Buenos Aires, Argentina – Prayers and messages for “peace in Argentina, the region and the world” dominated the 2024 International Day of Peace event organized by UPF-Argentina and the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) on September 25, 2024. It was held in the Peace Auditorium at Basilio Scientific School in Buenos Aires.
“On the International Day of Peace, we are grateful to receive you in this place called the Peace Auditorium, where different religious expressions join in the understanding and union of all human beings. We are united by one premise: peace,” said Mr. Enrique Peralta, first vice-president of the school, in his welcoming speech. Mr. Miguel Werner, UPF-Argentina president, emphasized the importance of spirituality, unity, prayer, and action for good, to light our inner flame and brighten our environment and the world, bringing sense, hope and love.
Representatives of eleven communities from various spiritual traditions and worldviews then offered their prayers. Before speaking, they each lit a candle as a symbol of faith and hope. The prayers began with Archbishop Carlos White of the Buenos Aires Archdiocese’s Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue Committee, and Imam Marwan Gill, president of the Ahmadia Muslim Community in Argentina.
They were followed by Mr. Daniel Lew, employment service secretary of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association; Ms. Karina de la Riba, secretary of the Africanist and Umbandist Social, Cultural, and Religious Group (ASRAU); Mr. Alan Walker, communications director at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Swami Purnabodhananda, vice president of the Ramakrishna Spiritual Home, Ramakrishna Ashrama Argentina.
Final prayers were offered by Mr. Gabriel Figueroa, representative of the Tibetan Buddhism Kagyu Tekchen Chöling Center; Ms. Esperanza Gómez, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Argentina; Pastor Jorge Haberstroh, representative of the New Apostolic Church; Ms. Rosalía Gutiérrez, general coordinator of the First American Nations Students Community (CEPNA) and representative of the Qulla People’s Worldview; and Sister María Luisa Fabaz, regional director of Basilio Scientific Church.
This fraternal event included two musical numbers, performed by the Solidarity Orchestra, led by Ms. Lucila Garibotto, and the Moronials Group, consisting of three brothers: Génesis, Eduardo and Enzo Morón.
The MCs were Mr. Emanuel Sayavedra, UPF-Argentina secretary general and YSP-Argentina president; and Ms. Andrea Fernández Bevans, director of the Communication Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires City and IAPD/UPF-Argentina coordinator.
To conclude, all participants joined in a group photo with the Peace Road banner, in support of this global campaign for peace.
The meeting included the reading of the UPF-International Statement on the 2024 International Day of Peace, which states that: “By standing together, we can transform our societies and inspire future generations to uphold the values of peace and unity, creating a true culture of peace as one human family.”
