Global Peace Foundation – Paraguay volunteers and the Paraguayan Army deliver supplies to flood victims in Alto-Paraguay

Volunteers from the Global Peace Foundation – Paraguay,  Lions Club, local schools and the Paraguayan Army held a daylong Artistic Marathon to collect supplies for flood-stricken regions in Alto Paraguay. The event featured 300 students from 11 different schools in the area. Throughout the day, volunteers approached locals and surrounding residents for donations of clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable items.

Alto Paraguay has experienced constant flooding since the beginning of the year. Thousands of people have lost their homes. Roads have been damaged and construction projects have been stalled. Many parts the already remote regions of Alto Paraguay have become inaccessible. Indigenous families, who make up the majority of the population in the most remote areas of Alto Paraguay,  have been particularly hard hit.  They have lacked basic supplies like clean water and food.

An Army truck that the Paraguayan Army donated for the particular service project, delivered the supplies to families in Remancito, Puerto Falcón, and Bo. Del Niño Asentamiento of Hayes Village. This was one of many relief efforts that Global Peace Foundation-Paraguay has been involved in.

When Dr. Moon established the Global Peace Foundation in 2009, he introduced service as a means to an end. Not merely as an activity or program.

• Service taps into human creativity and new partnerships.
• Service opens unexplored solutions to long-standing problems.
• Service transforms relationships
• Service builds a global ethic based on universal values like altruism.

The response from the volunteers of the day of service illustrates that service is not merely an activity, but a tool for transformation. During a ceremony that recognized their service, volunteers from the supply-drive expressed their commitment to serve again with the Global Peace Foundation. Another volunteer described how serving helped him feel connected to the families struggling to recover from the flooding. The initiative also forged meaningful relationships with organizations like the Paraguay Army, the Lions Club of Haiyan Village, and the local schools to support ongoing volunteer efforts.

Volunteers recognized for their service.

Their testimonies demonstrate that service is a tool for long-term development and peacebuilding.

For the original article visit: www.globalpeace.org

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Paraguay will host the 2014 Global Peace Convention.

The Global Peace Foundation and partners have been in Paraguay developing a model of nation-building based on principles and values since 2008. In 2010, former and current heads of state, business and civic leaders, academics and media specialists signed the Asuncion Declaration pledging to “revive the civic values and virtues that reflect the better spiritual, democratic, and plural traditions of humanity in this continent.”

Three years have passed and 2013, in many respects, was a pivotal year for Paraguay. In April, she successfully held peaceful elections and smoothly transitioned into the newly elected Cartes administration.  Later in the year, at the Global Peace Convention 2013 in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Paraguay was announced as the host of the 2014 Global Peace Convention.

These achievements were hard won through the efforts of unassuming champions working on the front-lines to bring transparency and ethics to Paraguay. Among them are Senator Lillian Samaniego, President of the Colorado Party and winner of the 2013 Global Peace Award for Good Governance, H.E. Juan Carlos Wasmosy, former President of Paraguay and founding member of the Latin American Presidential Mission, and newly elected Governor of Alto Paraguay, Marlene Ocampos.

Recently ABC Color interviewed Governor Ocampos on her approach to bringing good governance and economic development to the traditionally isolated and poverty-stricken region of Alto Paraguay. Below is the article posted by the Global Peace Foundation based on the original article in ABC Color, “Alto Paraguay Wants to Strip Itself of the Heavy Burden of Corruption”

Governor Ocampos presented at the Global Peace Business Forum prior to the Global Peace Convention 2013.

Alto Paraguay is the poorest, most isolated state in Paraguay.  Its history is littered with corruption, written by an elite class who has shown little to no concern for its citizens.

The citizens of Alto Paraguay are ready to leave behind the heavy burdens of decades of tainted government. Leaders like the recently elected governor of Alto Paraguay, Marlene Ocampos, the only female governor of Paraguay, are ready to change Alto Paraguay. Through her firm commitment to transparency and morality, Ocampos is stimulating development in the isolated state of Alto Paraguay.

With a population of only 17 thousand people, one wonders about the region’s lack of growth and population. Part of the issue is a lack of infrastructure which keeps the region secluded from the rest of Paraguay. A lack of fiscal responsibility has limited funds that would go towards providing proper services like health care, sanitation, environmental conservation and education.

Most of the 2013 fiscal budget was allotted to the public works sector, but progress has been slow and difficult. With little follow-up and no company accountability, projects were being funded with no results.  Governor Ocampos is working to curb this fiscal abuse by changing the policy to pay only upon project completion.

She said, “The first thing I did was to get together with the construction companies and made it clear that we are not going to pay anything for unfinished work. They thought it was a joke, until they realized their checks were not going to be issued until they finish the bridges.” According to Ocampos, this small change has proven to be significant. “Now the bridges have started to appear.”

Ocampos is working in partnership with the citizens of Alto Paraguay to build a culture of ethics, innovation and ownership.  By involving the local communities in managing development projects, Governor Ocampos believes that public funds will be used in a way that best serve her constituency. “If they take on the projects as their own, they will control them and the money is destined for better use,” she says. She also believes that by involving the local communities, employment opportunities will increase and accountability and social responsibility

Alto Paraguay has a rich biodiversity ranging from the Pantanal to the Chaco. (Photo courtesy of ABC Color)

Although infrastructure isn’t the only problem for Alto Paraguay, it is believed to be a crucial starting point for development. Transportation and information infrastructure will create connections with the rest of Paraguay. The asphalted path of Carmelo Peralta-Loma Plata is an opportunity for Alto Paraguay and is a project that has called the attention of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC).

This type of development will enable Alto Paraguay to grow economically and strengthened its social fabric.  With the proper tools, Alto Paraguay hopes to overcome its legacy where a small privileged class wielded and maintain most of the power. Access to information and opportunities will allow for better informed and more responsible decisions that will improve the government, economy, and environment.

While there is still much progress to be made and many issues to be addressed, Marlene Ocampos is committed to developing a brighter future for Alto Paraguay.  As a female leader, she brings a unique perspective and approach to her term in office. Ocampos  is openly critical of the culture of corruption that has been detrimental to the people of the region.  After her first 4 months in office she said, “Corruption is the root of all our ills.”

Cooperation is key in Gov. Marlene Ocampos’ efforts to bring about sustainable development and cultural transformation.  While an asphalted path can change the history of Alto Paraguay, the asphalt is not enough to change the habits in the politics class.

What drives Ocampos in her day-to-day efforts is her connection to her fellow citizens.  She has made a covenant with her family of Alto Paraguay. She said,”I have a pledge with the community, I live here. And I won’t fail. Maybe I lack experience, but I have plenty of honesty. We are working hard now seeking to achieve our goals.”

New policies enforcing fiscal responsibility and community involvement is securing infrastructure in Alto Paraguay.

Seeking to achieve goals

Since her time in office, roads and other basic infrastructure have materialized. More importantly relationships of trust and cooperation are being established within Alto Paraguay and with the rest of Paraguay.

The road ahead remains long and challenging, but with a committed and honest leader, the future for Alto Paraguay looks promising to say the least.

This article originally appeared on www.globalpeace.org

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Dr. Moon receives honorary citizenship from Mayor Samaniego of Asuncion, Paraguay. (photo credit: NewsIs)

Korean news outlet, NewsIs reported Dr. Moon receiving the honor of  “distinguished visitor” from the Mayor of Asuncion for the work of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) in Paraguay on June 11,2013.

At the international conference on “Governance, Ethics and Development” Dr. Moon said, “Ever since I first visited this nation, I have always believed that Paraguay, given its geographic centrality as well as its unique historic and cultural roots, could and would be the metaphoric “womb” of a rebirth of Latin America.”

GPF began assertively investing in Paraguay in 2008. That year, Dr. Moon organized a cattle drive for peace that took him and a number of rising leaders of Paraguay across the Chaco region. He recalls, “I saw the greatness of the Paraguayan people and the bright future for this nation if it was encouraged to dream big, to think big and to act big.” Shortly after, GPF held the first Global Peace Festival in Paraguay.

Since then, GPF has built partnerships and initiatives for the development and stability of Paraguay.

In Alto Paraguay, abandoned fish ponds have been revived to provide fish and livelihood for the nearby villages. Universities and the local government have worked with GPF to create an organic community farm.  The villagers collectively support it and in return they have fresh vegetables to add to their diet.

GPF has supported the think-tank, IDPPS, to promote democratic values, transparency and good governance in Paraguay as well as the rest of Latin

GPF partnerships and initiatives in Paraguay (top right to bottom left): “Living for the Sake of Others” awards, Latin American Presidential Mission, IDPPS, organic community farm, social service projects

America. An outcome of its work has been the formation of the Latin American Mission, supported by 19 former presidents who have committed to strengthening North-South American relations and sparking a hemispheric awakening.

One of the key areas of focus for the Latin American Presidential Mission is business. A delegation of Korean businessmen attended the international conference on “Governance, Ethics and Development” and are scheduled to go on a fact-finding tour to explore trade and investment opportunities.

For the youth who are the future of Paraguay, GPF has worked with the Department of Education and other partners to implement character education programs and social service projects such as cleaning parks and painting schools.

Through the annual “Living for the Sake of Others” awards, self-respect classes and various social service programs, the women’s division of GPF works for the advancement of women.

Dr. Moon told the attendees of the conference, “Now is Paraguay’s time to shine.”

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GPF has partnered with the local government to launch an organic farm in Alto Paraguay.

I see the Chaco region as a place of untapped natural and human potential. I am confident that in the near future we will see it generate significant models and precedents that will contribute to the development of the rest of Paraguay and Latin America.

Alto Paraguay is one of three departments, or states, that make up Paraguay’s Chaco region. This department has struggled to keep up with the rest of Paraguay due to political corruption and inconsistent policies and programs. As a result it has remained underdeveloped, with little infrastructure and investment. Yet, from the people that I met during my recent visit there, I know that though they currently lack resources, they have an abundance of heart and character.

There are two projects that I visited in Puerto Casado, the largest town in Alto Paraguay, that have strengthened this conviction. The Global Peace Festival Foundation (GPFF) is partnering with residents, local government and organizations to rehabilitate a major fish farm and develop an organic community farm.

Due to land seizures, the fish ponds were neglected for many years. Our project brought together local residents to begin clearing and restoring the ponds. Universities in Asuncion have provided know-how and expertise for the success and sustainability of the project. Slowly the fish farm has been revived pond by pond. The fish are a low-fat, omega-3 rich source of protein for the local residents. The fish farm has developed into an industry that provides jobs and hope for the local residents.

The organic farm was started by GPFF, with a grant of from the government of Alto Paraguay.  It began as a community garden to experiment the soil’s arability. The project revealed that the soil is rich and can support a variety of plants. The current list of crops at the farm includes: tomatoes, lettuce, onions, basil, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, green onions, green peppers, parsley, cucumbers and medicinal herbs.

Traditionally, the residents in this region of the Chaco are not farmers. Thus, they were not familiar with land cultivation practices, and their diet did not included fresh vegetables. Related to this, heart disease and poor dental health are major health issues. In the beginning some of the residents were hesitant to try our produce. For many of them it was the first time they had access to fresh vegetables. The produce has changed their diet significantly.

The garden is supported by the townspeople who contribute towards the costs of running the farm in exchange for a weekly bag of seasonal vegetables. The next stage is to develop the commercial aspect of the operation so that it can sustain itself.

These community-driven projects not only provide food and a livelihood, they are building the confidence and dignity of the residents of Puerto Casado. They are able to work the land and ponds to provide for their families. What is more, these projects are building partnerships with universities, the government and the people to develop a long term vision and plan for development.

In the late 90s, my Father came to Paraguay and spent months fishing the rivers and living together with the local residents. It was his way of investing himself in the land and people. This is how he set the foundation for the future growth and prosperity of the region. He planted his heart and dream into the rivers and soil.

In 2008, he asked that I come to Paraguay. He told me, “Paraguay is the womb of Latin America.”  I know that a part of him still beats in this land. His dream of peace for the people that he connected with in the small villages remains alive. During my visit to Puerto Casado, I saw that the seeds he planted are now bearing fruit.

I am committed to their continued cultivation as we work to realize the dream of One Family Under God in this part of the world.

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