Montevideo, Uruguay – On the theme “Peace Begins with Me,” UPF-Uruguay and partner organizations conducted a Peace Road event on November 16, 2024, at the Uruguay National Garden in Montevideo. It was a great celebration, featuring food stalls, a craft exhibition, talks on health and well-being, traditional gaucho dances, and a performance by the Youth and Students for Peace music group. More than 500 people attended this event, which began at 2:00 pm and continued till 7:30 pm.
Opening remarks were given by Rev. Seo Sung Jong, UPF sub-regional president; Dr. Carlos Flores Santos, ambassador for peace; Imam Yousaf Khan, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; and Prof. Raúl Rey, president of UPF-Uruguay. An opening prayer was led by Rev. Kazuhiro Tsusaka, president of FFWPU Uruguay.
Imam Yousaf Khan shared his reflections on the importance of building bridges of peace through interreligious dialogue. Rev. Tsusaka warmly greeted all the participants of the Peace Road and highlighted the value of actively participating in dialogue and the search for peace.
More than 40 participants, including adults, youth and children, walked or cycled from the National Garden to the Legislative Palace and back. Overcoming the heat and city traffic, they covered approximately 10 kilometers round trip.
Uruguay joined this global campaign in 2015, participating in annual walks and bike rides in various forms since then. This year’s theme stressed that the best way to promote a culture of peace and cooperation is by taking responsibility through one’s own example in relating to other people and the environment.
