Constructing Curriculum for World Peace

Josephine L. Hauer
April, 1997

The upcoming New Eden Academy, International seeks to be like a garden where the beauty of a world youth culture can blossom and grow strong. What we teach, where we teach and how we teach are all important elements in the nurturing of original character and genius in our students. The academic curriculum will foster academic challenge, moral and critical reflection and cultural enrichment. In thinking about the intellectual preparation of high school students, I turned to Andy Wilson's thoughtful essay entitled, "World Scripture and Education for Peace," where he aptly describes the conundrum that both modern society and modern education find themselves wrapped in:

Society devoid of religious values does not provide the nourishment that can sustain a civilization that will bring out the highest qualities in people and allow them to fulfill their purpose in life. For example, our public schools have lost their mission to provide ethics and values to young people, since the most important ground of those values religious truth--has been made off limits. . . Hence democratic societies are in crisis, without any solution in sight. (Wilson, World Scripture)

The core value perspective that will guide the development of our curriculum is Godism which can help us develop a universal perspective on religion, history, humanities and the arts. To nurture an embracing, harmonizing analytical mind is not to eschew critical or secular thought; but rather to transcend and digest it by focusing on the goal of knowledge, namely to be in service to the historical process of world peace. Up until now democratic societies have been able to accommodate religious pluralism by promoting a secular common ground which has tended to lessen the significance of religious belief and practice. Godism's view is that religions are called to fulfill a mission that is greater than what they had known in the past. Wilson writes, "The principal that love is fulfilled in the service of others should extend to religious communities: each religion should manifest love by serving other religions and working together to build a peaceful world."

What are the implications of Godism for constructing a high school core curriculum? What are the goals in terms of character development and academic preparation for life? Although these questions will inspire discussion and debate for many years, I have sought to define some educational goals of our Academic Program at New Eden Academy and they are as follows:

1.To construct a curriculum that promotes the unity of knowledge which is grounded in the transcendental truth of God, known only in part through science, philosophy and religion;

2.To construct a curriculum that recognizes the central role and value of religion in culture and history;

3.To provide a learning environment that encourages critical and moral reflection on knowledge and the sources of knowledge;

4.To promote an interdisciplinary, problem-solving approach to learning.

Educational objectives are the ways in which the goals will be realized. These too are in their developmental stages, but are as follows: 1.To promote information and technological literacy as a means to an end;

2.To offer intensive SAT, ACT preparation programs;

3.To individualize curriculum toward the students' talents by utilizing distance learning resources, internships and special tutoring;

4.To require service activity in the community and moral reflection on its value;

5.To participate as individuals and as a school in science, math, social studies, art or sports competitions;

6.To promote writing, thinking and speaking skills across the curriculum.

The core curriculum will include Korean language studies and Unification Studies and these will become our unique trademarks as a school. Unification Studies will include the study of Unification Thought, Divine Principle and the life of True Parents. These will be the main ingredients that will nourish the moral and intellectual lives of our students along with the traditional college preparatory curriculum which includes at least 4 years of English; 2 years of Science; 3 years of Mathematics and computers; 3 years of foreign language; art; music and physical education.

Of all the models of curriculum there are available I have found the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to be of world class quality. The IB Diploma Program is a rigorous pre- university course of studies leading to examinations that meet the needs of highly motivated secondary school students. Most U.S. universities recognize the IB Diploma to be equivalent to the completion of the freshman year in college. The organization's academic program aims to awaken the intelligence of young people and teach them to relate the content of the classroom to the realities of the world outside. Strong emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and world citizenship. The Academic program at New Eden Academy will be guided by the same goals and objectives as the IB program and we may eventually seek official membership in the International Baccalaureate Organization. As a membership organization, the IBO provides curriculum and assessment development, teacher training and information services to over 630 participating schools in more than 80 countries around the world. The IBO has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and has consultative status with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

We welcome your thoughts about academics, residential life and education in general. Please fax (203.881.5528) or e-mail me with your comments at hauer@cse.bridgeport.edu. Our web page is presently under construction and will include a section for position papers written by Unification educators, parents and others so that we may all participate in this most exciting and important project of building schools for world peace.

Mother's Poem

On this morning in the glowing Aurora of Life, Atop the blue, blue continent of my Yearning, I am once again awakened upon the arrival Of an Overture, the Incandescent Unisonance Of your Love, the perfection by which I can only

Acknowledge by way of my Tears carried upon The Chrome Light of Gratitude; here, you inaugurate The moment of my Dawning Heart, teaching me The Rite of Heaven in this Natural setting as I watch my Being take on the Simplicity of Joy and Opulence of Purity...

I see it is you again, --now and forever-- Who has becalmed the Sails of my Heart-Ship, Fulfilling them with your Breath Of Total Innocence and Integrity. Launched, I view the Land of my Yearning now

As the Port of your Warmth draws closer, Realizing I am listed in your Register of Beauty, Impelled by the Emotion of God, standing at the Helm of Filial Piety, longing to be your True Son, The Bearer of your One True Loyalty...

Kevin James Ribble

Montana Blessing

by Michael Yakawich & Paul DiLorenzo-Billings, MT

The True Family Festival held in Billings, Montana on March 9, 1997 was a culmination of our work so far. Tears of joy were not held back as six couples received the Blessing. As each came to receive the Holy Wine and Holy Water, memories of our times spent together over the years rushed before us. How wonderful it was now to share this precious gift with them. They were indeed a diverse group of friends- Native American, Black, Hispanic and White. Indeed, the feeling of God's love overflowed into our church that day. Over 75 people including local clergy and friends were in attendance.

One guest couple had mentioned they would get Blessed if they could make it. They arrived just after the event started. They watched the entire program. Afterwards, I asked them if they came also to get Blessed. They enthusiastically said yes. I called my wife and Paul DiLorenzo, our emcee, and we all agreed to go back on stage and Bless them. It was a wonderful moment, feeling strongly that Jesus really loved this couple. They were elder evangelists. The wife was rushed to the hospital the past week for an asthma attack. We felt it was a good time to give them the Blessing even when the main event was over. She was so proud to give testimony to everyone that her vows were renewed and she also attended the Blessing Ceremony.

Through this event, we were given a chance to see that our investment, large or small, is never in vain. Here in Montana, the community is building a church. It is a body of neighbors and friends, family and other denominations working and striving to build something better for our community. We would just like to share with you what we have been doing in the vast outreaches of Montana, the Big Sky Country.

Our church is based in a very diverse community. We face many of life's real issues. It helps us stay alert and aware of our community's needs. The issues of drugs, gangs and racial prejudices are not uncommon to our community. We sometimes find the drug needles along our sidewalk or experience crimes close by the church. In fact, this summer while standing next to my car, the back window was shot out, only a foot away from my chest. It is a genuine excitement and seriousness which spurs us on. Also, the neighbors are grateful that our church is in the community and helping to address the issues.

The community showered us with gratitude this past summer by helping to paint our church. Time and money were donated for paint and the painting of the building. As other neighbors have come to our church services, they have joined in helping repair and maintain the church building. It is sincerely exciting to see the church developing as a credible and accepted part of the neighborhood.

This credibility was seen recently by the invitation of myself as pastor to the Art Mural Committee. It was a community board to establish a mural in a local park. Now completed, it remains not only as a beautiful piece of artwork (50 ft. x 10 ft.) but as a sign of acceptance of our church in the city. In fact, as one part of the mural, children of our church are painted standing in front of the church.

The families of our church and the church elders Chad Martin and Paul DiLorenzo have been participating in ecumenical services each fifth Sunday of a month. As pastor, I have been invited to participate, preach and pray along with the other clergy. It is so inspiring to see a stage with various clergy and an audience of all different congregations sharing in worship together. Our congregation has been welcomed, which is a praise to the Christian love of the neighboring churches.

In further outreach, we have taken local youth (including those not part of our church) out on river-rafting trips and hiking trips. Often, the parents join with us to strengthen the bonds between parent and child. On a recent hike, Paul DiLorenzo (ACC) shared over lunch with the young people deeper aspects of leadership and moral conduct. An article was printed in the local paper covering this event.

With our small staff, amazingly, programs develop. As with the Women's Federation for World Peace, Tamijo Ruether-Affor, Fusako Martin and Patty Halcomb worked hard to bring women to conferences in Seattle. Traveling over 1700 miles round-trip, they commuted twice with carloads of ladies to Seattle.

The members' creativity for outreach was again expressed in a local Motherhood Appreciation Program last year. It was a united effort of HSA, WFWP, ACC and tribal messiahs working together. Twenty-five mothers from the neighborhoods were honored. Local clergy attended and addressed the participants. A pastoral message was well received and over 100 people attended, with local TV coverage. The community expressed gratitude for our church doing this. One local clergyman said, "You are the peacemakers for our community."

Our regional leader, Rev. Geon Wee Kim, has been a real inspiration for us. Over the past year, he drove hundreds of miles to participate in our Montana events. His presentation of the speech "In Search of the Origin of the Universe" was well attended and appreciated. Even with harsh weather, 120 people attended. Participating in the recent Holy Wedding Ceremony and providing guidance in our ministry, his support has given us much strength.

Our outreach expands to various areas and levels of the state. With the Family Federation for World Peace's Parents Day National Award winners, Montana sent one of the eleven National Parents Day award winners. The Tribal Chairwoman and her husband, Clara and Carlton Nomee, visited Washington, DC to receive their award. Chairwoman Nomee expressed a desire to encourage this type of outreach locally amongst her tribe and the surrounding communities.

In conclusion, our building of our "community church" is slowly but surely taking shape. It is inspiring to see new guests, greater acceptance of our ministry, deepening respect for Rev. and Mrs. Moon and growing unity among the members. Although the road of our ministry is just beginning, it is inspiring to hear members of our community saying that our church "is a positive and contributing part of the neighborhood."

We have tried to be creative in our outreach, from potlucks to picnics, from church service to service projects. Now with the focus on the Holy Weddings, we can see this as a continuation of our ministry and another opportunity to connect, share and take care of our friends, family and community. Rather than being discouraged by the incredible goals, one step at a time we can reap the "great harvest." As with this past Blessing in Montana, our friends are grateful for our work and efforts. One couple mentioned to us after their Blessing Ceremony, "Through your love, we are coming closer to God; we are grateful for all your friendship." And I figure that is what Rev. Moon has taught us from the very beginning: love others.

As we work out here in the outbacks of the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains, our prayers are sent back to you. In good times and tough times, we are reassured of a great and special body of people who make up the Unification Community-from Alaska to Florida, to all countries in the world.

Irresponsibility of Boston Globe

by Eugene Curtin-Omaha, NE

I do not know Peter Ross, but I admire him greatly for his thoughtful, reasoned, passionate response to the Boston Globe profile on Steve Hassan. [Feb. UNews] Quite obviously, the days are long gone when we as Unificationists stood amazed, dumbfounded and speechless as our faith was once more dragged through the mud by some know-nothing.

His account spurred some thoughts. First, let me get something out of the way. I am a professional journalist. I have worked for the same newspaper for eight years and am currently a senior writer. Certainly I do not work at the exalted level of the Boston Globe. On the other hand, the Nebraska Press Association has seen fit to confer about a dozen writing awards on me over the past eight years. In short, I know a little about the basic craft of journalism.

I know enough to recognize that Peter is mistaken when he assumes that journalists are always required to get the "other side" of a story. "Profile" is sometimes just a $10 word for "puff piece." Puff pieces have their place. When you write a profile of a parish priest who is retiring after 50 years in the ministry, you feel no obligation to track down parishioners who might feel he gave crummy advice in the confessional. When you write about a family whose triplets have all been accepted at Harvard, you feel no need to seek out neighbors who feel that the kids are insufferable snobs.

These are celebratory stories in which we are willing to overlook the warts in order to celebrate the greater picture. They are stories which recognize achievements, pursuits or milestones that are unimpeachably good. It does not astonish me that the Globe would choose to publish such a story.

What is deeply troubling is that the editors apparently chose as an unimpeachably good subject a man whose entire professional life revolves around denigrating religious faiths held dear by hundreds of thousands, indeed millions of fine, law-abiding Americans. I do not dispute that Hassan is newsworthy. If he lived in my community, I might well write about him, and I would most assuredly give him a fair shake. But it is inconceivable, given the controversial nature of his work, that I would fail to give equal consideration to his opponents. After all, it's only a matter of picking up the telephone.

My conclusion is that the Globe does not regard Hassan's work as controversial. That is the only legitimate reason for discarding the journalistic commandment to tell both sides. The Globe must believe that there is no other side. That is astonishing, given the number of reputable non-church experts both religious and secular who think Hassan is a paranoid fraud.

Two things, then. First, it shakes me that a major American newspaper like the Boston Globe values so lightly the religious sensibilities of Unificationists and others that it would regurgitate decades-old calumny. And regurgitate it with no significant opportunity for response. This does not bode well for the mental and even physical security of our children.

Second, what else is new? In the early part of the 19th century, Catholic churches in this country were burned to the ground and priests murdered. The Mormons were hounded into the desert. Jehovah's Witnesses were tossed into prison for refusing to salute the flag. The Boston Globe editors, for all their smug sophistication, are simply infected by a strain of religious bigotry that is as old as Salem. The bigots of old did not see a scared young kid fresh off the boat from Ireland tasked with preaching his faith in a foreign land. They saw only a papist infiltrator seeking to corrupt the minds of Protestant America.

Today's bigots don't see our families as positive entities struggling to raise our kids as God-loving patriots in a world awash with pornography, cynicism and violence. They see only "Moonie automatons" trying to take over the world. Human nature is slow to change.

So, sure, write to the Boston Globe editors and let them know that we know they're a scurrilous bunch of phonies. But more important, let us be about our Father's business. Let's work to raise children who love God and revere their country and who are entirely unimpressed with the hedonistic 20th century.

And then, 150 years from now, we can look down from our hopefully lofty perches at some academic researcher tracking the history of religious bigotry in the late 20th century. With some satisfaction we will watch him make photocopies of a particularly egregious piece of irresponsibility that appeared in the Boston Globe way back in 1997.

Interracial Sisterhood Project Holds First High School Bridge of Peace Ceremony

by Paula Fujiwara-Los Angeles, CA

The Cerritos Park East Community Center Auditorium in Cerritos, California was the venue for 175 girls from the five high schools of the ABC Unified School District to become Sisters of Peace on Friday, March 21, 1997. It was the second interracial Bridge of Peace ceremony held since the initial ceremony involving 350 women at the Los Angeles Convention Center last Oct. 5.

One Leads to Another

Roberta Brown, one of the organizers of the Oct. 5 event, invited her friend Dianne Stonbraker to become a Sister of Peace, knowing that Stonbraker, a teacher a Artesia High School, would be inspired. She and her husband are founders of the Artesia High Rainbow League, which is dedicated to building a school community in which all students benefit from the rich cultural diversity in an environment of peace and harmony. Last November, the Women's Federation for World Peace, co-sponsor of the Interracial Sisterhood Project, held a bridge ceremony for Japanese and American women. After participating on Oct. 5, Stonbraker brought a delegation of principals and teachers from her district to the November ceremony so they could catch the spirit of the bridge. By the end of last year, Stonbraker and her colleagues began to plan the first high school ceremony, which became a reality on the first day of spring during Women's History Month. Even with the vision and inspiration, Stonbraker wasn't so sure it could happen: "I didn't think it could happen. I never thought we could pull the resources together to do it. It's so impressive to see the girls here now. I hope (the sisterhood ceremony) provides a pathway to them of more understanding. I'm just thrilled."

Making History Again

The March 21 event was a success because of dedicated volunteers, donations of resources and the collaboration of the ABC Unified School District, the City of Cerritos and the Interracial Sisterhood Project of Southern California. Every participant contributed to the profound significance of the ceremony. The Mistress of Ceremonies, activist- author Victoria Wilson-Darrah, whose father was martyred trying to reconcile warring factions in Uganda, opened the program by remarking: "The miracle workers of our time will be those who are willing to put themselves on the line to courageously create new relationships which can heal the scars of the past. I believe it's time we dare to build a new community of heart. This is an historic day. We are pioneers!" Brian Buckhorn of the Oklahoma Dance Troupe then performed the Cherokee Hoop Dance and Victory Dance accompanied on drum by John Kioa. The configuration of the hoops conveyed the unmistakable message that we are one human family. Their performance received a standing ovation.

Official Recognition

Four present and past mayors of Cerritos and a local judge and his wife were on hand to congratulate the participants and offer an official proclamation from the city, one of the most culturally diverse communities in the nation. The first woman mayor of Cerritos, Diana Needham, offered her advice on how to reach across the racial divide: through "family integration" including adoption and interracial marriage, which has brought about positive change in her own family as well as through travel and job experience. "It really changes you," Needham said. "You don't like it (racial discrimination) not just from the head but from the heart." Judge Lee Tipton spoke

about his wife and himself joining the Peace Corps after law school. While serving in Uganda they adopted an Ugandan orphan. He remarked that tolerance is not enough to overcome hostility towards those who are different; there must be active involvement in each other's life. Mayor Bruce Barrows then read the proclamation.

Spirit of the Ceremony

The focal point of the occasion was an actual bridge, the same bridge used for past interracial and international "Bridge of Peace" ceremonies in the Los Angeles area, sponsored by the Interracial Sisterhood Project and the Women's Federation for World Peace. Vocalists T. Renee Crutcher and Miyuki Harley joined together on the bridge to perform "Love Can Build a Bridge."

Mrs. Sheri Rueter, chairwoman of the Interracial Sisterhood Project of Southern California and head of the L. A. chapter of Women's Federation for World Peace, then addressed the participants. She spoke poignantly about how "real love" can heal the resentment of the past and that only women have the courage and ability to lead humankind into an era of reconciliation and harmony: "In truth we have always hurt each other.... Then how can we have hope? What is the solution? A big and beautiful heart! It takes an ability to forgive and it takes an ability to love. We need to begin by making a real commitment to be there for each other. This bridge and our crossing over it has the power to change us.... We can create a model for young people and...stand as a beacon of hope."

The 175 girls, who had been paired through the registration process, then formed long lines at each end of the bridge and proceeded to bow and greet their new "sister of peace" with an embrace and exchange of flowers at the center of the bridge, accompanied by the strains of "Let There Be Peace On Earth."

To conclude the ceremony, actress-activist Ms. Donzaleigh Abernathy spoke to the girls. As the daughter of Ralph Abernathy, her family and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s family were the first to integrate schools in Atlanta, Georgia. Now, as a Hollywood actress, she realizes that she has become a role model. "I was taught that you have to break (racism and intolerance) down with love. You all are the ones to change this world. You all don't know how beautiful you are. You all are going to have to turn things around." Abernathy closed by quoting Rev. King: "If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl; but by all means, keep moving!"

"Sisterships" Bloom Over Lasagna

The male members and advisors of the Rainbow League, decked out in tuxedos, prepared and served a tasty luncheon. Raven Baines of Artesia High sang "Wind Beneath My Wings." Eleven-year-old pianist Jena Eisenberg played classical dining music while her mother Linda directed the production crew. District high school dance troupes performed Chinese, Mexican and Filipino dances. All this as the new interracial pairs of girls talked excitedly and exchanged photos. Some of the girls shared reflections about their experience. "I think we're going to bond a lot more and we're going to show respect for other cultures and be more open from now on," said Tanesha Jordan of Artesia High. Janiece Samuel and Vicky Wong of Gahr High became sisters and had this to say: "Today is a very important day to me; I'm learning a lot about other people and having a very good time with my sister," shared Janiece. Vicky added, "I'm glad you gave me a chance to get to know Janiece because we go to the same school but hardly talked till now." Pearl Lee, Angela Iannessa and Christie Crumbo of Artesia High put in the most time recruiting and pairing the girls. "It's neat to see how the whole ceremony worked out," said Christie. "It wasn't what I was expecting; it was like better! Nobody could take the smile off my face when I was watching it.... It's something I'm proud of. It's something I can say: I did that."

The joy of accomplishment for the sake of peace and harmony was thick in the air and, in a last celebratory fling, the young and agile danced the Macarena.

The sponsors want to encourage other schools and communities to organize their own bridge of peace ceremonies in order to realize diverse communities growing in peace.

Inauguration of Martial Arts Federation Packs a Punch for Peace

by Michael Leone and Dan Fefferman-Washington, DC

The Martial Arts Federation for World Peace held its Inaugural World Convention in Washington DC March 23-27, drawing together more that 400 leading martial artists from 83 nations to discuss how their disciplines can cooperate to provide moral leadership and contribute to the establishment of world peace.

MAFWP Founder, the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, told the delegates, "The tradition of martial arts has much in common with the path of the spiritual warrior to which [Mrs. Moon and I] have dedicated ourselves. The purpose of religion, after all, is to inspire and discipline the body to obey the mind, centering on God. Is this not strikingly similar to the tradition of martial arts, to train its students in the physical and spiritual principles of self-defense based on the highest moral standards?"

Highlights

Some of the convention's highlights included:

* Meetings at which participants shared their vision and experience on 1) the potential of martial arts as a college curriculum 2) martial arts as a tool for building human character and 3) the common ground among the various martial arts.

* A plenary session in which keynote speaker and famed martial artist Bob Wall challenged his colleagues to use their positions as teacher to inspire a movement of moral revival.

* Three separate addresses by Rev. Moon, including his two most recent official public speeches and an inspiring spontaneous closing talk.

* A series of lectures entitled "True Character and Family Life Education" presented as a model which martial artists can use in their own capacity as teachers to "instill good character and build healthy families that lead to true fulfillment and prosperity."

* An organizing session to lay the groundwork for the MAFWP's ongoing activities.

* An remarkable grand public exhibition of martial arts demonstrations attended by the mayor of Washington DC and featuring nearly 200 martial artists, representing nearly every style imaginable-from the spiritual grace of Tai Chi to the brick-breaking power of Kung Fu to the august ceremony ritual sword drill.

From our viewpoint, one of the most impressive things about the conference was the way that the martial artists, many of them holding the rank of Grandmaster, responded to Rev. Moon. Being trained in the martial arts discipline, these men and women showed Rev. Moon a high degree of respect as a spiritual teacher. They listened attentively to his speeches-three of them over a four-day conference. Many of the participants commented about how impressed they were with Rev. Moon.

"He is one gutsy guy. That's my kind of spirituality!" commented plenary session chairman Stephen Hayes, a 10th degree Senior Master in the Japanese Ninja tradition who has served as a body guard for such notables as the Dalai Lama and Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Daily program The following is a day-by-day summary of the convention highlights.

Sunday-Participants arrive, and we have our opening dinner. The convention's organizing chairman, Mr. Duk Sun Myung, gives welcoming remarks.

Monday-Rev. moon addresses the group after breakfast, giving his "Principle View of the Providence of Restoration" speech. All speeches are translated into six languages simultaneously through headphones. The rest of the day consists of the excellent True Character Education lectures by the International Education Foundation. Based on Unification Thought, these are based on the curriculum now being taught in thousands of high schools throughout the Soviet Union and soon in China. One man tells us these lectures can save his country. Several more request slides and workbooks. Our hats are off to Dr. Seuk and the IEF staff for developing these excellent, professional- quality presentations.

Tuesday-The IEF lectures conclude and the participants get a tour of the Capital and the Washington Times. Important new contacts and connections are made among the martial artists. Rev. Moon holds a special luncheon for the Grandmasters. In the evening, the participants are treated to a stunning performance by the students of the Kirov Academy of Ballet. Anticipation builds for the convention's climatic conclusion on Wednesday.

Wednesday-This is the Big Day. At the Head Table sits a virtual Who's Who of martial arts. Bob Wall-who is a champion of champions, movie star and "The Voice of Karate"-presents the keynote address. He gives an inspiring talk on the Martial Arts and Moral Values. Stephen Hayes introduces the Founder's address. He speaks from his heart about Rev. Moon's character and tells the stories of how Father met Gorbachev and Kim Il Sung, confronting and forgiving the very man whose regime had tortured and imprisoned him 40 years earlier.

Father gives his "In Search of the Origin of the Universe" speech. Afterward, Mr. Hayes responds: "You see, I told you he was a gutsy guy!" Father receives an enthusiastic standing ovation from the martial artists.

Committees

The Conference continues with break-out sessions:

Committee I. "The Potential of Martial Arts as a College Curriculum." The Chairman is Dr. Jerry Beasley, a master-level black belt, well known martial arts writer and a pioneer in establishing martial arts curricula at the college level. He is joined by Millsaps College professor, Dr. Stephen Black, and the founder of the Southern California T'ai Chi Chu'an Center, Master Daniel Lee.

Committee II. "Martial Arts as an Educational Tool for Building Human Character." The Chairman is Master Scott Woods, a well known Karate champion who runs a successful string of martial arts school in Northern California which emphasize character-building rather than tournament competition. Master Woods presented Rev. and Mrs. Moon with Honorary Black Belts for their contribution to the martial arts. Joining him was martial arts publisher John Graden, Washington Redskins linebacker Ken Harvey, and Aikido Grandmaster Gaku Homma, who is the founder of the Nippon Kan Culture Center in Denver.

Committee III. "Common Ground Among the Various Martial Arts." This was led by Master George Alexander, known as "The World Pioneer of Shorin Ryu Karate." Joining him are Hapkido Grandmaster Jin Pal Kim, seven-time National Karate Champion Daniel Lane, and Shaolin Grandmaster Alan Lee.

The committee meetings were the very valuable for the participants, enabling them to meet and exchange views with other martial artists from various disciplines from throughout the world. "I never realized so many martial artists were concerned about using martial arts for moral education," one participant commented. "This is by far the greatest inter-disciplinary gathering I have ever attended or heard about," said another.

Following the committee meetings, the participants heard a luncheon talk by Dr. Joon Ho Seuk, the Founder of the Tongil Moo Do martial art and president of the International Educational Foundation. Dr. Seuk gave an inspiring vision of the role of the martial arts in the 21st Century, based on Rev. Moon's teachings.

Following this, the closing Plenary Session summarized what was accomplished in each Committee and throughout the conference. Reporting on this was Dr. Tom Ward, representing the University of Bridgeport, which has expressed interest in establishing a Martial Arts program as part of its academic curriculum.

Next on the agenda was the organizational meeting, led by the convention's Organizing Chairman, Mr. Myung. This session worked on establishing the formal structure for the ongoing work of the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace.

Our farewell dinner featured and inspiring talk-again emphasizing the theme of moral values in the martial arts- by the noted martial arts father and son team, Michael DePasquale (Senior and Junior).

Grand Finale

Finally, came the Grand Finale-an evening of martial arts demonstrations the likes of may never have seen before. This evening was opened to a broader audience, and a standing-room only crowd of more than 1500 people filled the Hilton's Grand Ballroom for the event.

Joining Rev. Moon on stage to open the festivities was none other than Washington DC Mayor Marion Barry. He publicly congratulated Rev. and Mrs. Moon not only for their work with the martial arts, but for the various other Federations for World Peace as well. And he specifically mentioned his anticipation of the 3.6 million couples Blessing which will center on DC's RFK Stadium this November.

Included in the demonstrations were

* An example of the power of "Chi" movement by Grandmaster Alan Lee

* Dramatic board and brick breaking demonstrations by a variety of experts that had the audience on the edge of their seats. (Some of us had to close our eyes at some of these death-defying feats.)

* Examples of martial arts katas, or forms, from a variety of disciplines, demonstrating the impressive variety of martial arts styles.

* Sparring and self-defense demonstrations of many varieties.

Although the program went on until about 10:00 pm, the evening was far from over. Rev. Moon was so enthused at the results of the conference that he consented to give one final talk to the participants.

This time, he spoke completely from his heart, with no text or prepared notes. The participants thus had a chance to see not just the "formal Rev. Moon" of the conference, but the true Father that all of us members know and love.

Father was absolutely "intoxicated" (his own word) and gave over two hours of excitement to the group. He spoke about the relationship between martial arts and the religious discipline of uniting mind and body. He challenged the group to go to new levels of dedication in the moral and spiritual realms. He spoke of God, true love and absolute sex. He testified to the Blessing and invited them all to participate. Finally he declared that he is ready to support the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace with a generous amount of matching funds.

The traditional victory cake was then cut. Mr. Hayes and Mr. Myung presented Father with a beautiful diamond-shaped clear trophy in gratitude for his support of the Inaugural World Convention of the MAFWP. Each participant received a miniature version of the trophy as a memento to take home.

Thus, it is no exaggeration to say the Inaugural Convention of the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace was a huge success. Rev. Moon has great hopes for the Federation as an ongoing project into the next millennium. It will be our challenge to help him realize this goal by empowering the martial artists of the world to unite with his vision for the Martial Arts and World Peace.

As special note of appreciation goes out to Mr. Dong Moon Joo and the Washington Times Foundation, inc., without whose support none of this could have taken place, and to Mr. Duk Sun Myung, whose vision and dedication, inspired by Rev. Moon, made this conference a reality. Finally a very special honorable mention goes to Betsy Hunter Jack LaValley, Marty Moran and the other staff members who put it many 20- hour days to produce this unprecedented event "from scratch" in less than two months.

In Memoriam Jan Bakken

Jan Bakken, the first Norwegian member passed into spirit world at 8.00 a.m., April 3rd, in Kristiansand, Norway.

He had lung cancer and had to endure a lot of pain. Only a few days ago they came back from Korea, from a 40 days Daemon Nim workshop, which he and his wife Herta could not complete because of his physical condition.

The Sung Hwa ceremony will be on Sunday, April 6th and he will be buried in the North of Norway, in Tromsoe, where he was born and wanted to be a pioneer with the Japanese national messiah couple. He has three children, a step daughter (25) and two sons (11 and 13). Please pray for him.

In Memoriam Dr. Lee Sang Hun

On March 22, 1997, this morning, the Korean Unification Communities were saddened by the news of the Seung Hwa of Dr. Lee Sang Hun. Dr Lee is the author of the "Unification Thought" and has been the President of the Unification Thought Institute ever since it was founded. He is known as the "scholar" among True Father's earliest disciples and will be remenbered by history as the man who systematized Father's thought in the field of Philosophy.

His passing was a suprise as, just 2 days earlier, he attended the 9th International Symposium on Unification Thought, held from March 20th - 21st at the Sun Moon University. He was then in reasonably good health and he delivered the Welcoming Address at the Opening Plenary.

Last year, he attended the 40 days workshop in Chung Pyung and was selected to be the National Messiah of Thailand

Daniel Han