If looked upon in a certain way, the history of humankind is a history of war. Since the beginning of history, war, conflict and killing has never stopped. Even in 2016, the smoke from gunpowder covers the earth. The Iraqi Army commenced its retaking operation of the focus city of the Islamic State (IS), Mosul, Iraq, on the 17^th of October. A result of 10,000 refugees fleeing due to the full-scale offensive of government forces, one million residents were detained in Mosul, terror-stricken. Even the Korean peninsula suffers unrest because of the nuclear weapons experiments in the North.

Whether by political purpose, economic restructuring or religious conflict, the causes of war and dispute still lurk as though hidden in a minefield. Every year, Sunhak Peace Prize winners are selected, and this year, the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, has accepted the honor of being a recipient of the prize, due to special recognition for his noteworthy effort to finish the longstanding civil war with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that has persisted for 52 years.

Yet, a peaceful world still remains a far-off vision. It doesn’t simply happen through the devotion by a few pacifists or organizations. In that sense, world politicians have held their flags of peace and formed an organization, receiving much attention.

The first button was fastened in our country. On the 15^th of February, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, a resolution event to support the founding of an “International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.” At this event, 450 people from 60 countries around the world attended, including 150 Parliamentarians from 40 different countries, journalists and religious leaders. From our country, the Chairman of Parliament at the time, Ui-Hwa Jeong, the Vice-Chairman of Parliament, Gab-Yoon Jeong and the Korean President of the Council on Foreign Relations, Tae-Ik Jeong, participated, giving their congratulatory messages. The International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace is opening foundation ceremonies in many regions of the world, with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) leading the way. This project is taking place in commemoration of the 4^th anniversary of the passing of the Founder of UPF, Reverend Sun Myung Moon.

The South American Foundation Ceremony of the International Association of Parliamentarians for  Peace took place in Asuncion, Paraguay, on the 10^th of October. 

The International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace was put into motion based on the awareness that a single organization of world Parliamentarians for eternal world peace was needed. Its purpose is for international representatives to jointly cope with the threats that disrupt world peace, such as territorial disputes, racial tensions, violence, extremism, poverty and famine, as well as the spread of nuclear weapons.

First of all, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in the Asia and Oceania held its foundation ceremony through the International Leadership Conference (ILC) event in Kathmandu, Nepal, from the 28^th to the 30^th of July. At the event, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sharma Olli and his wife, the former President of the Marshall Islands, Kessay Nort, as well as the former President of Kiribati, Anote Tong, participated. In addition, the former Chairman of Parliament of the Philippines, the Honorable Jose de Venezia, the International President of UPF, Thomas Walsh and 500 representatives from 29 countries, including India, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand, attended. Reading the keynote address on behalf of UPF President Dr. Hak Ja Han, International President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace Yeon-Ah Moon said, “Peace doesn’t end when violent dispute and conflict goes away, but can be reached through harmony, balance, mutual respect and altruism,” and further emphasized, “If the parliamentarians of the world cooperate for peace, then this world can be changed.”

The West and Central African Foundation Ceremony took place at the International Leadership Conference event in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from the 8^th to 10^th of August. At the event, 400 people attended, including 160 Parliamentarians from 24 countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana and Gabon, as well as 10 current and former ministers. Through his congratulatory message, the former President of Mali, Diokhunda Traole said, “The members of humankind are connected to each other, and must overcome boundaries to protect the people through a common law”, and further stressed, “Peace is a synonym of development. Without peace, there is no development, and without development there is no peace. Poverty doesn’t exist because of the lack of resources, but because leaders do not do the right things.”

From the 7^th to 9^th of September, the Europe, Eurasia, Middle East and Northern Africa International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace Foundation Ceremony took place at the National Assembly in London, which is widely referred to as the “Mother of Parliament.” At the time, the event was attended by former Albanian President Alfred Moisiu, former Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu and the International Chairperson of UPF, Sun-Jin Moon. In addition, the event was also joined by 150 people, including parliamentarians and religious leaders from 40 countries, including England, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Hungary and Turkey. At the discussion, Former Albanian President Alfred Moisiu said, “When a problem exists, having politicians meet to debate about it is the shortcut to solving the problem,” further emphasizing the importance of politicians for peace. Israeli Parliamentarian Hillick Bahr especially said, “One very serious problem in the Middle East is the conflict between Israel and Palestine,” and added, “The solution would be for Israel and Palestine to fulfill existing written promises.”