Monrovia – The Universal Peace Federation (UPF), has applauded the leadership and members of the Liberian House of Representatives who recently endorsed recommendations aimed at the launch of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in Liberia as well as a Partnership Assessment Visit aimed at enhancing a smooth working relationship among the leaderships of the Liberian Legislature, International Parliamentarians Association for Peace (IAPP) and the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).
A UPF communication issued in Monrovia over the weekend quotes its Chairman, Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, as expressing delight that the 54th Liberian Legislature has further consented to hosting a conference in Liberia which would have as its theme: “National Post-Elections Dialogue,” featuring the Family, Peace and Good Governance: the Role of Parliamentarians.
Recently, UPF International consented to working in partnership and cooperation with the Liberian Legislature for implementation of a joint program dedicated to launching the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) in Liberia.
The joint peace building and development initiative which was proposed by the Speaker of the Liberian House of Representatives (Legislature), Dr. Bohfal Chambers, is in line with UPF’s support for peace consolidation and sustainability in Liberia as well as its outreach peace initiatives in Africa and the world.
Dr. Chambers’ proposal was contained in a communication addressed to the Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, who had earlier applauded Ambassador George Manneh Weah and Madam Jewel Howard Taylor for their election and subsequent inauguration as president and vice president of Liberia respectively.
The UPF Chairman, in said communication, inviting the Liberian House Speaker to the recent Special International Leadership Conference held in Seoul, South Korea, also underscored UPF desire in working with the Government of Liberia to consolidate and sustain peaceful coexistence and development in the Mano River Union (MRU) basin, including Guinea and Sierra Leone that recently suffered the lethal EBOLA virus outbreak, which left behind scars of human development catastrophe and a broken regional economy.
However, the Co-chairman of the Committee on Peace, Religion and National Reconciliation of the House of Representatives, Dr. Isaac Roland, attended the Special International Leadership Conference as a Proxy of House Speaker, Dr. Bohfal Chambers, who was invited as a Guest of Honor.
Held on the Theme: “Addressing the Critical Challenges of our Time: The Responsibility of Parliamentarians and Religious Leaders,” the conference which brought together more than 500 parliamentarians and other world leaders including civil society personalities, academics and other professionals took place from February 18-22, 2018.
According to the release, the International Leadership Conference (ILC) has been the foundation and a flagship program of the Universal Peace Federation since its establishment decades ago for a wide range of initiatives, including the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, the World Summit series, as well as many other programs in which more than 50 legislators and experts from Liberia participated.
During the occasion, Dr. Roland did not only participate in discussions aimed at finding innovative solutions to some of the critical issues that the world faces from climate change to the rise of extremist ideologies, humanitarian disasters, and conflict but also participated in the launch of the nomination process for the 2019 Sunhak Peace Prize, a special segment of the ILC program that honors exemplary individuals and organizations that work for universal peace and development.
While in Seoul, Dr. Isaac Roland, on behalf of the Speaker and Members of the Legislature and the Government of Liberia, held a meeting with the leadership of UPF International. During the meeting Dr. Roland extended compliments and profound congratulations to UPF on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of its Founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon, renowned global campaigners for world peace and development.
The Liberian House Speaker emphasized that the world is indeed inspired by UPF Founders’ vision of “True Love & One Family Under God”, as is being exemplified by the enduring leadership of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and the massive investments toward the promotion of global peace & universal values which applications are beyond boundaries.
“We in Liberia bear witness of your lifelong dedication and contribution toward the promotion of Universal Peace, and celebrate your legacy, which is rooted in the core principle of “Living for the Sake of Others”, Dr. Chambers said.
UPF has over the years made significant peacebuilding contributions to Liberia including support through its subsidiary groups such as the Interreligious & International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), – Leadership Education Seminar held at the University of Liberia in Monrovia from December 21~22, 2000 on the theme: Building A Culture of Peace: Family, Character & Public Service; The convening of UPF International Leadership Conference at the Monrovia City Hall from February 9~11, 2006 on the theme: Challenges for Good Governance, Reconciliation & Peace for Liberia: The Role of Peace Councils, among others which imparts signify important milestones for peace consolidation and development in Liberia.