The Foundation of Peace
This week marks the United Nations Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination. Rooted in the memory of the 69 lives lost at Sharpeville, this observance reminds us that racism is a "violence embedded in institutions" that we must actively dismantle.
For the Universal Peace Federation, this observance is not only a time of remembrance. It reminds us that racism is never merely a private prejudice. It becomes exclusion, humiliation, inherited inequality, distorted memory, and at times violence embedded in institutions and public life. As an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UPF affirms the responsibility of civil society to support the work of the United Nations in advancing equal human worth and peaceful coexistence.
We believe the solution starts with the restoration of relationships. Our founders, Dr. Hak Ja Han and the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon, advanced a vision of "humanity as one family under God".
Why Memory Matters
In Senegal, our work at Gorée Island connects historical remembrance with youth engagement. As we enter the Second International Decade for People of African Descent, we are focusing on:
Reconciliation: Healing the wounds of enslavement and dehumanization.
Education: Teaching young people to encounter one another as persons, not categories.
Leadership: Addressing extremism while protecting the equal dignity of all.
UPF has also repeatedly honored the legacy of Nelson Mandela, whose life remains one of the clearest modern examples of resistance to institutionalized racism joined with a disciplined commitment to reconciliation. His witness matters not simply because he opposed apartheid, but because he showed that justice without revenge and dignity without hatred are both possible.
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The "Action" of Peace
On March 13, 2026, IAPP Africa reached a defining moment in its mission to integrate peacebuilding into the heart of African governance.
In an audience with Vice President Hon. Mary Muyali Boya Meboka, our delegation, led by Dr Paterne Zinsou, officially received the keys to a dedicated IAPP office within the National Assembly compound. This gesture is a powerful testament to the institutional anchoring of peace within Cameroon's legislative framework.
Official IAPP delegation in audience with the Vice President of the National Assembly
Key Takeaways from the High-Level Mission:
Translating Principles into Policy: The VP emphasised that "Peace is an action," urging concrete parliamentary steps to improve citizens' lives.
Inclusive Reform: We presented a new strategic orientation that includes former Members of Parliament, ensuring seasoned political leadership continues to advance stability.
Global-Local Synergy: Building on the Vice President’s participation in the 2025 World Summit in Korea, this mission strengthens the bridge between global peace goals and national legislative action.
A Strong Symbol for Parliamentary Diplomacy
In Yaoundé that same week, the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) reached a major institutional milestone. Dr Paterne Zinsou officially received the keys to a dedicated headquarters located right inside the Parliament of Cameroon.
Why this matters for the continent:
Physical Integration: Peace initiatives now have an institutional framework within the legislative environment.
Strategic Capacity: With a dedicated meeting room and administrative office, IAPP Cameroon is now fully operational for high-level coordination.
Innovative Reform: Dr Zinsou’s vision to bridge current and former MPs promises a more robust network of "Ambassadors for Peace."
Cameroon is positioning itself as a leader in African parliamentary diplomacy, proving that sustainable peace requires the formal commitment of our democratic institutions.
Discovery
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