The Global Peace Convention 2019 in Seoul, South Korea explored an urgent need for a broad and inclusive vision to bridge social and political divides to secure peace on the Korean peninsula and around the world.
Sessions ranged from unification of the Korean peninsula into one democratic nation to transforming education for a better world and value-based on peace-building and international religious freedom.
The 70-year-long division Korea was cited to be the cause of deep suffering on the peninsula that had contributed to serious instability and underdevelopment of the Northeast Asia region as a whole even as the international community focussed on denuclearisation at high-level talks such as happened in Singapore last year and lately in Hanoi.
Experts, scholars and leaders used the forum to promote a peaceful and Korean-led process of unification based on the peninsula’s shared identity and cultural heritage with an emphasis on ideals articulated at the time of the founding of the Korean nation, Hongik Ingan. Founder and chair of Global Peace Foundation Hyun Jin Preston Moon said the Korean dream was a world dream to be embraced by all humanity under God. “It is a shame Korea is the only divided nation in the world,” he said.
Dr Moon emphasised that the March 1 Movement that commemorates the Korean struggle for freedom should not be envisaged only against the coloniser Japan as that fosters enmity, but rather should focus on human right to enjoy freedom. “We need to remind ourselves where we need to go these next 100 years,” said Dr Moon.
He noted that Global Peace Convention value-based peace building embraced practical applications of universal principles in addressing human rights, equitable development and religious freedom for countries around the world with a specific look at international support for the freedom of the North Korean people.
Rev Cannon Rosemary Mgobo, Provincial Secretary of the Anglican Church of Kenya, pointed to the message found in the first lines of the Kenyan national anthem which states: “God of all creation, bless this our land and nation… may we dwell in unity.” She declared the importance of religious freedom in allowing people to engage with and serve each other based on common values across religions to enhance and transform lives.
Jin Shi, President of the Institute for Peace Affairs described the three characteristics of the March 1 Movement as a commitment to peace and public order, interface unity based on shared values, and total participation and support from all.
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