On October 19, 2018, the Universal Peace Federation, together with the Ukrainian Peace Council, held an international conference "Towards Interdependence and Mutual Prosperity: the Role of Public, Youth and Spiritual Leaders." Over 300 people gathered in the assembly hall of the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University.
Honored Artist of Ukraine Ruslana Lotsman opened the conference with the national anthem. Subsequently, Volodymyr Novokhatsky, deputy head of the Ukrainian Peace Council, conveyed congratulations to the conference participants from the first President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk.
Then everybody heard greeting words from Jack Corley, chairman of the Universal Peace Federation of Eastern Europe. Having received the book of Leonid Kravchuk as a gift, Jack Corley promised to study Ukrainian.
Dr. Michael Balcomb, the European chair of the Federation, talked about the Peace Road project in the Balkans. More than 10 countries are located on the Balkan Peninsula, most of which are the former Yugoslavia. After the brutal war in the 1990's, the smoldering conflict continues, as different religions and ethnic groups coexist on the small peninsula. The international peacebuilding project that started this year proved to be promising.
Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Doctor of Law, Ihor Onyshchuk, spoke about the role of religious leaders in achieving peace and harmony. In particular, about 5 principles of peace of Pope John Paul II. Igor Onyshchuk received the "Ambassador for Peace" award this time. Also nine prominent Ukrainian women were awarded with this honorary title.
Korean Youth Ambassador for Peace Bok Jin Chung spoke about the role of Ukrainian youth and hit everybody with his almost perfect Ukrainian language.
Tetyana Fedunova, head of the Kyiv City School Principals Association, gave a report on her peacebuilding activity in the past year as a special ceremony. The main role of this peace ceremony was played by her students - Junior Ambassadors for Peace. They mixed in one vessel the spring water brought by the Ambassadors for Peace from the north, east, south and west of Ukraine.
After closing, the conference participants signed a declaration on the founding of the "Interreligious Association for Peace and Development" in Ukraine as a new activity direction of the Federation. Finally participants had a pleasant conversation with each other during a buffet at the University's dining room.
The guests enjoyed the conference because of short and straight to the point speeches. Everybody was touched by the song "The World Without War" performed by students dressed in various national costumes. All present could see with their own eyes that a true culture of peace is forming in Ukraine.
