Virtual WFWPI General Assembly in 2023
Written by: Mion Tsuchiaka
On February 11, 2023, the Women's Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) held its annual virtual General Assembly for WFWP leaders, members and guests to congratulate and greet each other in a new spirit and determination for a successful 2023. The General Assembly was divided into two parts, moderated by young professionals and members of the WFWPI Global Committee. The program included opening and welcoming remarks, healing sessions, inspiring entertainment and sharing of international and regional action plans for 2023. About 900 people participated via Zoom and YouTube, and the program was translated into Italian, Portuguese, Russian, French, Thai, Chinese, Korean and Ukrainian.
In the first part of the assembly, Ms. Akiha Suzuki, a young professional from Japan, started with a moment of silence for the families who lost their lives in the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Ms. Suzuki then introduced the speakers for the opening ceremony and declared the event open. Mrs. Julia H. Moon, the President of WFWP International, gave the opening remarks, “2023 is the year of the black rabbit in the lunar calendar. Rabbits have short but powerful hind legs and forepaws that are used more like hands, so they can only jump forward. I hope that, like the rabbit, we can jump higher this year and only move forward in all our endeavors creating and building greater peace and happiness in our respective countries and chapters.” Dr. Sun Jin Moon, the Senior Vice President of WFWP International, gave welcoming remarks, “May we make this year 2023 one of higher consciousness and conscience, greater knowledge and education and a year of amazing, positive future impact and sustainable change for all people and the planet, living to achieve mutual prosperity, interdependence and the universally shared values of peace. May our Creator always bless, love and protect you and your precious families!”
The next program was a surprise event for the International Vice President of WFWP North America, Rev. Dr. Angelika Selle, who was stepping down to pass the baton of leadership to the younger generation. Rev. Dr. Selle was the International Vice President of WFWP North America and National President of WFWP USA since 2010. She was born in Pforzheim, Germany, and studied Catholic Theology, German and English at the University of Freiburg in Germany. She has worked with government officials, held the position of editor-in-chief of two magazines, the German-language Neue Hoffnung and Today’s World, and taught at an elementary school in Maryland. Since her WFWP appointment, she has been focusing on grassroots development and the next generation. Her passion is to empower women and men of all ages, races and religions in peacebuilding based on Leadership of the Heart. She is an educator, motivational speaker, writer and Ambassador for Peace.
WFWP International Headquarters prepared a special video with messages from Rev. Dr. Selle’s international colleagues, and presented her with an appreciation plaque, flowers and gifts in recognition of her years of work and dedication to developing the WFWP platform from an international and regional perspective. In her remarks, Rev. Dr. Selle said, "I did not expect such a surprise and I am very touched and grateful for the 13 years I have been able to serve in WFWP. And I am delighted to hand over the leadership to Ms. Kaeleigh Moffitt, a leader of the younger generation. I am sure she will bring new victories and accomplishments to the organization.”
The surprise event was followed by the entertainment dance from the Little Angels' “New Year,” a performance by choreographer Bae Jung-hye, which premiered in 2021. In Korea, the first day of the Lunar New Year is called “Seollal.” On Seollal, it is the custom to offer a bow of respect to your parents and grandparents, who then give the children money to celebrate the New Year. The children put the money in their lucky bags to show off to their friends and celebrate the winter in the snow-covered fields by bouncing a colorful shuttlecock with one foot while hopping on the other, and enjoying other traditional Korean games. With this dance, the Little Angels bring back to life some of the colorful customs from their Korean heritage.
To allow more time for interaction among leaders and members, the program was followed by a 15 minute "Meet and Greet" breakout session during which participants were divided into small groups and introduced themselves by sharing current personal news and experiences with their international colleagues and friends.
The 2023 Regional Action Plans were shared by the International Vice Presidents and Regional Secretaries General from 10 regions: Africa, Asia Pacific 1, Asia Pacific 2, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, Japan, Korea, Latin America and North America. All regions focused on the three global themes of the WFWP: “Peace and reconciliation,” “environment and climate change education” and “women and youth leadership and education.” Although each leader had only five minutes to present, they were able to compactly summarize and share the main pillars of their projects and activities, which were filled with the needs and cultures of their countries and communities.
After a short break, the second part of the program continued, moderated by Mrs. Jacqueline Aber, a WFWPI Global Committee member from Burkina Faso. She then introduced a program of meditation on the mother-child relationship by Dr. Isabel Costa, a happiness consultant from Portugal. This session lasted for 20 minutes and helped participants to find their inner selves, heal past wounds and welcome a happy and refreshing New Year.
The program was followed by the 2023 Action Plan of the WFWP International Headquarters and the UN Offices, with a presentation by Dr. Paris Moon, International Secretary General of WFWP, focusing on the concept of innovation and development. Ms. Srruthi Lekha, Assistant Administrator of the WFWP UN Office in Geneva, shared recent achievements in Geneva, New York and Vienna offices and expressed their goal to attract more young people to UN-related work.
The assembly was a success and all participants left the meeting empowered, energized, rejuvenated and ready to continue their journey to bring new challenges and victories for the WFWP as they enter the new year with renewed resolve.
