“Here We Are!” is Theme of World Youth Assembly
In the week leading up to the third anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa (ascension), Cheong Pyeong, Korea gradually filled with Unificationists from around the world as numerous projects and events have come to fruition, celebrating the wide-reaching legacy of True Parents. The completion of the Peace Road journey, which was held in over 120 nations around the world to spread awareness of True Parents’ vision of an intercontinental highway, took place in Seoul, Korea on August 27. On August 28, two laureates received the inaugural Sunhak Peace Prize at the Sunhak award ceremony, concurrent with the 2015 World Summit where Sunhak laureates gave presentations on their work. Commemorative cultural events including a martial arts festival and soccer tournament were also among this week’s highlights.
The World Assembly of Youth and University Students began on August 27, inviting recent Global Top Gun workshop alumni and young Unificationists from around the world to participate in festivities themed around the slogan, “Here We Are!”
“This slogan is well-crafted in that it relays the heart of all the youth gathered here to support True Mother,” said Mirandy Kim, Top Gun workshop participant and official Top Gun blogger.
The grounds were filled with banners, tents and tables highlighting Unificationist activities and organizations around the globe. A Holy Ground Pilgrimage stamp activity allowed participants to tour different landmarks in Cheong Pyeong and receive a stamp on their stamp card. After collecting all the stamps, they received a prize.
The opening ceremony of the assembly on August 27 recognized all the continents that participants represented, including North and South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Sun Jin Moon, International President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and her husband, In Sup Park, International Vice President of FFWPU, joined for the opening ceremony.
Naokimi Ushiroda, President of the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) USA, offered a representative prayer. The crowd then heard inspiring words from President of World CARP, Kwon In Sung, who spoke of his hope for them to become future leaders. He also asked for everyone to work together and realize a world of peace with True Mother.
With a warm round of applause, everyone then welcomed to the podium Sun Jin Moon for the commemorative speech. She formed a shape of a heart with her hands to show her love to all the participants in the main hall. She shared, “As we gather here tonight, let us not forget who we are. We are blessed central families because of True Parents’ absolute and complete attendance and their absolute true love for all humanity.”
“It was late at night, and while bringing grace, she also brought energy,” remarked Mirandy Kim. “She invited us to all hold hands, close our eyes and focus on our breath. This simple moment made us feel this instant international connection. In this hall we were brothers and sisters from various countries. The simple act of holding hands made me feel like we are willing to be vulnerable and be builders of peace. We are in this together no matter what.”
As Sun Jin Moon left the stage, everyone cheered in unison, “Here we are!”
A musical festival then began. The talented Little Angels performed dances and songs, their elegance and precision astonishing the audience and evoking many cheers and applauses.
Groups representing the nations of Japan, Korea, Thailand and America also performed. Representing America, four of the Global Top Gun participants sang “Marching On” by OneRepublic, moving the audience on their feet and jumping to the rhythmic music. The event went far beyond midnight, yet everyone was very satisfied with the concert and enjoyed this energetic evening with their international community.
Commemorative events culminated with the third anniversary of True Father’s Seonghwa on the morning of August 30, 2015. Next week, we look forward to the publication ceremony for the Cham Bumo Gyeong (True Parents’ Scripture) and a Special Assembly of Cheon Il Guk leaders.