International Day of Peace programs took place in Bonn and Stuttgart.

Bonn

A very international group of people from Asia, Africa, and Europe celebrated the International Day of Peace 2012 with the theme of  “Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future” in Bonn on September 23 organized by the local chapters of UPF and the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

In the first part there were video and PowerPoint presentations on the history and the meaning of the International Day of Peace, on UN General-Secretary Ban Ki-moon's message for the day, and on activities in various German cities and schools related to the International Day of Peace.

In the second part we learned about the special activities of the Women’s Federation at the United Nations, the importance of women for the UN, and the women's assembly in July in Korea. This was followed by very moving report on the memorial service for UPF Founder Rev. Sun Myung Moon, which some of the participants had attended, and a short film about his life based on his autobiography, As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen.

There were beautiful songs, poems and peace prayers from different parts of the world. Children as young as three years old drew doves of peace. The event touched the hearts of the audience.

Stuttgart

An International Day of Peace forum took place in Stuttgart on September 22 and featured a lecture about how religion can promote peace and prayers from representatives of different religions.

For more reports about International Day of Peace 2012 programs click here.