Before an audience of 730 civil society organizations attending the Action for Korea United Leaders Assembly 2015 in Seoul, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon delivered a keynote address at the InterContinental Hotel.

He emphasized that the identity of the Korean people is rooted in its founding philosophy, Hongik Ingan. The western nations claim that, a few hundred years ago, they created the noble ideals that we uplift today such as fundamental freedoms and human rights. Yet, the Hongik Ingan ideals, that existed since Korea’s founding 5,000 years ago, profess those exact same points.

Dr. Moon goes further to propose that the ideals of Hongik Ingan are not just for the Korean people, but for the entire world. This is the role he envisions a unified Korea can play on a regional and global level, that he calls, “The Korean Dream”.

Action for Korea United is a coalition of over 730 civil society organizations committed to advancing such a vision for peaceful re-unification on the Korean Peninsula.

The annual assembly highlighted the important grassroots efforts being done to engage the Korean public on this significant issue.

The following address was delivered at the Action for Korea United Leaders Assembly hosted in Seoul, Korea on October 8, 2015.

Click here for Korean version

Originally I came prepared with a written speech in English. However, being here with all of you, it feels like I am with family that I have not seen in a while. Instead I would like to speak to you in Korea from my heart. My Korean is a little lacking because I grew up in America so I may occasionally have to use English. Would that be okay?

I am deeply moved to be here, because the vision of unification is not just my dream; it was my father’s dream and my great-great uncle’s dream. If I think about it, this dream is our shared legacy as the Korean people.

For us, unification is not just a concept; it is part of our identity.

In 2010, when I first began working on the issue of Korean unification, I visited Korea to meet with the highest leaders: political leaders, business leaders, NGO leaders, and academics. I was told the Korean people were no longer interested in unification – that the issue was outdated. The older generation may still have been interested, but the younger generation in particular was not. I was told that if I wanted to build a foundation in Korea, I would have to focus on a different issue.

However, in my heart, I knew that this was not the case.

The Moon family, including my late father and generations preceding him believed that the Korean nation, the Korean people, were given a special mandate, a mission from God. I believe this, too.

You can find the basis for this conviction if you study Korean history. I truly believe that the vision of Hongik Ingan is not just part of our ancient history, but a mandate bequeathed by Heaven to our people. What is that mandate?

It is that the Korean people should live for the benefit of all humanity. This content is quite profound; I extensively expound upon Hongik Ingan in my book.

As a history major during my time in university, I studied many of the world’s histories. During that time, I could see that among the many ancient civilizations, Korea stands out as a nation that upheld a high ideal like the philosophy, the vision of Hongik Ingan.

Having studied in America, I understand the Western ways of thinking. In particular, it is taught and believed that the concept of fundamental freedoms and human rights began in the West.

Of course, this reasoning comes with little knowledge of the history of Korea. It perceives Asia as backwards, especially in terms of fundamental freedoms and fundamental human rights. Yet, there was a nation in Asia that strove for the highest aspirations of human life by recognizing the sanctity of our common humanity. Not just our national humanity, but our common humanity. That nation was Korea.

When I shared the vision of Hongik Ingan with U.S. congressional leaders who came to GPF conferences and events, and explained why Korea resonates with the values that America represents, especially in lieu of issues such as human rights and fundamental freedoms, they were blown away. What amazed them was that the philosophy of Hongik Ingan existed 5,000 years ago in an ancient civilization in the heart of Asia. When I wrote The Korean Dream, I specifically wrote it for an international audience, especially a Western audience.

As I have shared these ideas with many foreign dignitaries, they have been moved.

During this conference, I was asked by the owner of one of the largest media entity groups in India to write an opinion piece on where the ideas of freedom and human rights came from because he recognized the contribution of Korea, through the vision of Hongik Ingan in enlightening not only Asia, but the world. His newspaper is the most influential newspaper in India, and his entire media entity reaches 250 million households in the nation of India.

Why is this important? It reminds us that the ideal of Hongik Ingan is not just meant to move the Korean people, it is meant to move the entire world and all humanity.

With the end of the Cold War paradigm, how can we as the Korean people in the North and South and the entire world address the issue of unification? The question of unification is becoming more and more pressing. We first need to establish the vision of Hongik Ingan in order to continue to help our nation.

I called that vision the Korean Dream. What is the Korean Dream?

It is not simply the hope and promise of a peaceful reunification of North and South Korea. It has the hope and promise of the people of Asia as well as the rest of the world who are looking for the type of leadership needed to bring peace to our troubled humanity. That is why this is the time in which we need to dream big.

This is a time in which we need to dream the Korean Dream!

If the Republic of Korea can first become the owners of the Korean Dream, then North Korea will follow. If North Korea follows, North-South unification will come. If North-South unification comes, the entire world will look to Korea’s example to follow. This is my 100% conviction!

I hope you understand the centrality of our work at hand.

Every single one of you is an owner of the Korean Dream. In the opening of the first chapter to my book, The Korean Dream, I added an idea by Genghis Khan:

“If one person dreams a dream, it is but a dream. If everyone dreams the same dream, it will become a reality.”

All of you here are part of civic organizations. All of you represent the Korean people.

I’ve lived a long time in the United States, so it’s possible that I am not fully aware of the situation here; however, I am slightly skeptical of political leadership.

This is because in a democracy, to move the political leadership, you first need to move the citizens. If the Korean people move, then the whole country will move. If all of you make this dream your own in every small and large way; if you dream the dream for this movement for unification, then a tremendous transformation will take place.

If you go out with this hope and spirit, the entire Korean nation, North and South, will shake.

A new tsunami will come!

Thank you very much!

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“We are going to be making a pledge, by signing the Abuja declaration make this pledge your own. Make this your mission in life to make sure that there is a positive future for this nation of Nigeria and the continent of Africa.”
-Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, Global Peace Leadership Conference, Abuja, Nigeria, 2013.

Bishop Sunday Onuoha adds his signature to the Abuja Declaration at the close of GPLC 2013. International delegates from over 20 nations pledging to “Create a strategic platform to promote universal principles for peacebuilding and our shared values as One Family under God.”

On November 9 2013, the closing of the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, faith and civil society leaders, government and international officials, and traditional rulers signed the Abuja Declaration,

•  “ACKNOWLEDGING the sovereignty of Almighty God, the source of inalienable rights of all members of the human family, and the basis for the equality, dignity and intrinsic value of all people as One Family under God;”
•  And COMMITTED to “create a strategic platform to promote universal principles for peacebuilding and our shared values as One Family under God.”

Since then, local owners of the “One Family Under God” campaign have initiated ongoing interfaith retreats, joint service projects, and educational programs as part of the “One Family Under God” campaign which aims to build cooperation and social-cohesion around shared values and universal principles of major religions.

Most recently, a unique Christmas get-together hosted by the wife of Governor Yero of Kaduna and the Global Peace Foundation-Nigeria drew together significant Christian and Muslim leaders from the state. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was represented by Rev. Sunday Ibrahim, CAN Secretary of the Kaduna State and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI)  was represented by Imam Ibrahim Mahe of the Kaduna State. Both made a commitment to uphold peace during the upcoming presidential elections, as heightened concerns and not too distant recollections of election related violence loom in the public consciousness.

Women leaders from around Kaduna State, both Muslim and Christian, were present at the Christmas gathering. Participants were given a holiday gift, a bag of rice, sponsored by H.E. Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, wife of the vice president of Nigeria, and H.E. Hajiya Fatima Ramalan Yero, wife of the Governor of Kaduna State.

Women leaders have also become significant contributors, particularly in their role in the family. The get-together host Hajiya Fatima Ramalan Yero told the women present, “All mothers must ensure that they teach their children the virtues of love, tolerance and respect for the dignity of the other person.”

The women leadership represented included Her Excellency Naomi Nuhu Audu Bajoga, wife of the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State; Hajiya Za’uma Shehu Tahir, wife of the Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly; Hajiya Halima Hamza, wife of the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government; Barakatu Yahaya Aminu, wife of the Chief of Staff to the Governor; Hajiya Aishatu Ibrahim, wife of the State Chairman of the ruling Political Party; and Habiba Shehu Ahmad, wife of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Her Excellency, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, wife of Nigeria’s vice president, and the wife of the Governor donated gifts of rice for the participants.

As Dr. Moon said, as owners of the vision of One Family under God arise from all generations of Nigerians, and make that vision into reality, “Nigeria can become a light and a true leader in the new emerging Africa, an example and inspiration for other nations to follow.”

Read the full report of the Nigeria Christmas Get-together at www.globalpeace.org

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“Moral leadership is more precious for the future of a nation than gold, diamonds, or oil. It is guided by a common vision that reflects the most fundamental human aspirations, conforms to the universal spiritual principles that govern human life, and is expressed in shared moral values that can ultimately form a global ethic.”  

-Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation

Let me begin by appreciating the distinguished panel for contributing their insights and inspiration to this important session. Also special thanks to the Paraguay Mission for serving as the lead sponsor for this UN forum, along with the Permanent Missions of 23 other nations. The Global Peace Foundation is proud to join with our partners in collaborating on this forum and in convening the IYLA program each year.

Also I would like to especially appreciate all of the participants of the International Young Leaders Assembly 2014, representing nearly 70 nations. The fact that you are here, investing your time, energy and focus, addressing important issues facing our world today, is indicative of a quality of character vitally needed if we are to build a better future. Simply put, I believe that you are here because you care, because you want to make a positive difference, and because you are ready to take action for the greater good.

Global Peace Foundation International President Jim Flynn addresses 500 young leaders at the International Young Leaders Assembly at the United Nations.

It is most significant that the culminating sessions of this IYLA are here at the United Nations, the pre-eminent global institution dedicated to building peace. In the nearly 70 years since its founding, the UN has expended tremendous effort and resources in the cause of peace and security for all nations. Despite such dedicated efforts, tragically our world is still plagued by conflict, corruption, and poverty.

Clearly no one institution alone, no matter how comprehensive its scope, can solve the fundamental problems of the human situation. It will take all of us as global citizens, working together in common cause, to transform our world. That is why it is meaningful that you as young leaders are here to discuss, engage, and aspire together to make a difference.

As we all know, our world has changed dramatically over the past few decades. Technology and globalization are impacting the lives of people everywhere, driving change at a breathtaking pace. It is remarkable to note, for example, that this year the number of cell phones globally will reach 7.3 billion, exceeding the world’s total population. We can communicate, transact and travel with an ease previously unimaginable.

Yet with the great promise of this 21st century, we continue to face dire realities and ominous challenges, on every continent. Consider that:

• The BBC reports that every minute, two people are killed in conflicts around the world.
• According to UNICEF, 22,000 children die every day due to poverty. That means a child dies every 4 seconds.

Our most pressing challenge today is an ethical one. Our technology can gather massive data on our browsing habits and consumer preferences, but cannot help us to understand each other, respect each other, or forgive each other. General Omar Bradley most aptly described the dilemma we face, when he said:

Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount.

We are faced with a significant gap between our external development and our ethical maturity. Technology has driven rapid development, but itself is value neutral. It can be used to improve the quality of life and well-being for all people, but can also be used for weapons of mass destruction. We are in dire need of ethical leadership, leadership with moral authority, because we are seriously limited by a values deficit, a debilitating shortfall in values that hampers our ability to realize the promise of the 21st century.

Great transformative leaders of the 20th century – Gandhi, King, Mandela – were such persons of moral authority. Of the importance of values, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “this is a moral universe, and there are moral laws of the universe just as abiding as the physical laws.”

Notably, Mahatma Gandhi described the interconnection of thought, action, and values, when he said:
Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words, 
Your words become your actions, 
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values, 
Your values become your destiny.

The theme of this forum is quite meaningful: “Moral and Innovative Leadership: Vision, Service and Entrepreneurship.” This unique juxtaposition – moral and innovative leadership – we believe encapsulates the leadership qualities needed for our time. A moral leader is guided by an ethical framework rooted in universal principles and shared values. A moral leader has integrity, and is committed to advance the greater good before self-interest. To quote the GPF Chairman, Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, who first introduced the framework of moral and innovative leadership in 2010:

“Moral leadership is more precious for the future of a nation than gold, diamonds, or oil. It is guided by a common vision that reflects the most fundamental human aspirations, conforms to the universal spiritual principles that govern human life, and is expressed in shared moral values that can ultimately form a global ethic. On the foundation of a solid ethical framework, innovative leadership can tap the wellspring of innate human creativity, ingenuity, and the power of innovation so that they could be channeled to address even the most intractable social problems.” 

“Let a noble vision guide your steps.” GPF president Jim Flynn urges young leaders to reach for a purpose that benefits all humanity.

Globalization has brought us into close contact and interaction with people quite different from ourselves. While that affords us a rich opportunity, it also could lead to more serious identity-based conflicts. When such conflicts are framed in religious terms, fueled by extremist interpretations, and rapidly connected through worldwide networks, then the threats immediately have global implications. As the current situations in Iraq and Gaza remind us in jarring detail, a global consensus is urgently needed that uplifts the essence of our common humanity, affirming the universal values necessary for a diverse world of freedom and peace.

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Bishop Sunday adds his signature to the Abuja Declaration signed by international delegates from over 20 nations pledging to “Create a strategic platform to promote universal principles for peacebuilding and our shared values as One Family under God.”

Since last year, the Global Peace Foundation has been working in Nigeria to counter the effects of religious extremism through promoting interfaith cooperation for peace and development. In November, a pivotal conference was held in Abuja where Christian and Muslim leaders and traditional rulers came together to build consensus on shared values and commit to working to tackle issues of identity-based conflict, poverty and education.

Now, more than ever, the role of true men and women of faith is needed to counter the hate and hurt propagated along religious differences and build a model of national and religious unity that can resound through the entire region.

Below is an excerpt from the address delivered by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation at the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am a man of faith and I believe that God’s Providence is calling faith leaders to be the peacemakers in this age.

The threat of religious extremism cannot be resolved by political or economic solutions alone. A true and lasting resolution must be rooted in faith and expressed through practical spirituality.

To that end, faith leaders must step beyond the confines of their own sectarian or denominational traditions, and act together as true spiritual leaders, representing God’s hope for the world, not just the interests of a particular religion.

Such a movement will raise humanity to a new level of understanding of the ways of peace and reconciliation, establishing new norms that become the foundation of a new global ethic.

Nigeria stands on the frontline of the dangerous division within the Abrahamic tradition, between Islam and Christianity.

Abraham was blessed and his descendants after him, because of his faith and devotion in one God. How ironic that today many of the heirs of that tradition, whether it be with the Christian or Muslim, who accuse each other of worshiping different gods.People of faith need to step back and reflect deeply on the true meaning of the original message taught by their founders.

None of the great faith traditions teaches division, domination, and conflict, though all of them have been distorted to promote such things at times. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” What higher honor could there be than that? In Islam, the very words of greeting, “As salamu alykum,” mean “peace be upon you,” and the word “Islam” itself has its roots in words meaning peace, and wholeness.

We who inherit traditions must be true to the ideal of peace under God expressed at the heart of their teachings, heal division, and bring the family of Abraham to become one.The challenge is global in scope as Christianity and Islam face each other in tense and sometimes violent relationships in many different parts of the world…

The threat that this represents is extreme and can only be countered by true spiritual leaders, true men and women of God, stepping beyond the boundaries of their own traditions, to work in common cause with those of other faith traditions, while each drawing on the deep strength and original vision of their own tradition.

This is truly carrying out the work of God, creating a world where all live as members of One Family under God, that can find peace, security and prosperity. Such a movement will transform Nigeria, and its effects will ripple out across the region, throughout the continent, into the Middle East, until it ultimately encompasses the world.

Within Nigeria itself, the impact of a powerfully active movement of cooperation among faiths will not only erode the influence of religious radicalism, but will also address ethnic and tribal divisions. It can also be a powerful force against corruption, by speaking out for the highest standards of public service and promoting and protecting those ready to uphold them. Such a faith movement can also tackle poverty, health, education, and other social needs.

Go here for the full speech.

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The first week of February is World Interfaith Harmony Week, established by UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/65/5. In his statement this year, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon wrote, “For billions of people around the world, faith is an essential foundation of life.  It provides strength in times of difficulty and an important sense of community. ”

Through his work, Dr. Moon has placed utmost importance on inter-religious cooperation. According to Dr. Moon, spiritual principles and values form the core of moral leadership. And spiritual leaders who carry moral authority hold the key to bringing people from all walks of life to the table to work for a common vision.

WATCH an EXCERPT:
At the Global Peace Convention 2013, held in December in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dr. Moon proposed a faith-based council at the UN as a way to bring a “fresh” approach to the threat of religious extremism and identity-based conflict.

Below is the transcript:

“The new and very different geopolitical dynamic of today calls for fresh thinking and new initiatives.

With that in mind, I propose the establishment of a faith-based Peace Council at the United Nations to meet the global challenge of identity-based conflict. Through such a council the collective wisdom and resources of the world’s great faith traditions can be mobilized to counter the radical elements that are distorting the original spirit of those traditions.We need to recognize the power of religious authority in amplifying the message of peace to local constituents in the most troubled hot spots of the world.

They represent a largely untapped resource for peace, yet, because they are deeply rooted in their communities, are far more effective peace builders than the UN’s ‘blue helmets’ who can only contain the level of violence.

When local faith leaders become true ‘owners’ of the vision of peace, they will inspire their constituents to act in ways to build real lasting peace.
We can be sure that the extremists are not sleeping.

Let us determine that it is not they who will determine the future, but it is us.”

For full speech visit: Global Peace Foundation on www.youtube.com.

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Service is a universal value that resonates in all great religions.

The recent commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the United States brought focus to the “vibrant spirit of unconditional love” as the powerful force of Dr. King’s leadership. He quoted Mark and left one of his enduring understandings that “everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”

Two recent posts on the Global Peace Foundation identified service as a common thread in the presentations and discussions among faith leaders at the Interfaith Forum prior to the Global Peace Convention 2013.

In the session “Faith Leaders for a Greater Good,” Archbishop Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur affirmed his belief that “all great religious leaders hold similar if not identical signature tune.” One melody that he highlighted was that of service. “When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others, and seek their welfare, our hearts are opened wider to God,” he said.

As an example, he shared the testimony of a minister from a remote part of his diocese who visits an elderly Malay Muslim couple every week. Every week the minister comes to help the wife bath and cloth the husband who is bedridden from a stroke. Archbishop Pakiam told Forum participants, “This is an example of holiness, of a spirituality that reaches out to others that is in need.”

In another session, Dr. M.M. Verma, founder of Interfaith Foundation in India, said in response to the question of resolving inter-religious tensions strongly stated, “If you worship the Lord, it means one thing and one thing only, that you serve His people, you serve mankind.” He asserted that praising the name of God is not enough. “If we praise his name, but harm His creation, we have committed the greatest disservice to the One that we love. As God is our parent, we are closer than just cousins. We are brothers and sisters.”

There are examples in other religious texts that also affirm service as a fundamental value. In the Hadith of Bukhari there is a passage that recounts a man asking the Prophet, “What is the best thing about Islam?” to which the Prophet responds, “It is to feed the hungry and give the greeting of peace both to those one knows and to those one does not know.” In the Jewish Mishna, Avot 4.1, it is written, “Who is honored? He who honors mankind.”

The human family has been dissected into many small segments that are kept apart by pretensions of religion, race, nationality, culture, even gender. Yet, service, the value of going beyond one’s personal needs to consider the needs of others, is still present in the spiritual heritage of humanity. It transcends divisions. So, in large and small ways, inspired individuals can begin to break down the pretensions that separate humanity, simply by living for each other.

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“Interfaith activities have dramatically reduced bloodshed and conflict in Nigeria and Kenya”

GPF Chairman Moon Hyun-jin in an interview with the Monthly Chosun.

After the Global Peace Convention Malaysia 2013, GPF Chairman Moon Hyun-jin said in an interview with the Monthly Chosun, “God blessed the Korean people with the philosophy of Hong-Ik Ingan. We are charged go out and benefit the whole world. If Korea realizes this grand dream, it can soon be the center of the world.” Chairman Moon is a charismatic and articulate speaker.

•  Is there a reason why you argue that an interfaith movement is the key to realizing peace?

“About 80% of the total population of the world’s 7 billion people have a religion or belong to a religious body. This would mean most of the people of the world are influenced by religions and religious leaders. It is especially true to people in developing countries. It is a critical issue that religious people are not accustomed to cooperating with other religions. It is wrong. Christianity, Catholicism and Islam all believe in the same absolute God. In other words, we are all one family under God. I have met many religious leaders in the world who support inter-faith cooperation”.

• It is not easy for religious leaders to cooperate with other religions.

“As long as religious leaders are true to the fundamental teaching of their religion without being tied down by the narrow interests of their religious institutions, there is no reason not to cooperate with one another. Think about it, there is not a single religious leader who does not agree with global peace and reconciliation, or one who has spoken out against resolving poverty and the problems of education facing their countries”.

• Would you introduce specific examples of GPF’s interfaith activities?

“Nigeria is one of the places where the GPF activities are most vibrant. In Nigeria, the ratio of Muslim and Catholic is 50:50. The country has recently witnessed a rise in conflicts centering on religious extremists. It has experienced bloodshed during recent elections. GPF met the Catholic leader, the Cardinal, and the Muslim leader, the Sultan, individually in Nigeria and proposed that they should be one under God for the sake of peace. They agreed with our goal and have begun persuading their religious followers. Since then, the country has seen a significant drop in conflicts. As many as 70 officials from the Nigerian government and military attended the 2013 Global Peace Convention.

In Kenya, President Mwai Kibaki and Dr Manu Chandaria, CEO of Comcraft Group have worked together to realize GPF’s vision for years. As a result religious and political conflicts have sharply decreased. Kenya used to experience bloodshed during elections, but the recent election did not result in any violence.”

• You suggested interfaith activities to the UN and the World Bank.

“It is not a coincidence that the current UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the World Bank Kim Yong are both Koreans. It is an opportunity given by God. If we can lay the firm foundation to resolve global conflicts and the establishment of peace while they are the heads of these international organizations, it will have huge implications for Korea”.

• In your global endeavors, is the fame of your father (late founder of the Unification Church) helpful or does it cause some misunderstanding?

“All the leaders from around the world participating in this convention know who I am. They also know that I am not working for a particular religion. Many may know my father as a religious leader, and that I am his son, but when they meet me, they realize we share common vision and values. Eventually they start working with me to build the future. With a shared vision, religious differences do not matter. They accept when I tell them that as a Korean I am committed to building a world peace movement that will lay the foundation for the peaceful reunification between South and North Korea, regardless of whose son I am. Ultimately all my work is for the Korean people and a unified Korea”.

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This past year, the Global Peace Foundation has started assertively working in Nigeria to bring together religious and traditional rulers.

Recent violence by the Boko Haram, a militant Muslim group that has allegedly claimed the lives of thousands, has garnered international attention. In May of this year, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria due to heightened violence. Not long after, GPF hosted a high level consultation in Abuja to address the issue of national unity and integration with religious and traditional leaders.

Nigeria is richly diverse, with more than 250 ethnic groups, each with its own language, custom and religion. Although each traditional kingdom has its own religious tradition, generally Nigeria is divided into a Muslim north and a Christian south. What should be a source of unbelievable innovation, has been a source of violent identity-based conflict.

At the consultation, International President of GPF, Jim Flynn told faith leaders, “Based on a common commitment to shared values and their own moral authority, religious leaders and traditional rules can serve as the conscience of the nation.” His statement speaks to Nigeria’s history of political corruption and religious conflict that has caused decades of instability. Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria echoed the call, “If we must build a new Nigeria, if we must build a great Nigeria, then all of us together must do everything it takes to build peace. Peace is necessary, peace is possible.” A new era for Nigeria would signify a new era for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria has incredible potential if it can secure peace. It is called the “Giant of Africa”. Reportedly, one of four Africans is Nigerian. It is also considered one of the “Next Eleven” economies, partially due to its rich oil reserves. Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter. It also has one of the fastest growing telecommunications markets in the world and has a thriving large agricultural base thanks to its tropical climate. Yet internal conflict, political instability and corruption have hindered Nigeria from fully exerting its potential.

Religious and traditional leaders at the high-level consultation on national unity in Nigeria concurred that all people are “one family under God”.

Today it ranks around 160th out of 177 countries on the scale of the Human Development Index, with nearly half its population living in poverty and an infant mortality rate of 80 deaths per 1,000.

Nigeria is a relatively young country, but has struggled to maintain stability. It was a British colony during the 19th and 20th century that gained

independence in 1960 after World War II.  Nigeria established itself as a Federal Republic in 1963. In 1967, the cessation of the region of Biafra led to the Nigerian Civil War. Before that, the government was passed from one military leader to another. The 30 month war claimed around 3 million. For the next three decades, Nigeria fought to move past corruption and a trend of military coups. The first recognized free and fair and election was held in 1999, nearly 33 years after Nigeria established nationhood. Since then, it has held four peaceful elections, but political instability and simmering divisions between religious and tribal communities continue.

The upcoming Global Peace Leadership Conference, to be held from November 7-9 in Abuja, will be an opportunity for religious leaders and leaders from every sector of Nigeria to commit to working for a common peace for their country. Furthermore, the conference will launch the African Leadership Mission, similar to the Latin American Presidential Mission. When the Giant of Africa joins forces with Kenya, the land of Harambee, it will bind Eastern Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa in a mission to bring peace across the African continent.

To register visit: www.globalpeace.org

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Youth stand hand in hand at a Rivers for Peace clean-up in Kenya. The world’s young people demand a paradigm shift. The world is hungry for development models that encompass the entire human experience.

17-year-old Brittany Trilford from New Zealand addressed world leaders at Rio+20. “In this moment, I am all children, your children, the world’s three billion children. Think of me for these short minutes as half the world. I stand here with fire in my heart. I’m confused and angry at the state of the world and I want us to work together now to change this.”

She spoke for the sons and daughters of the human family who are frustrated by an uncertain future. Current development models have not ensured everyone’s well-being, nor have they cared for our earth. The world’s children demand a paradigm shift.

The world is looking for development models that encompasses the breadth and scope of the human experience. New trends, such as the “green economy,” reflect the departure from isolated economic growth for more comprehensive, balanced and sustainable perspectives. Development must consider the spiritual and social dimensions of humanity, and it must preserve everyone’s shared heritage, the rich resources of the earth.

Moments like Rio+20 are reminders that more is needed than material goods and services for better lives. As sustainable development is defined, there is a need to clarify humanity’s direction and create the future that all of humankind wants to see.

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A Global Peace Festival Foundation volunteer connects with young Nepalese orphans at the Peace Children Home through music.

When I think about a mature person, I do not image someone who only knows a lot intellectually. I imagine someone who has deep empathy and a sense of responsibility.

Thus, when I consider education, I believe it has to start from the heart.

When I was in Harvard Business School, I had a professor who was really intelligent. But he  talked over our heads. He kept telling us, “You don’t understand a thing I say.” None of his students really liked him.

Then there was another professor. He wasn’t necessarily as brilliant, but he took the time to make sure we understood what he was teaching. He thought about how to teach the material so we could better grasp it.

In other words, a proficient intellect is not enough. A really smart, rational and logical guy cannot become a leader who moves people if he has not cultivated his heart.

As you pursue your education, or are educating those around you, don’t forget to invest in the many aspects of the human experience that is often overlooked in the pursuit of knowledge.

If we think deeply about what makes a model society, it is clear that invisible components such as our hearts, principles and values and vision, are important.

To build the world we wish to see, we need to consider the education of the heart.

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