Paris, France—“Hope Stronger Than Ever” was the theme of a program commemorating the 11th anniversary of the passing of UPF co-founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon.
UPF organized the event together with two affiliated organizations: Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP).
About 40 people attended the program, which was held on September 2, 2023, at the Espace Barrault conference center.
With the help of Victor Rengnez of UPF-France, the well-structured, well-organized and well-intentioned event combined testimonies, videos, songs and two short presentations.
The first part of the program focused on Dr. Moon’s life and legacy.
Chamsamone Voravong, the former president of Forum of International Organizations of Migration Issues (FORIM), who is originally from Laos, recalled accompanying Prince Sauryavong Savang of Laos on a visit to North Korea in 1994. The visit had been set up by Dr. Antonio Betancourt, executive director of the Summit Council for World Peace, one of the UPF associations, and resulted in a meeting with Chairman Kim Il Sung.
A video on Dr. Moon’s life was followed by a 1972 recording of a U.S. television program on which Dr. Moon was interviewed by the cartoonist and television personality Al Capp.
Brigitte Wada, the president of WFWP-France, gave a testimony of attending Dr. Moon’s last public speech in July 2012.
Dr. Laurent Ladouce, director of the Centre for Culture and Peace, Paris, gave a brief introduction to Dr. Moon’s philosophy of peace.
The second part focused on the achievements of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in the 11 years since her husband’s passing.
David Perry, the president of FFWPU-France, spoke of her stepping up and assuming responsibility when many doubted her. He listed Mrs. Moon’s numerous meetings with heads of state and her giving the Marriage Blessing to large groups around the world. He spoke of her next big project, the Cheon Won Gung, the temple in South Korea where all of humankind can come to experience God’s presence.
Then several Ambassadors for Peace and VIPs testified about their association with UPF and affiliated organizations in the years after Dr. Moon’s ascension.
Calls to action followed from: Jean-François Moulinet, who spoke of his interreligious meetings with the UPF initiative Dialogue and Alliance; Dr. Laurent Ladouce, who introduced his monthly presentations on Unification Thought; and Brigitte Wada, who spoke of WFWP projects.
To conclude the program, the participants sang together the Korean song “Saranghae” (“I Love You”), which left one participant in tears. A Korean buffet was then served.
