Well-wishers Celebrate UPF-Czech Republic’s 20 Years of Service
- khwang562
- Nov 5
- 2 min read
Prague, Czech Republic – A commemorative meeting to mark the 20-year anniversary of the founding of UPF-Czech Republic drew a capacity audience at the Embassy of Peace in Prague on November 5, 2025.
Mr. Martin Slezák served as MC, guiding the audience through the program, which was accompanied by musical performances by professional young artists.
After the opening musical interlude for two violins performed by Mr. Kristian Strkula, a student at the music high school, and Ms. Eva Pejkovski, a member of the orchestra in Prague, Mrs. Erika Lajdová presented excerpts from Rev. Sun Myung Moon's UPF founding address, “God's Ideal Family: A Model for World Peace.”
Then followed a short video explaining the founding of UPF and its international activities.
Dr. Juraj Lajda, UPF-Czech Republic president, described the guiding principles, mission and activities of UPF, domestically and internationally. He explained that, as a result of its activities in 182 countries, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has granted UPF general consultative status with the United Nations.
Dr. Lajda explained that more than 200 events – lectures, seminars, conferences, discussions, meetings, projects and initiatives – have been carried out by the national chapter of UPF.
Activities include annual Interfaith Harmony Week celebrations, carried out in cooperation with other organizations for the past 12 years, and the study of World Scriptures with representatives of various religions. Equally important is the Peace Road Project, which in recent years has been organized jointly with UPF chapters in Austria, Germany and Slovakia. Also, the Central European Initiative is a project among the Vysegrad 4 countries – Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
Rev. Mikuláš Vymětal, pastor for minorities of the Czech Brethren Evangelical Church, and Ms. Suzana Strkulová, president of FFWPU, delivered congratulatory remarks.
Rev. Vymětal highlighted UPF's tireless efforts in the field of interfaith dialogue, which encompasses all religions, and Ms. Strkulová emphasized UPF's peacebuilding role in cooperation with other organizations.
Two Korean songs, beautifully sung by Korean students, rounded off the event.
The program was greatly appreciated; as the former rector of a private university expressed it, "Great work and effort over 20 years with excellent leadership have borne fruit.“
