The solidarity of parliamentarians all over the world is being actualized for the realization of world peace. Beginning with Asia, “International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace” chapters are being launched on each continent, forming an international network.

These series of events were commenced when the President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Dr. Hak Ja Han, presented the activity directive for the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace by saying, “The International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, which consists of representatives chosen by the citizens of each country, must play the role of the United Nations of Abel” at the “Vision 2020 Special Strategy Nation Selection Conference” that was held on the 17^th of July.

The International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace came into motion when representatives from countries all over the world empathized the necessity of an international network that would provide solidarity and a joint alliance for peace, especially in the face of conflicts that threaten the realization of a world of peace and human development, such as territorial disputes, religious conflicts, racial tensions, climate change, terrorism, nuclear threats, poverty and famine. The networks especially pursue a path to coexistence, mutual prosperity and the development of mankind, in order to construct a sustainable and everlasting world of peace that we can bequeath to our future generations. It was seen that an organization of parliamentarians was needed on a worldwide dimension, resulting in the founding of a chapter in each area.

These are taking place due to the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace Launching Support Resolution event that was held at the National Assembly in Seoul on the 15^th of February. At this event, then-Chairman of the National Assembly Ui-hwa Jeong, Vice-Speaker Gab-Yoon Jeong, and the Korean Council of Foreign Relations President, Tae-Ik Jeong, attended, and through their congratulatory messages, emphasized the importance of the International Leadership Conference.

The Asia-Oceania International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace was established through the International Leadership Conference that took place from the 28^th to the 30^th of July in Kathmandu, Nepal, followed by the main launching ceremony held in West and Central Africa from the 8^th to the 10^th of August at the Burkina Faso National Assembly, located in Ouagadougou.

At the ILC and International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace events hosted by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), 500 people participated, which included 166 representatives from 29 countries, including India, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

At the launching ceremony of the West and Central African chapter of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, 160 representatives from 24 countries, as well as 400 figures from various fields, attended the event.

At the launching ceremony of the Europe, Eurasia, Middle East and North African chapters of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace that took place from the 7^th to the 9^th of September in London, seven senators and representatives from England and 150 former ministers, congressmen, ambassadors, professors and religious leaders from 40 countries, including European countries such as Germany and France, Middle Eastern countries such as Israel and Jordan and North African countries such as Egypt.

At this event, through her keynote speech read by UPF International President Sun-Jin Moon, Dr. Hak Ja Han, Co-founder of the UPF, said, “In order to create an everlasting world of peace, the leaders that are responsible for the politics of each country must show good character and follow the voice of their conscience, as well as the values of ethics,” and further emphasized the importance of the founding of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace by adding, “If the parliamentarians of the world are to become one and cooperate with one another for peace, the world we know today will see a change.”

From the 6^th to the 8^th of October, in Costa Rica, the International Leadership Conference and “Central America and Caribbean Region International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace Launching Ceremony” took place. At the event, 250 cabinet members, congressmen and mayors from 20 countries, including Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, participated to discuss peace. And, in addition, it was also attended by the Chairman of the World Peace Martial Arts Federation, Kwon-Jin Moon, Latin American President of UPF Chang-Shik Yang and Central American President of UPF Sang-Seuk Kim.

A group photo of congressmen and participants from various countries that attended the launching ceremony for the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace for Central America and the Caribbean Region that took place in Costa Rica.

During the launching event of the parliamentarian federations, the National Assembly of Costa Rica expressed its gratitude toward the efforts made by Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han for the realization of peace, and through an internal vote of the Assembly, presented a “special peace achievement award” to Dr. Hak Ja Han.

Through her keynote address read by the Chairman of the World Peace Martial Arts Federation, Kwon-Jin Moon, Dr. Hak Ja Han said, “The role of congressmen is especially important in creating a world of peace,” and appealed to the representatives participating by adding, “To establish a world of peace, certain ground rules must be adhered to, such as the pursuit of public interests, the improvement of the sense of responsibility, the conciliation between congressmen, the respect of human rights and constitutionalism.”

From the 10^th to the 12^th of October, an International Leadership Conference and the launching ceremony of the South American chapter of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace took place in the main conference room of the National Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay. At this South American launching ceremony, 300 guests participated, including the Vice-President and the President of Senate of Paraguay, cabinet members, congressmen and mayors from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela, the International President of the UPF, Dr. Thomas Walsh, Latin American President of the UPF Chang-Shik Yang and South American President of UPF Dong-Mo Shin.

At the launching ceremony held at the National Assembly of Paraguay, Paraguayan senators and representatives presented Reverend Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han with a “special peace achievement award of peace,” emulating their vested effort in realizing world pace and the value of family.

Through her keynote address read by the Chairman of the Martial Arts Federation, Kwon-Jin Moon, Dr. Hak Ja Han said, “I wish the South American parliamentarian federation can be established, representing the 7.3 billion people living in this world,” and emphasized, “Leaders must maintain a good character and protect the values of ethics by listening the voice of one’s conscience.” Dr. Han then added, “Everyone must sincerely exert their best efforts in order to become an ideal husband and wife, a family, a society and ultimately, a nation of True Love.”...[See the original story]