ingan, we internalized that suffering to be able to love humanity because of the providential mandate in our founding to live for the benefit of mankind.  That is the power of spiritual principles, our unique spiritual heritage. Let us never forget that.

The Korean Dream and Launching of a New Era

Ladies and gentlemen, before we can open a new chapter in the story of this region, we must bring a close to the last vestige of the 20th century’s tragic legacies of colonialism and Cold War geopolitics that remain on the Korean peninsula.

It is deeply ironic that the nation which initiated the paradigm of non-violent mass protest rooted in universal truths remains divided to this day, unable to realize the aspirations of the Sam-Il movement from more than a century ago, when every other colonized people, as well as nations in the Soviet sphere of influence, were eventually able to achieve national sovereignty and unification. Thus, Korean reunification is of utmost importance in setting a new precedent for peace in Asia and the world.

I have developed a new vision for unification called the Korean Dream. Unlike past efforts, it draws upon the ancient Korean philosophical ideal of Hongik Ingan, which precedes the current ideological division by millennia, to tackle the present challenge. It was the impetus behind the high moral ideals of the independence movement and gave all Koreans a sense of providential purpose to create a model nation that could “benefit all mankind.” It challenges the divided peninsula to discard the foreign construct of division and recognize its common identity and destiny.

In order to do this, I plan on relaunching the paradigm of the Sam-Il movement to bring about unification. To that end, I have created Action for Korea United (AKU), a coalition of civil society activists, organizations, NGOs and associations that represents millions of South Koreans. To date, we have more than a thousand partners united in the largest grassroots movement for unification in the history of the two Koreas.

We plan to hold peace rallies in the South that will climax in 2025 with a massive event for unification that will highlight the 80th anniversary of Korean independence from Japanese rule. Dreamers are the ones who change the world. Imagine if tens of millions of Koreans on the peninsula and the diaspora as well as supporters from around the world gathered their collective voices to demand the peaceful unification of Korea. Surely, the metaphysical and physical wall that divides the peninsula will fall and a new era will dawn for the Korean people, the Indo-Pacific and the world.

I hope and trust that the spiritual and thought leaders here will recognize the moment and give your support for the Korean Dream. The rising prominence of India in this region is evidenced by its role in hosting the upcoming G-20 meeting, drawing upon the rich heritage of Indian spirituality to create the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”  It is also noteworthy that India is convening the “C-20” of civil society counterparts to G20, giving substance to spiritual principles and values by promoting the essential value of service and the ethos of one family.

This is highly significant because of the clear recognition that politics, economics, and technology alone are inadequate to resolve the many challenges facing the world today. These challenges arise, at root, from a clash of fundamental worldviews that can only be effectively addressed by drawing on deep and ancient spiritual traditions and the universal truths they embody.

What is most important is that we recognize the universal principles that are manifested in these traditions. We are all essentially connected in the one human family, and we are one family because of our shared origin in the Creator God. Our inherent value and fundamental rights are endowed to us by God.  To encapsulate these truths in a way that all can easily grasp, I have long advocated a simple yet profound vision statement – One Family under God.

A Call to Action and New Delhi Declaration

Today, young leaders, spiritual leaders, scholars, and others from civil societies across the Indo-Pacific region have taken ownership over the vision of One Family under God.

You have concluded important discussions on its implementation in areas related to youth, education, values-based peacebuilding, and the environment. I look forward to the New Delhi Declaration you are issuing today that will outline specific initiatives that will give substance to the noble theme of this GPLC Indo-Pacific.

Today, I am announcing that the Global Peace Foundation and its partners will establish the Indo-Pacific Leadership Forum to further implement this movement fostering one global family, guided by traditions and values shared across all the cultures gathered here.  I have asked Dr. Markandey Rai to organize and lead this initiative and invite your contributions from across the nations of the Indo-Pacific.

The Leadership Forum will work in this region in a similar way to the Latin American Presidential Mission that I founded. Through it, public-minded former presidents work for the benefit of Latin America through promoting peace, cooperation among countries and spiritual and material development of the people.

I hope that each one of you will become peacebuilders in your respective spheres of influence and join with us in the great movement for global peace.

Let us all commit to become the moral and innovative leaders who invest our passion, energy and talent to serve the greatest good -for the benefit of all humanity, that together, step by step, we can finally realize the greatest dream of all, the dream of One Family under God!

Thank you, and may God bless you and your families.

Community Based Development – Service For Peace (SFP) focuses its energy and resources on collaborating with community members in Communities of Peace in order to address significant development issues. In doing so, we adopt an approach that is often referred to as Community Based Development (CBD). It is very different to the idea of massive amounts of foreign aid being provided by developed nations. Poor and marginalized people have often been viewed as the target of poverty reduction efforts but the CBD approach turns this perception on its head and treats communities and their institutions as assets and partners in the search for solutions to their development challenges.

SFP believes that effective community development has to be community based. However, SFP provides ongoing assistance to Communities of Peace through a variety of local and international projects that address local issues as identified by community partners.

One of the most significant impacts of Service for Peace programs is that volunteers leave with a genuine understanding of the importance of discarding the traditional view of developing nation residents as victims. Volunteers are transformed by a number of things during Service for Peace programs, but repeatedly reflect that their interactions with community partners completely change their understanding of international aid, identity, and purpose.

The following is the full transcript of the speech delivered by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, chairman of the Global Peace Foundation at its annual convention, held at the Bourbon Conmebol Assunção Convention Hotel.

“A Roadmap for National Transformation: Liberty, Prosperity and Integrity through Moral and Innovative Leadership”

Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Dr. Hun Jin Moon at the Global Peace Convention 2014, “Roadmap for National Transformation.”

It is my great honor to welcome you to the Sixth Annual Global Peace Convention here in Asuncion, Paraguay. This Convention is bringing together leaders from more than 40 nations, and all sectors of society, including politicians and government officials, religious and business leaders, educators and civil society leaders, united by a common vision for peace and prosperity, and ready to work together to achieve it.

I want to give special thanks to our host H.E. President Horacio Cartes for his warm welcome to Paraguay. Could we express our thanks to him?

And I would also like to recognize the Vice-president of Paraguay, Juan Afara who is with us here today. Could we please offer a round of applause?

To President Juan Carlos Wasmosy, President Vincio Cerezo, President Luis Alberto Lacalle and the members of the Latin American Presidential Mission here today, could they please stand to be recognized?

We owe much of the success of this convention and GPF’s work in Paraguay to Senator Lilian Samaniego of our Global Leadership Council. May we thank her?

And of course we also want to thank our distinguished local host, the Mayor of Asuncion, Arnaldo Samaniego, for bringing us to this beautiful green and vibrant city known as the “mother of cities.”

We would also like to appreciate the many significant faith leaders with us today, including:

• My good friends Bishop Manoel Ferreira and Congressman Nelson Marquezelli of Brazil;
• Dr. Marsudi Syuhud, Secretary General of Nahdlatul Ulama of Indonesia; and
• Dr. Robert and Donna Schuller from the United States.

And a special thanks to all of the distinguished GPF Global Leadership Council members in attendance from throughout the world.

We are drawn together here inspired by the vision of One Family under God, and the hope, that as we find more ways to act upon it, we can heal the divisions that separate humanity and make peace a global reality.

(Left to right) Vice President of Paraguay, H.E. Juan Afara, President of Paraguay, H.E. Horacio Cartes, Founder of Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, National Senator of Paraguay, Hon. Lilian Samaniego.

The theme of this year’s convention is “Roadmap for National Transformation: Liberty, Prosperity and Integrity through Moral and Innovative Leadership.” This theme focuses on the type of change within nations that is needed to move towards world peace. It is particularly fitting for a convention held in Paraguay, which is part of the “Global South,” the world of emerging nations seeking to grow and find their place in the global economy and the community of nations.

This theme focuses on the type of change within nations that is needed to move towards world peace. It is particularly fitting for a convention held in Paraguay, which is part of the “Global South,” the world of emerging nations seeking to grow and find their place in the global economy and the community of nations.

When the Cold War ended, so too did the old world order based on ideological division. A new world order has yet to be established, and emerging nations will play an increasingly important role in shaping how it looks, for better or worse. With the Cold War geopolitical order gone, the world has experienced increasing fragmentation along tribal, ethnic, sectarian, and religious lines.

This has produced violent identity-based conflicts across the developing world, — in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia. Here in Latin America the legacy of Iberian feudalism still fuels social conflicts based on disparities of wealth and opportunity. The old struggle of communism and capitalism still endures at a social level in this region, producing opposing visions for the path to prosperity.

Many emerging nations today are experiencing significant economic growth and greater democratization. Yet they also face many challenges. In addition to the instability arising from identity-based conflict, there is inequitable development that fails to benefit the people as a whole, and government tainted by corruption. How these challenges are met will have great significance for global peace and prosperity. The nations of the southern hemisphere hold the key to the future.

In addition, most of the emerging world has large youth populations. This is in marked contrast to the developed world with its aging populations, low birthrates, and dissolving families. The energy of the young represents a great opportunity for the growing economies of the developing world.

Yet those energies need to be properly harnessed and that is the challenge. It calls for education both in productive skills and in moral and civic virtues. That, in turn, requires tackling poverty and its cultural impact. The negative behaviors that poverty produces undermine social stability and thus impede progress toward equitable and sustainable prosperity.

The energy of the young represents a great opportunity for the growing economies of the developing world. Yet those energies need to be properly harnessed and that is the challenge.

How to achieve prosperity without sacrificing traditional values is another major challenge for countries in the southern hemisphere. Observing the breakdown of families and its social impact in the so-called advanced nations, and in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008, many countries are looking for alternatives to the Western development model. They are looking for new models of national transformation that can stimulate economic development and material prosperity without having to compromise spiritual and moral traditions or their roots in strong family values.

If these countries successfully meet their challenges they will create the foundation for a peaceful new world order. That is why it is vitally important to understand what it takes to bring about national transformation.

This region has a tremendous opportunity to bring about a rebirth of Latin America. It is particularly encouraging to see so many former heads of state gathered here for the 2nd Summit of the Latin American Presidential Mission. They are dedicated to applying their experience to lift up their region.

To achieve this, Latin American society has to become more inclusive. Positive social transformation leads to political and legal change that then leads to sustainable economic development. In the feudal system that Latin America adapted from Spanish and Portuguese colonizers, a serf had no ownership, few rights, and, as a result, little opportunity or incentive.

Fourteen heads of state, the current president of Paraguay at the Second Summit of the Latin American Presidential Mission.

This was in contrast to the cultural traditions of North America that grew out of the English common law and encouraged independence, enterprise, and self-reliance among an ever-growing segment of society.

These differences grew out of fundamental principles and values that upheld human rights and freedoms and sought to extend them to all people. Basic liberties created social opportunity. Hard work was rewarded, enterprise encouraged, and an engaged citizenry expanded. Prosperity was the fruit of the resulting culture.

For much of its history Latin America has had oligarchic societies that excluded the majority of the population from prosperity, and political influence and engagement. Lacking these opportunities, opposition often took radical forms. Today, social disparity remains a challenge that the region has to meet.

To prosper, Latin America needs a broad, well-established middle class, engaged in the economic and political life of their countries. That requires good education and opportunity for all citizens. As these social issues are addressed, the political and legal framework can change, creating greater stability through the rule of law and the protection of property rights. At the root of these changes are the principles and values that uphold the rights and freedoms of every citizen and lead to the creation of a society where they can be exercised.

This opens the door to economic development and prosperity, particularly as it makes a country attractive for foreign investment. A country that leads the way in this process can become a hub nation for its region and a model for the world.

Peace and prosperity cannot be secured in this world without nations that exemplify integrity, good governance, and responsibility. Our host nation, Paraguay offers an instructive example of how national transformation can begin.

Peace and prosperity cannot be secured in this world without nations that exemplify integrity, good governance, and responsibility.

Since my first visit here in 2008, Paraguay has made great strides forward. Back then, the U.S. State Department was advising Americans not to travel to the country because of security concerns. Also, the Paraguayan government was planning to expropriate foreign owned private property. Yet at the same time, Paraguay’s leaders wanted the country to develop and become part of the global economy.

Paraguay could never prosper as part of the global economy if it did not respect the rule of law, and property rights as part of that rule. No foreign government or organization would invest in a country where their enterprise was not protected by the law. The president and other leaders at the time whom I spoke with, understood the force of this argument. They made a historic choice that set Paraguay on a path to becoming a well-functioning democracy.

Where might this path lead? My experience here convinces me of Paraguay’s great potential. With the right foundation of principles and values, Paraguay can become a prosperous and peaceful modern democracy that respects the rights and freedoms of its people, and promotes a successful free market economy that unleashes their creativity.

Such a transformed Paraguay, at the center of South America, can be like a womb for the rebirth of the region from which a genuine prosperity, and the principles and values that underpin it, can spread throughout Latin America, and across the developing world. I have shared this vision consistently with the leaders of Paraguay in government, business and civil society.

Over one thousand representatives of 40 countries around the world at the Global Peace Convention 2014.

In the past six years much has changed in this country as efforts have grown to move from vision to social transformation. I am proud to say that the Global Peace Foundation has been among those at the forefront of that endeavor. In 2010 we established IDPPS, a research institute, to develop a roadmap for the future of the nation. Its members are prominent and respected figures known for their integrity. They come from the ranks of government, business, the Central Bank, Supreme Court, and the military.

That same year GPF and the Institute held a conference in Asuncion for Paraguayan leaders from both the public and private sectors that attracted several former heads of state from the greater Latin American region. Their presence became the seed of the Latin American Presidential Mission, established at the Global Peace Convention in Atlanta in 2012.

The conference produced the “Asuncion Declaration,” a comprehensive statement of principles that affirmed the desire of Latin American leaders “to work beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic differences for the unity of Latin America.” That affirmation was reiterated by several of the former presidents the following year in the “Brasilia Declaration.”

The Declaration outlined the need to “revive the civic values and virtues that reflect the better spiritual, democratic, and plural traditions of humanity in this continent,” and to “promote education in ethical principles and universal values that can empower children and young adults to become better human beings and good citizens.”

These principles are being implemented through the work of the Institute and GPF’s national chapter here in Paraguay and by the Latin American Presidential Mission across the wider region.

The Institute has contributed to the creation of sound and consistent public policy based on mobilizing public and private partnerships, particularly through its work on a development model for the vast, poverty-stricken Chaco region. Meanwhile, GPF has been promoting greater social stability in the country through forums on the core principles essential for good governance and a wide range of social initiatives.

These include character education in the nation’s schools, launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Education; youth volunteerism; and an energetic and enterprising women’s division that does pioneering work to advance the role and dignity of women and affirm the fundamental importance of the family in transmitting values.

The Latin American Presidential Mission is working throughout the region to strengthen relations between North, Central and South America and the Caribbean as well as promoting a hemispheric spiritual awakening centered on the universal principles and values that uphold vibrant, well-functioning democracies. It is also promoting broad educational initiatives focused on moral and civic development and contributing ideas on issues such as trade and investment, income disparity, and how to combat organized crime.

In Alto Paraguay, GPF has been active since 2009 in the main town of Puerto Casado, providing basic assistance in health, education, and housing. Later GPF established sustainable projects including a fish farm, communal vegetable farm, and bakery to help the community support itself.. Last year, Marlene Ocampos, who had guided these projects as GPF social director in the state, ran for governor of Alto Paraguay.

Against expectations, and on the strength of her work for the people of the state, she won the election. As governor, she has continued to lead with the same spirit of service. The Institute has supported her work with its expertise, establishing efficient and transparent systems of government that help to root out corruption.

The example of Alto Paraguay is causing a stir in Paraguay today. There are entrenched special interests that are threatened by the changes underway there. But those with a greater vision see in it a model for other states to imitate. During my last visit here one governor asked me for GPF’s help to implement in his state what had been done in Alto Paraguay.

As fundamental principles are put into practice through political and social initiatives, the stability of the country grows, making it more attractive to international investors. Investment will allow Paraguay to build its infrastructure and become a hub nation for all of Latin America.

I foresee a future in which Paraguay becomes for Latin America what Singapore is for Southeast Asia or Dubai for the Middle East.

As the Latin American region experiences a rebirth it will naturally look west to build trade relations with Asian countries, as part of the emerging Asia-Pacific era. Even though Paraguay is a landlocked nation, it needs to be part of this process to become fully engaged in the global economy.

In this regard, I believe that Korea and Paraguay make natural partners, complementing one another. Korea is technologically advanced but resource poor. It also needs new markets. Paraguay is resource rich but can benefit from Korea’s experience of development to advance its own economy.

I foresee a future in which Paraguay becomes for Latin America what Singapore is for Southeast Asia or Dubai for the Middle East.

Last June I helped bring a group of infrastructure experts and bankers from Korea to meet Paraguayan officials and discuss development plans. A start has already been made. Korea’s Il Sung Construction company started work on a road project here last June. Hyundai has already established a factory here creating needed jobs while KOICA, Korea’s overseas development agency, has been active with feasibility studies for infrastructure projects.

I have spoken with some detail about what has been taking place in Paraguay. The reason is that Paraguay offers a model of how national transformation can come about. It shows the foundational importance of principles and values, and their translation into initiatives that promote social transformation, leading to greater political and social stability. This in turn opens the door for sustainable economic development. As a result it has global implications.

Fourteen former presidents, joined by the current president and vice-president of Paraguay, members of the think-tank IDPPS and the Global Peace Foundation.

If nations and regions are transformed in this way, the future peace of the world will be assured. The principles and values at the heart of this model uphold human rights and freedoms; encourage the enterprise and creativity that produce prosperity and a sense of worth; and promote the ideal of working for the greater good.

The Global Peace Foundation, in cooperation with partners such as yourselves, is working in fifteen nations across the world to lay the foundations for national and regional transformation. Interfaith leadership is crucial for resolving sectarian conflict and establishing a consensus of values. I want to recognize the work in Nigeria where Christian and Muslim leaders are working together in states like Kaduna to resolve sectarian tensions. They have launched a “One Family under God” grassroots movement to bring their Christian and Muslim followers together in peace.

The idea that all people are members of One Family under God lies at the heart of the principles and values of which I speak. This simple yet profound vision transcends every ethnic and sectarian divide. As such, it has the power to lift us from national transformation to regional transformation, upward to achieve global transformation and a peaceful world.

The idea that all people are members of One Family under God lies at the heart of the principles and values of which I speak. This simple yet profound vision transcends every ethnic and sectarian divide. As such, it has the power to lift us from national transformation to regional transformation, upward to achieve global transformation and a peaceful world.

The power of the vision to connect regions in innovative ways was demonstrated recently when a group of Nigerian religious leaders traveled to Northern Ireland to share their experiences with community leaders in Belfast working to bridge the Catholic-Protestant divide.

I also want to acknowledge the important work of our partner in Indonesia, Nadhlatul Ulama, a major Muslim civic organization working tirelessly to refute extremist distortions of Islam, and to promote tolerance among all people.

In Korea, my recently published book, “The Korean Dream,” articulates a vision for a united Korea based on the principles and values that have guided Korean history for millennia. It lays out a model for people to act on those principles through civic associations to unite their country. This appeal to root principles and values is paralleled here in the Americas by the call for a Great Hemispheric Awakening to revive the spiritual foundations of the nations of North and South America.

Our world today is gravely threatened by identity-based conflicts, driven by the divisions I have mentioned. Violence and chaos reign in many parts of the world. It is our responsibility, through initiatives such as these, to show that a brighter alternative is possible. The vision of One Family under God can be the antidote to such identity-based conflicts, if we are determined to make it a reality through our commitment and creativity.

That is why models of national transformation are needed throughout the world. I trust you will become owners of this vision; that you will be the moral and innovative leaders who will implement it, bringing social transformation to your communities, societies, and nations.

I urge you to join with me and with one another to rise above the barriers that have separated us throughout history and secure for future generations a world of peace and prosperity for all.

Thank you and may God bless you and your families.