Africa, Europe & Middle East Dialogue

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On the foundation of the successful World Summit 2020 convened in Seoul in February of this year, and a subsequent series of “Peace Talks” webinars held over the past six months, the Universal Peace Federation convened its first virtual International Leadership Conference (ILC) on September 11-13, 2020 dedicated to the theme, “Opportunity and Hope at a Time of Global Crisis: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values”. 2020 has been a year of dramatic disruption, not only evidenced in the rise of the Covid 19 pandemic, but also in the areas of geopolitics, the world economy, education, the media, religion and culture, and all levels of society. While there are reasons to despair, there is also great potential for a wide range of opportunities to emerge, new ways of envisioning our common life together as one global family, with innovative ideas and policies that enhance and accelerate human development. The ILC addressed the challenges, while also promoting realistic and hopeful solutions. In particular, it opened new horizons in the relations between Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

The ILC featured webinar sessions that highlight the work of seven UPF Associations: International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP), International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD), International Media Association for Peace (IMAP), International Association of Academicians for Peace (IAAP), International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED), and International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP). Each webinar jointly held by UPF Europe & Middle East and by UPF Africa and featured prominent speakers from both Regions. This ILC 2020 Webinar series is also commemorating both the centenary of UPF’s Co-Founder, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon (1920-2012), and the 15-year anniversary of the Universal Peace Federation (inaugurated on September 12, 2005).

Opening Plenary Webinar: The World in Crisis - New Horizons for Relations Between Africa and Europe

ISCP: Perspectives from Current and Former Heads of State: A New Paradigm for International Relations in the Post Covid Era

IAPP: Perspectives from Current and Former Parliamentarians: Opportunity and Hope at a Time of Global Crisis: Africa, Continent of the Future

IAPD: Perspectives from Religious and Spiritual Leaders: The Spirit of Cooperation, the Way towards Peace

UPF 15-Year Anniversary (2005-2020): Contributing to Build a World of Peace

IAFLP: Perspectives from First Ladies: Toward a New Paradigm of Women’s Leadership and Cooperation in Response to Global Crises

IMAP: Perspectives from the Media: Assessing the Role of News Media in the Global COVID-19 Crisis and beyond

IAAP: Perspectives from Academicians: Deploying the principle of interdependence to open up new frontiers in education in post-COVID Europe, Middle East, and Africa

IAED: Perspectives from Business Leaders & Closing Session: Creating Mutual Prosperity -- the Essential Role of Private Enterprise and the Rule of Law to Rebuild Economies and Grow Employment

We thank you for your interest in this important webinar. Respectfully yours,

Dr. Katsumi Otsuka

Chairman, UPF Europe & Middle East