Universal Peace Federation - Newsletter‏

Vol. 9, Issue 6 April 1, 2014

Interfaith Prayers on the 3rd Anniversary of the East Japan Great Earthquake Ishinomaki, Japan - Shivering against strong winds from the Pacific Ocean, whose tsunami power had devastated the coastal vicinity three years before, faith leaders representing various creeds together offered the respective ritual prayers for the deceased as a result of the tsunami and its cause, the East Japan Great Earthquake, on March 11, 2011. Some 50 individuals assembled at a hill-top in the suburbs of Ishinomaki on March 7 for a memorial service under the huge statue of the Goddess of Kannon overlooking the shore. Read more... All-Sides Consultation in Austria on the Syrian Conflict Burgschlaining, Austria - An All-Sides Consultation for a Political Solution to the Syrian Conflict took place March 8-9, 2014 at Burgschlaining, Austria, an ancient castle that has because a center for peace students and a European Museum for Peace. Panel discussions addressed a variety of concerns of Syrian people: for security, to bridge the rifts, people on the move, political rights, and political transitions. The symposium was organized by the Peace in Syria initiative with the support of a number of organizations, including UPF. Read more... Jerusalem Peace & Security Forum: Egypt toward New Leadership Jerusalem, Israel - Diplomats, scholars, journalists and students of political science and diplomacy, gathered on Feb. 26, 2014 in the house of a former Israeli ambassador to Egypt, Mr. Efraim Dubek; he and his wife Sarah were both born in Egypt and grew up there. Another former Israeli ambassador to Egypt addressed the forum as well as a journalist. Read more... Seminar in Vancouver on Sectarianism vs. Universalism Vancouver, Canada - Christians, a Muslim and a Baha'i joined with Ambassadors for Peace and participants of various faiths assembled in Vancouver on March 16, 2014 to discuss the theme of Sectarianism vs. the Universality of Faith. Speakers pointed out universal aspects as well as points that lead to alienation and division among people of faith. Read more... Related News Japan Marks Third Anniversary of the Tsunami Disaster Photo: Windsor Star Japan was joined by other countries around the world in marking the third anniversary of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami disaster on March 11. The quake-tsunami disaster swept away 18,000 victims, destroyed coastal communities, and sparked a nuclear emergency that forced a re-think on atomic power.  Read more...