Zambia Celebration Lauds Peace Efforts of the UN and UPF
- khwang562
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Lusaka, Zambia – UPF-Zambia joined the global community in celebrating three historic occasions: the United Nations International Day of Peace under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” observed on September 21; the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations under the theme “Building Our Future Together”; and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Universal Peace Federation on September 12, 2005, in New York by Rev. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han.
The celebration, held on September 25, 2025, at the Peace Embassy in Lusaka, gathered religious leaders – Christians, Muslims and Jews – academicians, civic leaders, students and youth representatives, politicians, artists, and peace advocates.
Mr. Ackson Mwale, director of couples’ education for UPF, served as MC and offered an opening prayer. This was followed by opening remarks from Mr. Mweelwa Muleya, guest of honor and director of education, training and advocacy at the Human Rights Commission of Zambia.
In his key message, Mr. Muleya said that peace is not only the absence of conflict but the active pursuit of understanding, empathy, and cooperation. He said the United Nations has played a vital role in advancing global peace and security, and UPF has been instrumental in fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation. He emphasized that the future of peacebuilding depends on education, cultural exchange, and interfaith dialogue. Finally, he urged that every individual and community must become agents of peace.
The program included a lively rendition of “We Are the World” by a youth choir; a video message from Dr. Tageldin Hamad, president of UPF-International; the reading of a message from Ambassador Adama Doumbia, president of UPF-Africa; a video presentation introducing UPF; and a presentation on the Five Principles of Peace by Rev. Lawrence Banda, vice secretary general of UPF-Zambia. In his presentation, Rev. Banda put forth that God is the parent of humankind, humans are essentially spiritual in nature, and marriage is a sacred institution. He described the family as a school of love, and God’s ideal as a world where everyone lives for the sake of others. Finally, he explained that interreligious and international cooperation are essential to world peace.
An interactive session followed with questions, answers, and participant contributions. In their discussions, participants called for reform of the United Nations, including the establishment of a Religious Council within the UN to provide guidance on peace, morality, and interfaith cooperation.
The event concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony marking the anniversaries, and a group photo session to close the program.
Mr. Ram Auerbach, chairman of the Jewish Board of Deputies and a UPF ambassador for peace, said of the event: “It was a privilege to be present and to witness the commitment of all gathered toward peace, unity, and the advancement of interfaith dialogue. We also take this moment to express our gratitude for the ongoing efforts of UPF in building bridges between communities, families, and nations. We look forward to continuing this journey together and working hand in hand to ensure that the values of peace and mutual respect remain strong in Zambia, Africa, and the wider world.”
The commemoration united leaders and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds in reaffirming the importance of peace, dialogue, and cooperation. The event highlighted the enduring significance of the United Nations and UPF in advancing peace both in Zambia and globally.
