Global Peace Festival
Encyclopedia
The Global Peace Festival is a series of festivals intended to promote world peace and cooperation under the motto “One Family under God.” It was begun in 2007 and has been backed by the Unification Church
. In 2008 festivals were held in North America, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Its London 2008 festival was organized by the Universal Peace Federation
, which was founded by church leader Sun Myung Moon
. Ida Odinga, the wife of Kenya
’s Prime Minister, spoke at the festival in London
that year and praised an earlier festival held in her country.
A November 2008 festival in Roxas City
in the Philippines was criticized by the Catholic Church but supported by local business people. The president of Taiwan
Ma Ying-jeou
spoke at the festival which was held in Taipei
October 31, 2009. He addressed the importance of freedom, democracy and peace; and said that his government was a "peace maker."
A Global Peace Convention, sponsored by the Global Peace Festival Foundation, was held in November, 2010 in Kenya
. Among the speakers was Kenya's president, Mwai Kibaki
. The South Asia Regional Level Global Peace Festival was held in Nepal
from 30 September to 2 October 2010.
The GPF theme song, "Where Peace Begins," was written by Trina Belamide
of the Philippines.
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
. In 2008 festivals were held in North America, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Its London 2008 festival was organized by the Universal Peace Federation
Universal Peace Federation
There are a number of organizations founded, run, or supported by Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church. Commentators have mentioned Moon's belief in a literal Kingdom of God on earth to be brought about by human effort as a motivation for his establishment of groups that are not...
, which was founded by church leader Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon is the Korean founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church. He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects...
. Ida Odinga, the wife of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
’s Prime Minister, spoke at the festival in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
that year and praised an earlier festival held in her country.
A November 2008 festival in Roxas City
Roxas City
Roxas City is a medium-sized city in the province of Capiz, Philippines. It is the provincial capital and a component city. , the city mayor is former city vice mayor Angel Alan Celino who was elected during the 2010 election....
in the Philippines was criticized by the Catholic Church but supported by local business people. The president of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou
Ma Ying-jeou is the 12th term and current President of the Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, and the Chairman of the Kuomintang Party, also known as the Chinese Nationalist Party. He formerly served as Justice Minister from 1993 to 1996, Mayor of Taipei from 1998 to 2006, and Chairman...
spoke at the festival which was held in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
October 31, 2009. He addressed the importance of freedom, democracy and peace; and said that his government was a "peace maker."
A Global Peace Convention, sponsored by the Global Peace Festival Foundation, was held in November, 2010 in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Among the speakers was Kenya's president, Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki
Mwai Kibaki is the current and third President of the republic of Kenya.Kibaki was previously Vice President of Kenya for ten years from 1978–1988 and also held cabinet ministerial positions, including a widely acclaimed stint as Minister for Finance , Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for...
. The South Asia Regional Level Global Peace Festival was held in Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
from 30 September to 2 October 2010.
The GPF theme song, "Where Peace Begins," was written by Trina Belamide
Trina Belamide
Trina Belamide is a Filipino songwriter and record producer. According to the Manila Times she has written songs for most of the Philippines' top recording artists....
of the Philippines.