When lecturing on “What is a Nation”, French scholar, Ernest Renan, suggested that building a nation required acceptance of the past and choosing new realities for a shared future. He explains:

A nation is therefore a large-scale solidarity, constituted by the feeling of the sacrifices that one has made in the past and of those that one is prepared to make in the future. It presupposes a past; it is summarized, however, in the present by a tangible fact, namely, consent, the clearly expressed desire to continue a common life.

And yet what we see today is a rejection of this “desire to continue a common life” in the rise of subnational, identity-based and even transnational conflicts. Many point to specific political, economic, or religious factors as the cause, but consistently deepening divisions suggest that at the heart of these conflicts is a failure to see a common destiny.

Painting by John Trumbull of the five men drafting committee of the Declaration of Independence presenting their work to the Congress.

When we see others as enemies and fail to recognize the human dignity and rights of others, we tread on dangerous ground. Throughout history and repeatedly today, we see time and again that humans do terrible, inhumane things to each other when we exclude some as being unworthy of basic moral considerations. There are simply too many instances of this in the news today. Fortunately, history has also shown us that it is possible to bridge perceived divisions in order to create new possibilities for peace and shared prosperity.

The founding of the United States was based on the belief of a moral imperative to live and organize according to the “laws of nature and of nature’s God”. This recognition of spiritual principles became then the basis for essential spiritual values and subsequently, rights, to all people. Although the time of the founding of the United States permitted slavery within its territories, the founding documents of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, taken together, laid the ideological basis to eventually extend these rights to every person.

Indonesians celebrating their country’s independence (photo credit: British Pathe)

Similarly, we find that at a crossroad in its history, modern Indonesia made the conscious choice to establish a modern state based upon its spiritual values. Although Indonesia was and still is predominantly a Muslim country, it chose to enshrine universal principles at the core of its democracy out of respect for the diverse spiritual practices of its population. It is out of this freedom to practice in accordance with one’s conscience that has given rise to two of the largest Muslim civil society organizations in the world, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.

Despite the geographic, cultural, religious, linguistic and many other differences in between, these two countries at opposite ends of the globe pursued very similar courses in placing universal principles and shared values as the basis of more inclusive societies. While each has struggled to maintain a hold of these principles and values, the vision and aspirations contained in the founding ideals continue to guide each nation towards greater equality, unity and prosperity for all.

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The International Young Leaders Assembly (IYLA) begins today in New York City. The Assembly will travel to significant institutions of peace and development in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

In New York, the Permanent Mission to the Republic of Paraguay will host the International Young Leaders Assembly at the United Nations. During the assembly, young leaders will examine the roots of conflict. As the next generation, they will consider the necessity of forging new paths to peace and development that incorporate the spiritual dimensions of humanity.

On their journey down to the U.S. Capital, they will pass through Philadelphia, the birthplace of the United States. It will be a unique opportunity to contemplate the significance of the U.S. Founding Fathers’ promise and its implications on the modern notion of human rights and governance.

In 1776, 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence affirmed “all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights.” Today Independence Hall preserves this story as a national park.

The men and women, who were part of the independence effort, understood the historic significance of what they were undertaking. They were separating themselves from the greatest empire of the time to set out on an experiment to prove that humanity was capable of self-rule based, not on force, but on conscience and self-evident truths.

The final stop of the IYLA will be the capital of the United States of America, Washington D.C. At the World Bank, they will explore forms of moral and innovative leadership, particularly global youth service and entrepreneurship. At Capitol Hill, they will address the issue of U.S.-China relations, and discuss how they can carry on the visionary leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in lieu of the 50th anniversary of his “I have a dream speech.”

The program will end on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the commemoration the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s stirring oratory. The speech sparked a spiritual movement that reminded the world of the promise of the Declaration of Independence that all men are the created equal, and should be treated with dignity befitting the sons and daughters of God.

This program is an opportunity for these young leaders to consider the shared vision and aspiration that has driven the great men and women of history, and learn from the examples of moral and innovative leadership.

As these young leaders pursue their career and studies, may they remember that the greatest contribution is not of money, power or fame, but of bringing humanity one step closer to its age-old dream of peace.

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Dr. Hyun Jin Moon participates with former PM Raila Odinga in a project to revitalize the Nairobi Dam in Kenya.

The world commemorates Mandela Day on July 18th with 67 minutes of service. Global Peace Foundation’s African Peace Service Corps partnered  with the South African High Commissioner and the United Nations Environmental Program to launch a massive tree planting initiative with 67 trees, one for each year of Mandela’s years in prison.

Service is becoming the way to commemorate the lives and values of notable heroes of our time. But why service?

In his speech at the 2011 international IAVE conference, Dr. Moon said, “I believe that service will play a pivotal role in changing the global ethic.”  Perhaps this is why service. The world is realizing what notable change makers have already –  the timeless principle of living for others is the remedy for the conflicts and ailments of society.

In the United States, Richard Stengel wrote an article in Time Magazine entitled, “Service is the Silver Bullet” where he makes the case for national service as the perfect solution to healing a divided nation and addressing daunting national issues like education, unemployment, childhood hunger and conservation.

E.J. Dionne Jr. points out in his op-ed that that the well-known line of the Declaration of Independence: “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,” is only made possible by the final line, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.” Service, he argues, is part of the United States’ DNA, and essential to the preservation of the nation.
The same holds true to the global community. At the recent National Conference on Volunteerism and Service, GPYC-USA President, Kenshu Aoki said, “Service is about going out of your comfort zone.  As you work together for a common cause to improve the lives of others, you come to realize that human beings are truly meant to help one another.

“I believe that service will play a pivotal role in changing the global ethic.”  Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, IAVE Conference 2011

Service is more than just serving:

1. First, service is a deeply personal and spiritual act that connects individuals to the highest and noblest qualities of humanity.  It is a transformation tool for leadership and character development.
2. Second, service unleashes human creativity as people own the problems facing their communities and collaborate to find solutions. It places change in the hands of every man and women who possesses the desire to serve the greater humanity.
3. And third, service is a universal value that can bring understanding and peace among dissonant religious, racial, national and even political factions.

To this end, the Global Peace Foundation has wielded service as a major tool in the pursuit of the vision of One Family under God. It has promoted social entrepreneurship and community driven development initiatives that are owned by local partners and has fostered a culture of service, particularly with youth, to develop creativity and character in the leaders of tomorrow.

Everyday can be a transformational moment in history if every day is lived in service to humanity.

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Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Global Peace Foundation International Chairman and UCI Group President, was interviewed last month during his visit to Seoul. He did not hesitate to answer any question and spoke eloquently. In high school he was a top football player and was a member of the Korean national equestrian team during the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games and 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.Photo Courtesy of DongA Daily: by Hyuk Joon Choi, sajinman@donga.com

In early June, DongA, a top Korean daily newspaper, published a feature story of Dr. Moon, chairman and founder of the Global Peace Foundation. The article focuses on Dr. Moon’s approach to North and South Korean relations. It also tries to explore the roots of his convictions: his thoughts on the Declaration of Independence and the ancient Korean philosophy of Hong Ik Ingan as a foundation for unity between the two Koreas, his approach to business and spirituality, and his relationship to his father.

Below is an excerpt from the article by Moon Myung Heo,  angelhuh@donga.com

Dr. Moon is a big and tall man. He said, “My Korean is not that good, and English is better for me,” so a GPF official translated for him.

He said, “I want to instill in Koreans an interest in reunification. The global circumstances regarding the Korean peninsula are changing.  Many Korea experts in the U.S. used to view North and South Korea as a two-state regime, but now they see that the reunification of North and South Korea is favorable for world peace.”

With ‘North Korea’s nuclear trouble’ neighboring countries are showing interest in the reunification of North and South Korea

 ―Do major powers like the U.S. and China genuinely want the reunification of the Korean peninsula?

“First of all, it is important to understand that the U.S. never imposed diplomatic policies on the Korean peninsula. The U.S. has always followed South Korea’s lead. The Chinese are reasonable people.  The Western World has a short history relative to China that boasts a 5,000 year history.. These are issues of trust with Japan. Thus, it seems China can have better relations with Korea than with Japan or the U.S.”

 ―What could possibly be the reason for the change in the global situation?

“It is because of the North Korean nuclear program. The global community has realized that the reunification of North and South Korea is the way to deal with the nuclear issue and bring stability to the Korean peninsula. You know that North Korea supports the nuclear program in Iran. North Korea’s nuclear program is closely related to western society’s war on terror. Northeast Asia is one of the most volatile regions in the world, and crucial for the security of the global economy. If a conflict breaks out in this region, it is highly likely that it will spread to the entire world. Global security in the 21st century begins with security in Northeast Asia. At this pivotal juncture, Koreans must seriously think about their own fate.”

 ― They are giving a serious thought to it.

“I do not think so. The conservatives and liberals within Korea warned me ‘Korean people are not interested in reunification,’ particularly youth.  Some suggested that I should instead deal with welfare issues since they are more interested in that topic than reunification.”

―At this point, he mentioned that ‘Mongolia’ is a key nation.

“The Six-Party Talks create a 3-on-3 situation, which always brings trouble. I suggest that Mongolia be included as the 7th member nation. Mongolia is on good terms with China and Russia. They used to belong to the Soviet bloc, but successfully transitioned from a communist to democratic nation without bloodshed. They have embassies in North and South Korea respectively. Historically one of Genghis Khan’s favorite wives who accompanied him during his conquests was the princess from Korea.”

Hongik-ingan and U.S. founding philosophy are interconnected

 ―To achieve reunification, North Korea has to change.

“You can think of North Korea’s situation as a cup half full or half empty. One of the problems of politics is that it pursues only short-term policies. Korea’s Sunshine Policy brought positive results but also created problems. It was unable to create a national vision that went beyond regimes. They had provide a vision that inspired the leader of North Korea. The biggest error in South Korea’s North Korea policy is that it has been Korea-centric.”

 ― At this point, I want to ask you a basic question. Why should Korea be reunified?

“Koreans have a destiny that begins at the founding of the nation. When I studied history in college, I was highly impressed by the 5,000-year history of Korea. The Korean founding mythology of Dangun and the philosophy of Hongik-ingan assert that Koreans are endowed by Heaven with responsibility to live for humanity. What is essential in leadership is moral authority. It is a great blessing that Koreans are given a national mission to live for humanity; and it is a position that holds incredible moral authority.”

I was very surprised that a Columbia graduate who spoke fluent English, dressed in a smart suit was talking to me about the ‘Dangun Mythology’ ‘Hongik-ingan.’ He continued.

“The U.S. rose to global power because the nation was founded upon fundamental principles of human rights and freedom described in the Declaration of Independence. But the Korean people were already advocating  principles and values that are essentially connected to the concepts of modern human rights and fundamental freedoms 5,000 years before. If we examine the spiritual heritage of the Hongik-ingan philosophy, we might discover a DNA that can resolve religious conflicts that have escalated into a global war on terror.”

When I asked again, “So are the benefits if Korea is reunified,” he  said what you might expect from a Harvard MBA graduate, words like ‘innovation’ and ‘creation’.

“In terms of investment and its consumer market, South Korea is already saturated. North and South Korea speak a same language, share the same culture, history and identity.  From a business perspective, it is a great asset that a developing country is located just to the north (post reunification). Korea can become a top 5 nation. Apple stocks are in decline in the U.S. The new Smart Phone is Samsung’s. Koreans strive for excellence and are very self-reliant. Japanese like to go in groups, but Koreans want to be the master, taking charge. Thus they are well suited for entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. If a strong concept like national destiny can be infused into them, they will be able to seize the opportunities which are made possible through reunification and the position of leadership which Koreans can acquire.”

 ―  Are you a man of religion?

“If I talk about spiritual principles and values, people think I am evangelizing, but that is not it (Laughs). Most people think that a man of religion or a man of faith can only be active within the boundaries of faith, but that is not true.  Major reforms in every society throughout human history were sparked by a vision and principles that impressed people. These are spiritual values. North Korea’s Juche Idea is more like a religion than a philosophy. Religious leaders nowadays want to advocate their own faith and belief exclusively.”

 ― Are you saying you want to create a new religion?

“No. I have no such intention.”

 ― You are also a business man, but is it possible to make money based on spirituality?

“Business activities generate value through profits. Spiritual activities enrich our lives and add a meaning and purpose to our lives. Sometimes these two areas overlap each other, but based on my experience, it is more beneficial that they have their own purpose.”

 ― How can you maintain these separate purposes and be successful at the same time?

“I believe the biggest value can be created through moral and innovative leadership.”

 His answer was not concrete, but rather abstract and puzzling. I felt a sense of genuineness in his expression and his voice, yet he also seemed to impress upon me that he would only show me what he wanted to show…

“The Unification Church’s internal conflict stemmed from dissenting views regarding its future direction”

I tried to change the topic to Unification Church. I wanted to talk about succession controversy, but he firmly rejected the subject. I asked in writing ‘why do you refuse to talk about Unification Church’s internal strife including lawsuit among siblings.’ The following is his reply.

“The so-called conflict within the Unification Movement is rooted in contending views on the purpose and direction of the movement.  My siblings were unfortunate pawns set up to fulfill the nefarious purposes of some bad leaders. As a man of faith, I believe these conflicts will be resolved in due time.”

 ― What was your father like?

“Just like the title of his autobiography, he was a ‘Peace-loving global citizen.’ As a deeply patriotic Korean, he recognized that Korean people have a special role to play in God’s providence for the sake of all humanity. His work went beyond denominational and religious interests, spanning politics, business, NGOs, academia, culture, arts, sports and media. He always told me that he was willing to sacrifice the Unification Church for the sake of Korean Unification and world peace.  Now that my father has passed, I hope that he can be understood correctly without the biases and misunderstanding that surrounded his incredible and momentous life.”

For the full article in Korean visit: http://news.donga.com/3/all/20130610/55743310/1

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Transcription : Hyun Jin Moon Speech

2013 June 14| Inter-religious Forum, Asuncion, Paraguay

The Global Peace Foundation-Paraguay and the Ministry of Culture and Education of Paraguay co-sponsored an inter-religious gathering on June 14th, where Dr. Moon delivered the following address, stressing the need for religious leaders to work together centered on common universal principles like living for the sake of others.

Honorable Minister of Education, distinguished religious leaders, ladies and gentlemen. It is a distinct honor and great pleasure to be here in this beautiful land of Paraguay, which I consider my second home, here in the middle of the Americas.

Why is it that I see such hope in this small nation in Latin America? In 2008, I came to Paraguay, a nation I had never visited before, at the urging of my father, because the government of Paraguay was about to expropriate land that we had bought in Puerto Casado.

Also, our movement was under severe persecution, so actually my introduction to Paraguay was not a rosy one, but was on the foundation of great difficulty. When I first came here I met with then President Nicanor Duarte. We had a one and a half hour meeting, and I said to him that the most important thing for any truly great and free democratic nation is that it is rooted in principles and values— not just any principles and values, but spiritual principles and values.

I said that in the modern era, for the first time in human history, we take for granted concepts such as fundamental freedoms, fundamental human rights. This is because in this hemisphere a nation chose to challenge a world that was filled with monarchies and  absolute rulers.

As human beings, we are not given our freedoms and rights by any government institution or by any other human being. Those rights are conferred by God. And those rights are inalienable. We know that the document that affirmed those rights was the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. The Declaration became an inspiration for a revolution  whose ideas have since advanced throughout the world—that human beings are sons and daughters of God, with innate human dignity, innate human rights, innate dreams, not conferred by any government institution.

The Declaration of Independence goes on to say that the purpose of government is to protect those rights, and that if government infringes on those rights, it is a right of the people to get rid of the government and establish another that protects them. Thus, In North America, we have a democratic, free-market nation that respects the rule of law and recognizes the importance of those principles. The southern hemisphere, however, has had a very different experience. Although you have had independence movements which sought to develop regional states and laws very much like North America, many of those independence movements fell apart. The nations that were ultimately established were reflections of old Iberian peninsula traditional cultural patterns.

Therefore, democracy and the free-market system here in Latin America were not as inclusive as democracy and free-markets in North America. I am not here to talk about the development of democracy, but I do want to make the point very clearly  that in order to build a great nation, it starts with spiritual principles, and recognition of where those spiritual principles come from.

What truly moved me when I came to Paraguay was that the mention of God, even in the civic square, was not something unusual or something one should be ashamed of. It was expected! If you do not mention God, if your faith is not projected in the civic square, you are considered strange. Unfortunately in North America, as well as other developed nations of the world, faith, especially the recognition and mention of God in the civic square, is less and less prevalent and even considered unusual. This nation, however, has not forgotten or abandoned God.

This is a nation that is not ashamed to recognize the centrality of God in daily life, nor the importance of spiritual principles and values that animate and articulate the life of its citizens. This is a nation that is proud of its heritage, but more importantly, proud of its faith. That faith is making a positive contribution in communities, in the nation, and eventually will do so in the world.

When I came here and met the Paraguayan people, I realized how special this nation is. I saw that it was a nation of faith and true to its commitment to God. I thought that when connected to the great opportunities of the world, Paraguay, once called the “Basket Case” of Latin America, could be a “city on a hill” and a beacon of hope for all people of faith around the world. This can be the beginning of a revolution.

That is why it was a simple decision for me to make in 2008, a landmark year for the Global Peace Foundation. We had festivals in 24 nations, on six continents around the globe. Yet, it was not difficult for me to decide that the first festival should be here in Paraguay! The message and vision that I articulated then was the vision of Uno Familia bajo Dios!

That revolution of spirit started here, in Asuncion, Paraguay. Yet, I believe that today’s event is actually the most important. Because I’m not talking to business leaders. I’m not talking to political leaders. I’m not talking to civic leaders. I’m talking to religious leaders, who should be the conscience of the nation. Faith leaders need to demonstrate the moral authority that can remind citizens of this nation’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage and encourage people to remain faithful in attendance to God. It is through Him that the nation of Paraguay can fulfill its national destiny.

I have always believed that this nation is the womb of Latin America. As the movement for the liberation of this continent started here in Paraguay, so the voice of liberation, the voice of a great spiritual awakening, should start here in Paraguay and spread throughout the entire hemisphere. This is your charge; this is your mission. This should be your life’s devotion.

As people of faith, let us come together on the common platform of universal principles and values, and on a common vision to build one family under God. Then we can celebrate our differences and diversity, but at the same time, in purpose and in principles and values, stand in solidarity and build an exemplary nation that can help reform this continent and hemisphere.

As people of faith, we all believe in true love, living for the sake of others. This should be our common value, to live for the sake of each other and for the sake of our communities, for the sake of our nations, for the sake of this hemisphere, and for the sake of the world.

This is a special moment, yet, for this nation to be guided properly to its special destiny within the providence of God, it needs leaders. More than political leaders, more than civic leaders, more than business leaders this nation needs spiritual leaders. It needs leaders of faith who can remind the Paraguayan people that, regardless of whatever heights this nation reaches, we are a people who believe in God and the destiny of this nation is to be the womb of the continent and to give birth to a new Great Awakening.

Based upon the vision of One Family under God, and rooted in spiritual principles and values of living for the sake of others, Paraguay can move this entire hemisphere. And that hemispheric Awakening then should extend across the Pacific and the Atlantic, spreading the vision, planting seeds of hope and faith. It was said by a great man that if one person has a dream, that dream is fleeting. But if a 1,000 people dream that dream, it can change the world. This is a time, my Paraguayan brothers and sisters, that through you and your leadership, the seeds of the dream can be planted that can transform this nation, this continent, this hemisphere, and the world. And that dream is Uno Familia Bajos Dios.

I know that whatever blessings God gives this nation, this nation will be in good hands, in the hands of people of faith and conviction and with the quality of heart and mind to embrace not only Paraguayan people but all Latin America, the entire hemisphere, and the world. Thank you very much.

The post Dr. Hyun Jin Moon at the Inter-reli​gious Forum in Asuncion, Paraguay appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

Korea’s leading magazine Shin Dong-A, published a ten page feature of GPC Atlanta 2012 in its New Year edition. The January issue also ran the announcement of  Park Geun-hye’s presidential win, making her the first woman president of the Republic of Korea.

Shin Dong-A, a leading monthly magazine in Korea, published a feature article on GPC Atlanta 2012 in its New Year edition.

See the original article in Korean.

Below is the unofficial English translation of the first segment of the article.

GPC Atlanta 2012 Presents a New Paradigm for Global Peace

By Young Chul Choi ftdog@donga.com

Atlanta, Georgia, United States –

“Global peace will come through a Great Spiritual Awakening based on the vision that all humanity is One Family Under God !”

Imagine a day when Israelis and Palestinians hold hands and declare the end of war, when the Korean peninsula is united and the DMZ erased, when democratic governments emerge in the Middle East and Africa and gunpowder smoke vanishes from the region… Imagine the day when struggles between nations, races, and, religions around the world disappear, when there are no more refugees, when poverty is ended, when military forces are dismantled, and all humanity is one family under God….

It sounds like a dream. But significant steps have been made to make these dreams a reality. An international conference was held In Atlanta, Georgia, considered the “Mecca” of the American Civil Rights Movement, addressing the moral and innovative leadership needed to establish peace transcending religious and cultural differences.

800 leaders from 40 nations, including 10 former heads of states, convened for the Global Peace Convention 2012 in Atlanta. Held from November 29 to December 2, the convention presented a new paradigm for global peace. The conference is considered the world’s largest international and high-level conference hosted by a civic organization.

Moral Innovative Leadership

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center), The Carter Presidential Center, and the international service and volunteer organization, Points of Lights Institute, c0-hosted and participated in the convention. In addition, 10 former presidents of 8 Latin American nations, as well as delegations from global hot-spots like the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Nigerian government, and the Kenyan government attended the convention.

The Global Peace Convention is an annual international conference hosted by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), a non-profit, civic organization chaired by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, that is convened by business, political, civil society and religious leaders, scholars, and media experts from across the globe to explore solutions and generate proposals and policies for world peace. GPC Atlanta 2012 is the fourth in the series that began in 2009 with GPC Philippines in Manila, GPC Kenya in Nairobi in 2010, and GPC Seoul in Korea in 2011.
The world needs a next Great Spiritual Awakening for the 21 century in order to create world peace that transcends current disputes and struggles.
GPF is a global civic organization that is working towards the UN Millennium Goals through ongoing community driven sustainable development programs in emerging countries, and a growing global network of experts and partners from various fields. The Washington D.C.-based organization was founded in 2007 and is chartered in 22 nations. Under the vision of “One Family under God” GPF programs cultivate reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation. Through partnerships with numerous organizations around the world, GPF is a spearheading inter-cultural and inter-religious cooperation, strengthening the family and society, and promoting a culture of service and peace.

The theme of GPC Atlanta 2012 was: “Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Healthy Families, Ethical Societies and a Global Culture of Peace.” The conference underlined the importance of leadership based on moral principles and innovation in all areas: public and private sectors, civil society and non-profit, for an integrated effort for peace.

The key tracks included building peace in the Middle East, greater hemispheric cooperation in the Americas based on common principles and values, peace through the reunification of the Korean peninsula, and interfaith reconciliation and cooperation. Participants agreed that the ideals described in the American Declaration of Independence – that responsible participation of citizens to make a free, ethical, and righteous society – is what made America the mightiest country in the world. They also concluded that, based on these principles,the world needs a next Great Spiritual Awakening for the 21 century in order to create world peace that transcends current disputes and struggles. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self–evident, that all men are created equal,” The founding principles of America eventually enabled the United States to repeal slavery.

Read the 2nd segment of Shin Dong-A‘s ten page feature of GPC Atlanta 2012 at: http://www.hyunjinmoon.com/christianity-and-islam-join-hands-peace-koreas-leading-magazine-shing-donga-gpc-2012-feature-part-2-2/

Read the 3rd segment of Shin Dong-A‘s ten page feature of GPC Atlanta 2012 at: http://www.hyunjinmoon.com/all-lights-village-movement-most-popular-gpc-2012-shin-dong-a-special-report/

Read the 4th segment of Shin Dong-A‘s ten page feature of GPC Atlanta 2012 at: http://www.hyunjinmoon.com/unification-north-south-korea-key-world-peace-koreas-leading-magazine-shing-dongas-gpc-2012-report-part-3-2/

See also Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon’s speech at the Opening Plenary of the Global Peace Convention 2012 in Atlanta.

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Former President of Paraguay, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, opened the Americas Summit by stating, “What is happening before my eyes here in Atlanta is a dream come true.”

Presidents Wasmosy, Lacalle and Cerezo spearheaded the Latin American Presidential Mission launched at the Global Peace Convention 2012. In 2010 they signed the Asuncion Declaration, and have worked together since.

His journey to Atlanta began in October 2010, at the first Global Peace Leadership Convention in Paraguay. At that convention, Global Peace Foundation founder Dr. Hyun Jin Moon challenged Latin American leaders to “pave the path to peace and reconciliation in this hemisphere by becoming a leader in the global peace process through the vision of ‘one family under God’.”

Dr. Moon referenced the United States to stress that peace and stability are not determined by the economic or political structure of the state, but by its founding principles. The United States was founded upon a declaration that all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” that supersede any man-made authority.

President Wasmosy recalls how he and a handful of others, including  Luis Alberto Lacalle (former president of Uruguay) and Vinicio Cerezo (former president of Guatemala), responded to the challenge and signed the Asunción Declaration. They affirmed their “desire to work – beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic differences – for the unity of Latin America as a continent of peace and future that can shine light in a world filled with uncertainties and confusion.”

The Declaration is constructed upon spiritual and universal “civic values and virtues,” as a means to address the social and economic issues of the region as well as build greater Latin American solidarity and hemispheric cooperation. It has become the impetus for a continental movement.

Over the next year, the Global Peace Foundation, worked together with the “Instituto de Desarrollo del Pensamiento Patria Soñada”(IDPPS), a think-tank in Paraguay, the “Esquipulas Foundation for the Intergration of Central America” based in Guatemala, and the “Uruguay Leadership Conference” gathering notable former and current national leaders who resonate with the vision elucidated in the Asuncion Declaration.

Eight former presidents from Latin America convened in Atlanta to launch the Latin American Presidential Mission. Additional support came from six additional Latin and Central American countries.

President Wasmosy recounted how his circle of friends and colleagues who shared in the dream of a Latin American revival continued to grow.

The next year, 2011, a second international conference was convened in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia. It focused on the issues of ethics, energy, and food security, emphasizing that sustainable development must be built upon ethical principles. It resulted in the Brasilia Declaration that expanded on specific points of the Asuncion Declaration and called on Latin Americans “to recognize and overcome our past mistakes and to dream again and achieve the great goals of this continent.”

Shortly thereafter, former Presidents Wasmosy, Cerezo and Lacalle met together in Paraguay with the directors of the supporting foundations and think-tanks of their respective countries and proposed the creation of the Latin American Presidential Mission to be officially founded at the Global Peace Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The mission calls upon current and former Latin American heads of state to bring their “Leadership, Testimony and Action” to secure the future of Latin America and forge greater hemispheric cooperation based on principles, values and aspirations common in both Americas.

President Wasmosy stated, “Our conscience and ideals chart the map for our lives, our families, our leaders, our nations and an ideal world.”

The Americas Summit examined the shared values of the Americas, the common challenge and need for better education, and opportunities for hemispheric integration through trade and investment.

President Mesa of Bolivia signs the Presidential Mission as President Colom from Guatemala and President Barletta of Panama look on.

On December 1^st, the Americas Summit concluded with the signing of the founding document of the Latin American Presidential Mission by eight former presidents from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. They were supported by eight additional former presidents from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala and El Salvador who were unable to attend but sent video messages and letters of support.

It may be a “dream come true” but is also a challenge to pursue a bigger dream. Every member of the Latin American Presidential Mission is committed to “take up the mantle of moral and innovative leaders and build a legacy of the highest ideals for our communities, nations and the entire human family.”

Credits to Mr. Thomas Field, Regional Coordinator, GPF Regional Representative for Latin America

The post The Story of the Latin American Presidential Mission appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

November 29, 2012

Carter Presidential Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Nine former presidents of Latin America convened during the Global Peace Convention 2012 for the Americas Summit. They signed the Presidential Mission, committing to further hemispheric cooperation not merely based on economic and political cooperation, but on share principles and values of both North and South America to create a model  of peace for the world.

The following is the remarks by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon given at the Summit opening at the Carter Presidential Center.

A Great Spiritual Awakening in the Western Hemisphere

What a special honor it is to join in this prominent gathering of former presidents and statesmen from Latin America and the US, here at the prestigious Carter Center which itself carries on the important work of a former US president.

It would take too long to mention each one of you by name, but I especially want to salute former Presidents Juan Carlos Wasmosy of Paraguay, Luis Alberto Lacalle of Uruguay, and Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala for their support of our work at the Global Peace Foundation over the past few years.

This meeting of leaders is of great and timely significance.

I say this because we are living at a unique moment in the history of the Americas and the world. At this time when the world’s focus is shifting towards the pan-Pacific rim region, the Western hemisphere of North, Central and South America have a vital role to play to ensure that proper principles and values, rooted in the affirmation of our spiritual nature as human beings, are not only transmitted, but become the core of any effort to spread democracy and a free market system to other nations and future generations.

The challenge before us, the moment we must seize, is an opportunity to kindle the fire of a great hemispheric awakening rooted in spiritual values.

It is important to recognize that  the task ahead of us is not merely the promotion of democracy and capitalism.

Why do I say this?

Because it was not the democratic process itself, nor the free market system alone that shaped America into the nation it is today. Rather it was its underlying principles and values that enabled it to become a great nation.

We here in the Americas, must be anchored in  spiritually oriented principles and values in order to present a counterweight to what some emergent states are offering today.

 

Nine former presidents of Latin America signed the Latin American Presidential Mission. (Left to right: H.E. Alvaro Colom, Pres. of Guatemala (2008-2012), H.E. Carlos Mesa, Pres. Republic of Bolivia (2003-2005), H.E. Nicolas Ardito Barletta, Pres. Panama (1984-1985), H.E. Juan Carlos Wasmosy, Pres. Paraguay (1993-1998). Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Chairman, Global Peace Foundation, Mrs. Jun Sook Moon, Global Peace Woman, H.E. Gustavo Noboa, Pres. Ecuador (2000-2003), H.E. Hipolito Mejia, Pres. Dominican Republic (2000-2004), H.E. Luis Lacalle, Pres. Uruguay (1990-1995), H.E. Vinicio Cerezo, Pres. Guatemala (1986-1991), Mr. Thomas Field, Global Peace Foundation, South America)

Spiritual roots: North, Central, and South America

There are many who stress the differences between the United States and Latin America. But to focus on our differences is a serious mistake.

However, if we embrace our commonalities, we can come to a proper understanding and appreciation of our differences.  The Americas, as a whole, have significant historic and geographic connections.

The Americas are also experiencing substantially expanding ethnic ties. The Hispanic community in the U.S. produced the largest minority voting bloc in the recent elections here, and made a significant impact on key races throughout the nation. Also, a considerable portion of income produced by the hard work of this community is sent through remittances to their families in their countries of origin, which has a huge economic impact on many nations.

The bonds between the United States and Latin America are more important than ever.

Leaders in both the U.S .and in Latin America need to understand the import and opportunity that can be found in the mutual relationships of the Americas.

Enduring relationships that yield good results must be based upon ethical principles and shared values.  They provide the foundation that fosters mutual respect, collaborative efforts, and shared benefits.

There is broad common ground for the peoples of the Americas, and indeed all of humanity, in universal spiritual principles as conveyed in the essence of our faith traditions.

Faith in God, the Creator, was the guiding inspiration for those who pioneered the cause of independence for the Americas.

The most important expression of universal principles as the basis of human liberty is found in the Declaration of Independence.

As a “vision statement” of the United States, it asserts: “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.”

 These lofty principles are not just applicable to the citizens of the United States; they establish the fundamental foundation for human rights and dignity for all people throughout the world.

Even our respected presidents, here with us today, have to recognize that they are first and foremost human beings with a spiritual nature, guided by principles and values.

That’s the essence of our humanity. We are moral beings guided by an ethos that has been part of our nature since human creation. The same recognition of universal, spiritual principles that extend beyond religious or philosophical differences was expressed in the words of Simon Bolivar, when he said: “Jesus, who was the light of the Earth, desired no dignity or crowns in the world; he called men his brothers and taught them about equality, about the most republican civil virtues, and commanded them to be free.”

When I toured throughout Latin America and met with presidents, parliamentarians and civil society leaders, I found the same, shared resonance with these principles as the foundation for just, prosperous and democratic societies.

The important similarities between the United States and Latin America are found in ethical, moral and civic values, in the call to patriotism, and in the understanding of the value of the family.

H.E. Colom and H.E. Cerezo look on as fellow Latin American president H.E. Mesa signs the Presidential Mission statement.

Being a man of faith, I feel the hand of Divine Providence leading us to a new era of opportunity and prosperity in the hemisphere of the Americas.

Beginning from a common ethos that honors God and the intrinsic value of all people, we should now aspire to build nations where the respect for human dignity, the love of liberty, and the accomplishment of responsible citizenship may flourish.

The challenge for us in the Western Hemisphere of North, Central, and South America, is to come together to champion these principles and values; and especially to champion the global vision of “One Family under God”. Our common heritage rooted in Christian faith strongly resonates with this universal vision. The essence of Jesus’ teaching was meant to create a new ethos based on true love which could transform cultures, societies and the world, Yet that ethos has yet to be realized, and remains as a hope and aspiration of all people.

It is for this reason that a great awakening is needed today.

So, I challenge the leadership of the Americas gathered here to not only address issues of this hemisphere that pertain to an economic, political, or diplomatic context, but also to address the need for a spiritual awakening that uplifts the shared values that can accomplish true integration and enduring development.

 

Focus of the Americas Summit

Toward the fulfillment of that goal, this hemispheric conference will analyze critical concerns and gather insights; with the contributions of the Latin American statesmen gathered here—former presidents and leaders of nations who came to share their wisdom and experience.

This Americas Summit will focus on three key issues.

1. The first is the common ethical values that should govern relations among us. I spoke on the importance of shared principles and values.

They are essential to any relationship and form the glue that binds us together.

2. The second is education as a source of values, knowledge and skills. Quality education should result in citizens of good moral character who have confidence in themselves, and are able, through critical thinking, to reach their goals.

Quality education should be an investment, a priority for any nation that seeks a bright future. It should engender objectivity, rational thought, and a willingness to participate in the practice      of good citizenship.

3. The third issue is trade and investment, necessary for the prosperity and well-being of all. Business practices must be guided by ethical standards to create societies of equity and peace.

I think most would agree that a major cause of the global recession and financial crisis can be directly attributed to the erosion of ethical principles and values.  If those in power do not regulate themselves, then any system or institution can experience corruption and eventually collapse.

We are striving to fulfill the goals articulated in the Asuncion Declaration which was adopted by former presidents and leaders at the Global Peace Foundation’s first Latin American Leadership Conference in Paraguay in 2010. Centered on this Declaration, a large number of former Latin American presidents, many of whom are with us here today, have agreed to join forces to create what will be called the “Latin American Presidential Mission”.

I applaud the commitment of this Latin American Presidential Mission in convening with such a lofty purpose.

It is a call to civic activism that draws on the experience and talent of former presidents, and is supported by other leaders from different areas of the continent.

With the slogan: Leadership, Testimony, Action, it will offer innovative perspectives to critical issues and contribute to their solutions. It will be idealistic yet realistic, going from less to more, from the grassroots to the summit.

 

Our Future: Moral and Innovative Leadership

Dr. Hyun Jin Moon urges a hemispheric great awakening at the Americas Summit Opening Session at the Carter Center.

The task we face requires the incorporation of professionals and experts in different fields, but more than that it requires our moral and innovative leadership. What do I mean by moral and innovative leadership?

First, it is leadership which promotes a “greater good” that can benefit not only the individual, but the whole society, the nation, and ultimately the world.

Such leadership must be guided by clear vision, irrevocable principles and universal values; with the breadth and depth to encompass the diversity of the human family.

Second, we need to harness innate human creativity to advance and develop the human condition. This is the innovative component of leadership.

In every culture, extraordinary men and women have propelled humanity forward in the fields of philosophy, ethics, science, sports and cultural arts, freely exercising their God-given talents even to the point of challenging existing paradigms.

With a dream of a bright future, the Global Peace Foundation, an international NGO that I chair, is leading efforts for peace based on a spiritual vision expressed in the simple but profound phrase, of “One Family under God.”

The transformative power of this vision is found in the fundamental truth that all people, regardless of race, religion, nationality, tribe or ethnicity, are spiritual beings who share a common heritage in one God or Creator.

Moral and innovative leadership provides vision and action that builds a positive legacy for the future. It recognizes that the most fundamental human problems cannot be solved by politics, diplomacy, economy, or science alone. Essentially, sustainable solutions must address root causes, and therefore must include the intrinsic spiritual dimension of the human experience. In short, political authority cannot force, nor can money buy, the virtues necessary to resolve conflicts and build moral and ethical societies.

 

A Great Awakening Starts Now

 Recognizing the growing influence of Latin American communities in North America and the growing geopolitical and geo-economic influence of Latin American nations on the global stage, I want to conclude by saying once again that this time and circumstance are ripe for calling forth a great spiritual awakening, in our hemisphere and beyond, that can summon the creativity, energy and motivation for a global ethical, social, political and economic transformation.

I firmly believe that now is the time for such transformation.

The vision of “one family under God” can inspire and motivate a spiritual peace movement that is the vanguard for this great awakening, beginning here in the Americas.  My hope is that this Americas Summit and the larger Global Peace Convention will serve as catalysts that ignite and invigorate that movement.

I challenge each of us, especially our presidents here, to take up the mantle of moral and innovative leadership, that together we can build a legacy of the highest ideals, for our communities, nations, and the entire human family.

Thank you.

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Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Healthy Families, Ethical Societies, and a Global Culture of Peace

Carter Presidential Center, Atlanta, Georgia 

Your excellencies, honored guests, and distinguished participants from around the world. It is a distinct pleasure to welcome you from the four corners of the world here to the United States and to this fourth annual Global Peace Convention. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Georgia Senator Emanuel Jones, and Dr. Robert Schuller, for hosting and serving as Co-Chairman of this Convention. To the members of our Global Leadership Council, to the many distinguished Latin American Presidents, and to the dignitaries from 40 nations assembled here today: thank you for your visionary leadership and ownership of our mission of peace.

The Global Peace Convention

The Global Peace Convention started in Southeast Asia in 2009, in Manila, capital of the Philippines. We then moved to the continent of Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya, where president Kibaki was patron of the convention. Next, in 2011, we were in Northeast Asia, in my birthplace of Seoul, Korea; and finally this year we have arrived in the Western Hemisphere and my adopted home here in the United States. Thus, this convention brings together the fruits of those past conventions as well as of the numerous festivals, service and community development projects, character development programs, and partnerships that we have had the great fortune to initiate and develop with many of you in this room today.

The theme of this year’s Convention is “Moral and Innovative Leadership: Building Healthy Families, Ethical Societies and a Culture of Global Peace.” It is particularly fitting that this should be the theme for our gathering here in this great city of Atlanta, Georgia, a place rich with history, faith, and more importantly as a center of the civil rights movement. As a man of faith and student of history, I have always looked at that movement not just as a struggle for civil rights but as America’s “Great Awakening” of the 20th century – one of the great spiritual movements of American history which were the harbinger of transformations to come. Today we must rekindle that spirit and take it to a still higher level, laying out a path not only for American renewal but for a hemispheric and even global awakening that will offer a new perspective for peace and harmony in our time.

Where America’s True Strength Lies

Ladies and gentlemen, the United States may be the world’s sole remaining superpower, but we need to be clear about where America’s true strength lies. It is not in U.S. military might, greatly stretched in Iraq and now in Afghanistan. Nor is it in America’s geopolitical and economic dominance, now challenged by its debt crisis and questions about its leadership in the Middle East, Asia and the international community.

I believe that America’s true strength lies in its moral authority as a nation rooted in spiritual principles and values which has championed human rights and freedoms at home and abroad.  This is a nation with the aspiration to become “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”   It was this vision that inspired millions from all corners of the world regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality and religion to make the long and perilous journey to a new nation filled with hope and opportunity. In order for the United States to exercise genuine global leadership in today’s more complex and fragmenting world, it must rekindle that position of true servant leadership, offering its inclusive national promise to the world.

Now more than ever, the United States must look to its unique founding ideals as the basis for a new Renaissance in the 21^st century rooted in universally accepted aspirations, principles and values.   Just as the European Renaissance gave rise to the Reformation and the Enlightenment and, thereby laid the groundwork for our modern world, a new global movement for change needs to arise, anchored in the past but bringing a fresh, new vision for the future.  This is a time for bold leadership, that is guided by a universal aspiration and tied to those time-tested principles and values that form the basis of our common humanity.

In the course of the last century, the United States has been the catalyst for positive global change, challenging European colonial imperialism, and creating international assemblies to foster peace through dialogue and reason.  The League of Nations after the First World War, and the United Nations after the Second World War, were created as a result.  During the Cold War era, American leadership, and faith in human rights and fundamental freedoms, paved the way for the eventual collapse of totalitarian, communist regimes around the world. The historical role of the United States in shaping, and then leading, the world to where we are today, is undisputed. The question then is what should be America’s role going forward, as we look to this new century and the challenges that it brings.

Three Thematic Challenges Facing America and the World

As a concerned citizen and peace advocate, I see three major themes that the U.S., needs to address as a global leader in the 21^st century, together with the world community. The first deals with the religious dimension of U.S. engagement in the Middle East and the contemporary challenge of sectarian-fueled extremism and violence. The second is near to my heart as a Korean-American, namely the resolution of the Korean conflict. The final theme addresses the need for greater hemispheric integration between the United States and its southern neighbors in this era of the Pan-Pacific rim.

The current approach to addressing terrorism over the last eleven years has embroiled the United States in the ever changing politics of the Muslim world where religion and tribal affiliations are  powerful socio-political realities. How does the United States meet the threat of Islamist extremism without alienating mainstream Muslims and igniting a wider conflict along religious lines? Moreover, the rise of a potential nuclear Iran with its regional ambitions, coupled with the instability of the Middle East, makes for a still more volatile situation.

Further complicating matters is North Korea’s link to the Iranian nuclear program and its role as the arms supplier to rogue regimes worldwide. Given these challenges, the resolution of the Korean conflict is of paramount global importance. What should U.S. and international policy be toward the Korean peninsula given the threats to regional stability, and international security?

Finally, there is the question of the future of the Americas. It is clear that the Hispanic community will be ever more influential in the domestic, social, political and economic life of the United States. Whether considering immigration, socio-economic opportunity, or regional trade and partnerships, it seems clear that the future of the US and the hemisphere as a whole lies with greater integration and cooperation. This becomes even more important given the rise of China as a significant competitor and growing force on the global stage.

A Nation Founded on Principles

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me repeat: to provide global leadership in meeting these challenges,  the United States must rekindle its founding ideals and find in them the inspiration for dealing with today’s realities. This nation was given birth through the declaration of certain universal transcendent principles and values that uplifted human dignity and freedoms. Those “self-evident truths” formed the foundation of a new nation in which a common commitment to shared ideals and values bound us together as “one nation under God.”

I have traveled widely around the world and gained a unique perspective that has enabled me to appreciate the distinctive genetic code of America’s greatness.  As a student of history I have often asked myself, “What is the essence of the American Dream?” I came to the conclusion that the American Dream is not about the democratic political process or the free market economic system. Processes and systems are external structures that succeed or fail depending on the spirit and values that infuse them. The secret of America’s success lies in the vitality of the spiritual principles and values that motivated the American experiment and were poured into the structures of the new nation.

They are conveyed in the Declaration of Independence, a secular document that nevertheless enshrines spiritual principles that form the basis of our modern notion of human rights.   Its ringing words declare : “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” They make clear that those rights and the human dignity, freedom, and responsibility that flow from them, are not granted by any human power or institution but come as our natural heritage from the Creator and, therefore, cannot rightfully be abridged or denied. They are a shield against tyranny and corruption. In this context, the First Amendment to the Constitution is of particular importance, guaranteeing freedom of expression and religion. In so doing it set a precedent that has made a global impact, protecting and promoting essential freedoms of conscience, worship, and speech everywhere.

It is in these core principles that America’s greatness lies. It was to them, for example, that Dr. Martin Luther King appealed in his powerful and charismatic speeches that transcended sectarian religious differences and spoke to the larger humanity of us all. He said that the civil rights movement was not just a struggle for African-American equality but the pursuit of a timeless ideal rooted in the fundamental principles that shaped America’s founding.

From One Nation under God to One World Family under God

This moment may prove to be a historic crossroads, for the United States, and for the world. The time is ripe for a new spiritual awakening that galvanizes the community of righteous and faithful citizens around universal principles and shared values, not just in the U.S. but throughout the Western hemisphere and the world. In other words, humanity needs a vision that is more powerful than the forces driving us apart. American founding ideals gave rise to the vision of One Nation under God – a nation where people of diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds could live together and create the model of a unified world. The time is ripe for this model to be expanded to the global level — from the nation to the world.

A shared spiritual vision for humanity is the objective needed for these challenging times. Such a vision is found in the simple but profound idea that all human beings, everywhere, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, or religion, are part of “One Family under God.” Political authority cannot mandate, nor can money buy, the virtues needed to resolve conflicts and build ethical societies. We need a new framework rooted in our shared spiritual aspirations and principles that give rise to the values needed to build peace.

Moral and Innovative Leadership

What do I mean by moral and innovative leadership? First, it has to promote a “greater good” that can benefit not only the individual but the larger society, nation and eventually the world. This is the moral orientation of the leadership I am describing. For it to come to fruition it has to be guided by a vision or aspiration and a clear set of irrevocable universal principles and values that could have the breadth and depth to encompass the diversity of the human family.

Secondly, it has to harness mankind’s natural creative need to advance and develop the human condition. This is the innovative component of leadership. As you all know, every culture has examples of extraordinary men and women who propelled humanity forward in the fields of philosophy, ethics, the sciences, athletics and the cultural arts, by freely exercising their God-given talents even to the point of challenging existing paradigms. Although many faced difficulties due to religious, societal and legal constraints of their time, it is fair to say that the modern world with its greater freedoms and advancements has benefited greatly due to the sacrifices of these innovators.

Three Thematic Challenges Addressed

Ladies and gentlemen:

When fundamental human aspirations are expressed in universal principles and given form through shared values; and when moral and innovative leaders rise up to give them practical substance; then we will see profound change in our societies, nations, and world, and the dawn of a new era of harmony and peace. In particular, this will provide the key to resolving the three challenges facing America and the world, that I laid out earlier.

Interfaith Cooperation Based on Universal Principles

In order to meet the threat of global religious conflict, a new type of interfaith movement must appear, much like the civil rights movement of the 1960s which addressed the injustices suffered by African-Americans through an appeal to universal principles and values. This era should be one where people of every faith come together on the foundation of such principles and values in a new Great Spiritual Awakening. The promise that America makes to its citizens through the First Amendment must be extended to all the world’s peoples through such an interfaith movement.

On that common foundation, people of faith must stand together to uphold those principles and resist the violent appeal of religious extremism. I want to recognize the representatives here of Nadhlatul Ulama from Indonesia, one of our major international interfaith partners. NU is the world’s largest Muslim civic organization from the world’s most populous Muslim country. NU promotes a moderate and peaceful vision of Islam that supports the Indonesian polity based on unity in diversity and respect for religious freedom. They act vigorously against Islamist extremists whose actions are contrary to Islam’s core principles and mission of peace.

Here in America, the Coalition for American Renewal is building a grassroots network among religious and civic leaders to revive the American founding spirit and apply it in practical social and educational initiatives nationwide. It is upholding First Amendment freedoms, particularly freedom of religion, which is the foundation for freedom of conscience. I also want to recognize the many other interfaith partners in this room from around the world, such as the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy, who are building peace through track two diplomacy.

A Principled Approach to Korean Unification

With Korean unification, the Foundation has taken an innovative approach that has altered the framework of the debate. To start with, we challenged the idea that unification was impossible or could only be achieved over generations.   Our Global Peace Leadership Conferences put it on the table as an imminent possibility. Next, we took it out of the exclusive top-down realm of high international politics and made it a popular, bottom-up campaign that engaged ordinary Korean citizens. Through the Korea United campaign we have engaged a broad-based coalition of 400 grassroots civic organizations with an innovative values-based approach to Korean unification.

Finally, and most important, we shifted the debate away from the process to a focused discussion on the desired outcome – what sort of a nation, governed by what principles, should a united Korea be?  Thus, for the first time, a grassroots movement for Korean unification, based upon spiritual principles, has emerged. Ultimately, unification based on such principles is urgently needed to resolve the threat of North Korean nuclear arms and nuclear proliferation.

A Great Hemispheric Awakening for the 21^st Century

Work to promote greater integration within the western hemisphere, between the Americas, is already under way. Yesterday, eight former heads of state of Latin American countries, with the committed support of several others, met at the Carter Center to kick off the Americas Summit. This afternoon they will announce the founding of the Latin American Presidential Mission. Building on earlier meetings in Paraguay in 2010, and in Brazil last year, and the Asuncion and Brasilia Declarations that emerged from these meetings, they are developing a blueprint for the closer integration of the Latin American countries and a deeper connection between North and South America.

The project is not just about diplomacy or economics. At its core is the affirmation and propagation of our common spiritual roots and of the same “self-evident truths” that informed America’s founding. Upon such a foundation we can experience a Great Hemispheric Awakening and see the opening of a new era in the history of the Americas that will have a positive impact throughout the world. In particular the western hemisphere can establish societies that value human rights, freedoms, and responsibilities. These will stand as beacons for the aspirations of people everywhere and bulwarks against authoritarian regimes that deny those rights.

Worldwide Initiatives

Significant initiatives are also being undertaken with many dedicated partners in Africa and Asia. There are distinguished African leaders here today who have worked with GPF to forge national campaigns of social cohesion that have stemmed the post-election violence in Kenya. Also here are African religious and political leaders who convened recently at the United Nations in Nairobi for the Africa Conference on Volunteer Action for Peace and Development. There, 25 partners launched Africa’s own multi-national regional approach to a peace corps, engaging African youth in international service.

In Asia, young people are being engaged in development in rural villages such as the All Lights project that brings solar powered lighting to communities that are not on the electrical grid. This effort reaches out across Southeast Asian nations.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentlemen: The demands of this moment in history are great, but so are the opportunities to forge a bright future for humanity. Now is the time to revive America’s founding vision and expand that dream onto a global stage through the universal vision of “One Family under God.” This should be the clarion call of our age.  In the words of my father, who committed his life to the cause of peace, the time has come “to tear down the man-made walls of race, culture, religion and country, and establish the peaceful, ideal world of God’s cherished desire.”

The power of one human family united, can quell the turmoil of conflict throughout the world—from the strife and poverty of Africa, to the conflict in the Middle East, and the final remnant of the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula. As Americans and global citizens, let us make a solemn pledge to expand this dream to all people and lead the world to peace through the vision of “One Family under God.”  Then, as surely as light overcomes the darkness, an era of peace and prosperity will emerge from the depths of distrust and hatred, both at home and in the far corners of our world.

Join with me and all our partners, and dare to dream the greatest dream of all, that we can all live as One Family under God, and make that dream a reality.

Thank you for your support and engagement in this great work and may God bless you and your families.

Thank you.

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America’s thanksgiving story shows how God and service brings together people as one family.

America’s first Thanksgiving is a story of faith, freedom and service to humanity. The Pilgrims left England and sailed across the Atlantic in search of a place to freely worship God. They set out with only their faith in God and what little they could carry on the Mayflower. Those who made it to the new land had to survive the bitter winter and starvation. Yet, they did not relinquish their faith and hope. Before anything else, they build their church as the center of their community. Despite their hunger, they refused to touch their seed grains. Their eyes always looked to God and to the future.

Winter thawed into spring. And the Massasoit Indians brought blessings to the emaciated settlers. Despite cultural, lingual, and religious differences, in a profound act that shows the best of humanity, the tribe shared its own store of corn seeds and gave the Pilgrims agricultural and hunting expertise. With the aid of their Native Americans brethren, the Pilgrims carved out a livelihood.

After the bountiful harvest that autumn, The Pilgrims hosted a thanksgiving feast to give thanks to God and to their Massasoit brothers and sisters. In his account of this event in 1621, Edward Winslow wrote, “And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Thanksgiving is a chance to acknowledge this remarkable moment in America’s history as families sit around the table  – a snapshot of God’s children giving thanks to Him, to the beautiful earth and its bounty, and to each other, each unique and precious member of His family.

America has welcomed pioneers from all over the world, preceding and following the Pilgrims, each seeking for a chance to freely live with and worship God. Their journeys have woven a narrative that has God’s hand intimately involved in America’s history. This reliance on divine providence has been a guiding light during the most trying times in America’s history, and has steered her course towards the dream of becoming a model nation that protects the “inalienable rights” of every person “endowed by our Creator”.  Remembering this, Happy Thanksgiving.

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