Bridging Cultures for Peace
PEACE ROAD 2019 USA TOUR: NEW YORK METRO AREA, AUGUST 10, 2019
PEACE ROAD 2019 NEW YORK METRO TOUR INCLUDED THREE SEGMENTS:
PEACE ROAD BIKE TOUR
PEACE WALK AT UNITED NATIONS
ONE WORLD PEACE FESTIVAL
Introduction to Peace Road Project
“An International Highway Connecting the World through Peace.”
Peace Road project was proposed at the International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences on November 10, 1981 in Seoul, South Korea, by the late Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, who advocated the International Peace Highway Project. Through the project the world can be connected as one and the walls between races, cultures, religions, and nations can be broken down. So, that a peaceful global village with the entire humanity as one great family can be constructed to actually unite the world as one by building a highway connecting the separated continents first and able to exchange and cooperate with one another more freely and quickly. The world will become one peaceful community.
Since then research to build an undersea tunnel between Korea and Japan, as well as the Bering Strait Project to connect Russia and North American, began. The planning for the Peace Highway which could tie the entire world together has led to greater efforts to achieve an era of true global peace.
We practice the vision for one human family by transcending nations and race, and uniting centered on love. It is our hope that Peace Road will open a beautiful era of peace for future generations.
Peace Road, a global peace project in which all participants walk or run for a single goal, world peace.
Peace Road 2019 World Tour-USA: New York Metro Area Tour
Peace Road 2019 World Tour-USA: New York Metro Area Tour, held on August 10, 2019, included three segments:
1. Peace Road Bike Tour, at Central Park, 10:00 am
2. Peace Walk at United Nations, 12:30 pm
3. One World Peace Festival, 2:00 pm
The Peace Road New York Metro Area Tour was organized by: Universal Peace Federation; American Clergy Leadership Conference; and Family Federation for Heavenly USA.
Peace Road Bike Tour
The Peace Road Bike Tour began at Central Park, corner of 59th Street and Columbus Circle. The Bike Tour circled a designated route around Central Park. The Peace Road Bike Tour segment was coordinated by EJ Rapada, UPF USA. Families and children participated in the Bike Tour, riding for a single goal, world peace.
Peace Walk at United Nations
The Peace Walk at the United Nations began at 45th Street and 1st Avenue, New York. Dr. Luonne Rouse, President, American Clergy Leadership Conference, began the Peace Walk with an invocation and World Scripture reading on world peace. Rev. Edner Pierre Louis, District Pastor, Family Federation for Heavenly USA, gave introductory remarks. A “Blessing of Nations” prayer was given by Maria L. Vargas, Regional Executive Director, N.E., UPF USA.
Peace Walk at Isaiah Wall, a historical landmark
The Peace Walk continued to the Isaiah Wall, a historical landmark located at Ralph Bunche Park, 43rd St, & 1st Avenue (directly across from United Nations). Dedicated in 1948, The Isaiah Wall, made with granite rock, is inscribed with the words of Isaiah 2:4:
“They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Peace Walk at“Good Defeats Evil Statue” at United Nations Garden
The Peace Walk continued to Good Defeats Evil Statue, located at the United Nations Garden, 47th and 1st Avenue. The Good Defeats Evil Statue was created as a monument to peace. The sculpture is composed of actual parts of United States and Soviet missiles. The work depicts St. George, one arm raised, as he drives a lance through a double headed dragon. St. George was a Christian martyr.
Peace Walk to Peace Learning Center, Midtown Manhattan
The Peace Walk continued from the United Nations to the Peace Learning Center, located in Midtown Manhattan, to join the One World Peace Festival, the third segment of the Tour.
One World Peace Festival
The One World Peace Festival, held at the Peace Learning Center, New York, was a celebratory festival event, uniting as one, one world family.
Dr. Luonne Rouse served as Master of Ceremonies. Invocation was given by Ambassador for Peace Raquel Reeves; Greetings were given by Rev. Edner Pierre Louis and Ambassador for Peace Rosa Carmino Blanco. Maria L. Vargas gave concise presentation on “Culture of Peace” (excerpt below):
“In order to establish world peace we need to establish a culture of peace and a culture of heart. A culture of peace is a set of values, attitudes, ways of behavior, and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes in order to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations.
Educators of the world play a vital role in promoting the culture of heart in all educational institutions in order to raise up students and youth to be peace-loving world citizens and leaders who live for the sake of others, the key principle for world peace.
The culture of heart is learned in the family. The family is the cornerstone for world peace. If there is peace in the family there will be peace in the world.
“Prayers for World Peace”, from four faith traditions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam and FFWPU, were read by youth.
Various cultural dance and musical performers performed for peace.
Peace Road, bridging cultures for peace, uniting the world as one.
Maria L. Vargas
Regional Executive Director, N.E., UPF USA
August 11, 2019
Below are a few highlights from the events.
High resolution photos available for viewing and download at: https://photos.unification.org/peaceroad-nyc
1 Peace Road Bike Tour: Central Park
2. Peace Road Peace Walk at United Nations
The Isaiah Wall, historical landmark
(located at Ralph Bunche Burke, directly across from UN)
Good Defeats Evil Statue, located at United Nations Garden
3. One World Peace Festival, Learning Center, Midtown Manhattan
