Australian Peace Ambassadors Commit to Working Together
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Sydney, Australia – UPF-Australia held a meaningful Ambassador for Peace meeting at its Peace Embassy in Sydney on March 30, 2026, bringing together leaders, guests and community members committed to building a more peaceful world. The program focused on practical approaches to peace through interfaith understanding, community wellbeing and youth service.
The meeting began with participants offering prayers according to their own faith traditions, reflecting the spirit of unity in diversity that UPF upholds. Mr. Santosh Neupane, secretary general of UPF-Oceania, then warmly welcomed everyone and emphasized the importance of coming together beyond religious, cultural and social differences. An introductory video about UPF followed, setting the tone for the evening by highlighting the shared vision of achieving lasting world peace through cooperation and mutual respect.
Mr. Greg Stone, president of UPF-Oceania, delivered a thoughtful presentation on the road to world peace, centering on the teachings of UPF founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han. He explained that although humanity holds diverse beliefs and perspectives, there remains a common ground that unites all people. He emphasized that lasting peace cannot be achieved without a strong spiritual foundation rooted in harmony, love and living for the sake of others.
Dr. Tuong Phan introduced the upcoming “Motherlove and Nurture” program scheduled for May 1, 2026, under the Schools for the Future initiative. She encouraged participants to embody compassion and care in their daily lives, highlighting that peace begins within the family and expands outward into society through nurturing relationships and values.
Dr. Wali Islam presented a practical and community-focused model titled “For Community, By Community.” He emphasized that strong and healthy communities are essential for building peaceful societies. His approach focused on empowering individuals at the local level through better nutrition, preventive health practices and sustainable wellbeing, stressing that real change must come from within the community itself.
Mr. Santosh Neupane also presented the upcoming Religious Youth Service (RYS) 2026, sharing his own experiences and the transformative impact of service-based learning. He highlighted how RYS helps young people develop empathy, leadership and a deeper understanding of different cultures and faiths. UPF-Australia is currently preparing for a one-day RYS project in 2026, and participants were invited to collaborate in identifying both a suitable venue and a meaningful service project area.
The discussion and reflection session was lively and heartfelt. Ms. Zafira Akbar shared a personal story about how her father introduced her to UPF and how attending RYS at the age of 18 significantly changed her perspective on peace and service. She reflected on how that experience shaped her values and life direction. Other ambassadors for peace and participants also shared their insights and experiences, highlighting the lasting impact of RYS in fostering unity, understanding and a spirit of service across communities.
In his closing remarks, Mr. John Adamedes, president of UPF-Australia, emphasized a simple yet powerful message that peace begins with each individual. He noted that peace does not start somewhere distant, but starts from “me.” He further highlighted that true peace is realized by learning to accept others as they are and genuinely loving them, even in the presence of differences. This mindset, he explained, is the foundation for creating harmony in families, communities and ultimately in the world.
The meeting concluded on a positive and hopeful note, reaffirming the shared commitment of all participants to work together in advancing peace. The program clearly demonstrated that while global challenges may be complex, the path toward peace begins with simple but powerful values such as understanding, compassion, service and acceptance.
