Since its inception in 2005, the Universal Peace Federation has worked closely with parliamentarians around the world in pursuit of lasting peace based on universal principles.
On Feb. 15, 2016, some 150 parliamentarians, representing more than 40 nations, signed a resolution to form the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP). This event took place in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea at an International Leadership Conference.
The founders of the Universal Peace Federation, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, launched the global “Parliamentarians for Peace” initiative in 2001, based on the successful Ambassadors for Peace program.
The IAPP is intended to provide local, regional and international forums for parliamentarians to bring their experience and wisdom to bear in the search for solutions to our world’s problems.
Since the inauguration of IAPP in Seoul in February, regional chapters of IAPP have been launched in the Asian-Pacific, East African, West African, European, Central American and South American regions. A North American IAPP chapter will be created at the November 2016 International Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
Smaller IAPP chapters are being formed within the regions.
The co-chairmen of IAPP are former Indiana Rep. Dan Burton, a Republican, and former Philippines Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia.
These programs are bringing together parliamentarians from around the world, forming an international network of men and women who are committed to solving the critical challenges of our time and realizing a world of lasting peace.
The following text is from the Feb. 16, 2016, resolution forming the IAPP:
As we know, our world faces a wide range of problems, including territorial disputes, religious and racial conflict, environmental degradation, climate change, violent extremism, poverty, hunger, nuclear proliferation and corruption. Each of these is a serious threat to human development and to the realization of peace in our world.
As we gather in Seoul, we are especially mindful that the Korean Peninsula remains divided. North Korea continues to develop its nuclear weapons program, raising serious concerns all over the world that military tensions are rising throughout Northeast Asia. Even now, 60 years after the Korean War, it remains impossible to communicate or freely travel between the two nations. It is time for the international community to wholeheartedly contribute to the realization of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The division of the Korean Peninsula cannot be seen as a domestic issue; it is an urgent issue that requires the interest and cooperation of Asia and the entire world. It is time for humanity to embrace universally shared values. Let us work together, going beyond differences of ideology, race, nationality and religion. Let us show the example and pursue the path of mutual cooperation and mutual prosperity, building a world of lasting and sustainable peace that can be bequeathed to future generations.
Therefore, we, the more than 150 parliamentarians, representing more than 40 nations, who are participating in the 2016 International Leadership Conference on “Addressing the Critical Challenges of Our Time: The Role of Governments, Civil Society and Faith-Based Organizations,” convened in Seoul, Korea, keenly feel the necessity to form a world-level parliamentarian association through which we can work together for peace and human development.
Gathered at the Korean National Assembly, we hereby propose and resolve to establish the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.