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Realizing the vision of one family under God may seem like a lofty goal, but it begins in each of us, with a change of heart.  One young woman experienced this change and saw the vision make a very real impact on her life in her home country of Malaysia.

People volunteering and working with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia describe the “work” environment to be more like home than an office. “As an intern, I was able to witness this family spirit first hand in the organization’s day-to-day interactions,” said Iman, a recent intern.

Iman Ashraf, a former intern at Global Peace Foundation in Malaysia

Iman completed her internship with GPF, but she continues to be a part of the family. She shared her testimony:

It doesn’t matter what background you come from, your religion, skin color, or political affiliation; everyone is treated like they are a part of the team. We get to brainstorm ideas together and share our experiences, both personal and professional, during the weekly meetings. It is that spirit of togetherness that makes everyone feel at home.

One of the very fond memories I have from this experience is representing GPF at public events. Not only were those events a firsthand experience in the corporate world, they were also very personal in their own way to me. Speaking on behalf of GPF to other companies and being able to explain the kind of charity work we do every day was certainly a highlight in my internship. I not only had to garner the confidence to speak to industry professionals on the spot, but I also had to step up my social skills. By the end of those events, I discovered aspects about myself that I never knew existed before. I was never going to be able to accomplish that if I did not feel the support of everyone around me. I knew that even if words failed me, my seniors at GPF would back me up at any time. I made mistakes and learned on the job.

It is sad that my internship at GPF has ended; however, unlike other organizations, GPF has a unique trait of keeping its old staff and interns close by. One can always come back as a volunteer or even make a casual visit and catch up with everyone at the office. The people in the office are always welcoming, and love good company.

I am grateful to everyone for their kind support, and I am excited to enter the next chapter of my life, using all the knowledge and experience I have gained from GPF.

Iman Ashraf (front, second from left) with her diverse GPF Malaysia family

GPF has a vast number of projects taking place around the world, from models of development bringing clean water to remote villages in Malaysia to resolving violent conflict through interfaith collaboration in Nigeria, but at the heart of it all is this vision of “one family under God.”

Being a part of the projects is a transformative experience for the organizers, volunteers, interns, and all the participants. The projects are not just a peacebuilding program, or a service project or conference, they are an experience that makes the vision of “One Family under God” tangible, a change of heart that affirms that we are all connected as a family.

At the core of GPF’s leadership development is the motivation tied to such a transformation that also builds skills and confidence not just for organizers, but volunteers and even service recipients, so the seed of peace and development grows carries with owners of the vision into communities around the world.

Peace cannot happen overnight, but the building blocks start with one person at a time expanding their view of who is a part of their family.

How can you expand your view of family?

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

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The Kenyan Standard Digital published an article that featured an approach to identity-based conflict and religious radicalism presented by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, at Global Peace Convention 2013 held in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Interfaith leaders and Global Peace Foundation leaders at the pivotal Global Peace Leadership Conference in Abuja, Nigeria in 2013 to launch the One Family Under God campaign.

The article entitled, “Fanatics blamed for inter-faith conflicts” cited images of the Westgate Mall terrorist attacks on September 21, 2013 as a chilling reminder of the real and close threat of radicalism not just Africa, but around the world.

Dr. Manu Chandaria, CEO Comcraft Group and Special Advisor of GPF Africa presents Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, with the award conferred to the Global Peace Foundation Kenya in 2013 by the United Nations for effort with youth and peace.

Dr. Moon made a compelling case for religious cooperation centered on universal principles and values to counter divisive sectarianism. He observed that political and diplomatic approaches have been limited when confronting the complex and wide-spread nature of identity-based conflict.

“The threat of sectarian extremism will never be resolved by political or economic means alone. A true and lasting resolution must be rooted in faith, expressed through practical spirituality.”

Two emerging African models of such cooperation are in Kenya and Nigeria. Dr. Chandaria, Chairman of Global Peace Foundation Kenya and CEO of Comcraft Group described GPF’s work in Kenya. After the post-election violence in 2007-2009, GPF worked with the leadership of former President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minsiter Raila Odinga to create national unity through volunteer and civic engagement and character education initiatives. GPF’s efforts have been credited for securing peaceful elections in 2013.

In Nigeria, the Global Peace Foundation is rallying with Christian pastors and Muslims Imams to push back against religious radicalism by promoting social cohesion based on the vision that all humanity, not matter their religion, nationality, race or culture is One Family Under God.

Standard Digital cited these two examples of practical expressions of spirituality that is bringing peace in a real way.

Read the report on www.globalpeace.org.

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“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Teresa

 The 2012 UNIFEM report entitled “Women, War and Peace” observed that the quality and implementation of peace agreements were drastically improved when women were involved.  A recent post on the Global Peace Foundation offers some explanation of what women bring to the table when they engage in peacebuilding. The post is based on remarks of the wife of Vice-President of Nigeria and founder of I-CARE Women & Youths Initiative, and more recently patron of the newest chapter of Global Peace Women in Nigeria, H.E. Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, at the women’s session of the Global Peace Convention 2013.

First, says H.E. Hajiya Sambo, women possess “God-given qualities that facilitate peace building and conflict resolution.” She describes women as innately empathetic, and lend a helping hand to others. For example, a mother will “rise above self-interest,” to place the interests her family before her own. According to H.E. Hajiya Sambo, women are also honest, forthright, patient, and compassionate. These characteristics make women effective facilitators and collaborators. H.E. Hajiya Sambo strongly suggests that women be allowed to apply these unique qualities in multiple venues such as public office, community service, and family.

While she challenges traditional views of women by strongly advocating for women in public roles, H.E. Hajiya Sambo also affirms women’s “God-given role to be mothers”. She calls the family “the basic tool for peace” and places women at the center. She describes how mothers secure peace at home and educate the next generation with the values of peace. To this end, she encourages women to seek for peace in themselves as they advocate peace to their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons. As the heart of the family, women are key players both in fostering the culture of peace and implementing peace policies. It has been proven that through grass-roots networks of women and families, policies can be widely and effectively implemented with little resources. Thus, the second reason why women are important in peacebuilding is because they are crucial players in the family.

“The importance of women in building sustainable peace in the world can no longer be overlooked”, says H.E. Hajiya Sambo. Women’s role in the family and their unique God-given abilities open the way for humanity to reconnect and remember that “we belong to each other.”

Through ICare Women and Youth, initiated after seeing firsthand the situation of women in Nigeria during a visit to all 23 local governments, H.E. Hajiya Sambo has worked to tackle poverty and inequality of women by increasing women’s participation in decision making in the family and larger society. ICare offers skills training to help women strengthen the economic foundation of their families, as well as education on issues such as malaria, AIDS and basic health and sanitation.

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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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“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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During the Global Peace Convention 2013 held in the Shangri La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bishop Sunday Onuoha spoke at the second plenary.

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The following video is a 2013 Global Peace Convention closing speech delivered by Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon held at the Shangri La Hotel, Malaysia.

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The following video is a 2013 Global Peace Convention speech delivered by Dr. Manilal Chandaria held at the Shangri La Hotel, Malaysia.

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The following video is a 2013 Global Peace Convention speech delivered by Dr. Marsudi Syuhud held at the Shangri La Hotel, Malaysia.

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