President Lan-young Moon Encourages Women Leaders on Their Pilgrimage for Peace
February 12, 2014, Korea.
Women’s Federation for World Peace members from around the world.
Women’s Federation for World Peace International President Dr. Lan-young Moon shared her heart with WFWP leaders as part of the International Leadership Conference that began February 10 in South Korea. As WFWP prepares for a pilgrimage to Israel in May, a joint venture with the Universal Peace Federation, she shared some reflections on the first jointly sponsored trip to the Middle East ten years ago.
Mrs. Hoon Sook Moon reads the keynote address on True Mother’s behalf.
Dr. Lan Young Moon, international president of the Women’s Federation for World Peace, gives a message of greeting.
Mr. Christopher Hill, former U.S Assistant Secretary of State gives keynote address at the International Leadership Conference.
Mr. Sa Deok Hong, permanent president of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation, gives the congratulatory message.
The pre-ceremony performance was simple and elegant.
Participants at the International Leader’s Conference, February 10, 2014.
It was a time of great upheaval in that region, and President Moon tearfully recounted True Father’s words after they had spent many hours doing Hoon Dok Hwe (studying Scripture): “I am sending my daughters into danger. I need to do this Hoon Dok Hwe to protect them on this trip.” True Father also said to her: “I want you (the women) to step into Jerusalem, to feel God’s heart and Jesus’ heart. Please make a beautiful reconciliation between the two sons” — a reference to Isaac and Ishmael, the biblical progenitors of the Jews and the Arabs. It was significant that True Father decided not to send a delegation of ministers or men. As Alexa Ward, deputy director of WFWP International’s office, noted, “He felt the situation called for the Holy Spirit and a mother’s heart.”
Carrying the banner of peace with a mother’s heart has been the goal of WFWP from its founding in 1992, and continues to be the driving force behind all its initiatives. WFWP had a session that consisted of presentations by experts and activists on issues of women’s rights, from concerns in foreign countries to human trafficking. Dr. Michael Balcomb, president of FFWPU-USA, Ricardo de Sena, director of Latino Ministry for FFWPU-USA, Genie Kagawa, Director of the UPF Executive Office, and Dr. Thomas Selover, a professor at CheongShim Seminary in Cheong Pyeong, Korea, also led a session on “the Principles of Peace,” the content of which was based on the Divine Principle. The thought-provoking presentations brought the Divine Principle alive, and reaffirmed the mission of the founders for all of the participants.
Looking forward to May, Alexa said, “President Moon suggested we experience the Holy Land as if we were on a pilgrimage, instead of focusing on a two- or three-day program with presentations, as we’ve done in the past.” WFWP currently is making plans for this spiritual journey, and hopes to carry True Parents’ message to the Holy Land.