The Global Peace Festival 2008 in the United Kingdom was a sell-out event with a capacity audience at the Peace Celebration on November 22 at the London ExCel Center. Together with the main event there were six focus sessions of 200 delegates each, an art exhibition, and exhibition stalls.

The Global Peace Festival in London brought together Ambassadors for Peace from throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to a wide range activities from conferences in elegant settings to service projects in inner-city parks and a rousing concert in the ExCel center, one of London’s newest and hottest venues.

International Leadership Conference

The International Leadership Conference in the legendary Palm Court Terrace at the London Waldorf Hotel. A favorite retreat for Oscar Wilde and other literary giants, the room also doubled as the state room in the 1954 film Titanic.

Senior statesmen spoke about their experiences addressing a variety of conflict situations, hoping that a new generation of leaders will benefit from their insights. Jan-Willem Bertens, a former Dutch Ambassador in Central America, described working behind the scenes to defuse tensions and bring armed conflicting parties together. H.E. Alfred Moisiu, former president of Albania, talked about ways people in the Balkans have been working together to rise above historic conflicts.

Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Secretary General of UPF, spoke about the needs for a universal values-based approach to form a basis for people of diverse races, religions, and nations to live together in peace. Mwalagho Kililo, Secretary General, UPF-Africa, explored the spiritual foundations of leadership and presentations about UPF’s understanding of the root cause of conflict and the principles of restoration were given by Mr. Jack Corley and Mr. Michael Balcomb.

Other speakers included Ambassador Makarim Wibisono, former president of the UN Human Rights Council, and Rev. Marcus Braybrooke of the World Congress of Faiths, who spoke about the spiritual impulse behind the creation of the United Nations. Youth representatives from six religious traditions said that young people had a particular responsibility and opportunity to move beyond barriers created by differing religious practices and rituals, and allow the wisdom and universal values of their religions to promote human rights and dignity.

A second session reviewed the quest for common values in Europe throughout 2008, which has been designated the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Iman Abduljalil Sajid, Chair of the Task Force for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, challenged the audience to seek new opportunities for interaction among different cultures.

Focus Groups

Focus groups addressed topics of broad interest: women’s peace initiatives, marriage and family, interfaith, community cohesion, peace and development, and the environment. Each forum attracted at least 200 participants.

Two Members of Parliament from the UK and one from Germany spoke at the Community Cohesion Focus Group on issues facing immigrant and minority communities. Tom Brake talked about countering the growing alienation, segregation, and lack of cohesion in his own district in England as well as urban Europe in general. Andrew Pelling described the need to offer young people positive role models and direction, and Bayram Inan described the challenges facing Turkish immigrants in Germany. Service project organizers, women activists, and religious leaders described ways they are building ongoing connections among people of diverse social, economic, and religious backgrounds.

At the Interfaith Focus Group, various approaches to interfaith work were presented. Speakers explored the potential benefits that cultural diversity can bring to communities, emphasizing the need to incorporate the entire spectrum of a community in ways that address the needs of all. Examples were given of bringing people together through housing projects in Northern Ireland and interfaith youth service projects.

The Marriage and Family Focus Group featured presentations about marriage preparation and marriage enrichment programs. Statistics show that such programs help reduce the probability of divorce. “Stable families are the building blocks of a peaceful society; it behooves a country to look carefully at how these can be nurtured,” according to Edward Hartley, chairman of UPF-UK Marriage and Family Initiative.  

The Main Event

At 4:30 PM people began entering the exhibition hall at the ExCel Centre for the main event. Art exhibits and a dozen information booths from various GPF partners on themes of peace attracted much attention.

The 3,000 seats in the auditorium quickly filled up, and another 1,000 people watched the program on a screen in an overflow room. Musicians from various backgrounds and styles performed, to the delight of the audience. Dhol drums and bagpipes opened with an exciting East/West fusion performance, followed by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Eaton playing Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony.”

Then top UK soul singer Ola Onabule and the Austrian Peace Choir took to the stage to sing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Other singers included “New Generation” from the DaVinci’s band, Dawud Wharnsby, Steve Balsamo and The Storys, the rising teen rap star Chipmunk, and Patti Boulaye, a popular singer also known for her charity work in Africa.

Jhr. Drs. Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland, a former Dutch government minister, welcomed Global Peace Festival Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who spoke extemporaneously on the theme of “One Family Under God,” a message he has been delivering throughout the year to Global Peace Festivals on five continents. He called upon the crowd to make a commitment to interfaith unity, strong families, and selfless service.

This keynote address was followed by Beatles tribute band Bernie and the Peacemakers featuring Simon and Jo, Twist and Jive champion dancers. The music and the moves proved irresistible, and people of all ages got out of their seats to dance and mingle with one another to some of the most memorable songs. For once, it was not a "Hard Day’s Night," and the evening concluded happily with the appointments of many new Ambassadors for Peace.

Following the success of GPF London, organizers say they are already making plans for a much larger festival in 2010.