The Global Peace Convention reminds us that in a world filled with conflict and hostility, there are still people who move for harmony and peace.

From November 1 to December 14, Global Peace Foundation held their bi-annual Global Peace Convention, which culminated in a face-to-face, week-long event in Marriott Hotel in the Philippines. Attended by diverse local and international delegates, the convention discussed topics along the lines of peacebuilding as well as collaborative strategies leading nations toward holistic development.

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International Forum on One Korea

On December 12, a concluding forum moderated by Mr. John Hancock Dickson, Senior Advisor on Economy and Government Relations, mainly discussed freedom, peace, and unity within and among nations and how they are essentially catalysts for national, regional, and global development.

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Mr. Jose Luis Yulo, Jr., President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Philippine Islands (CCPI) — the oldest economic business institution in the country — highlighted the intersections between three resources: 

1. “Korean Dream: Vision for a Unified Korea” by Global Peace Foundation President and Founder Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon in 2014; 

2. “2030: One World, One Community, One Family” by Former President Fidel V. Ramos in 2016; and 

3. “Five Pillars for Navigating the Future,” a pamphlet to be published next year 2024 by CCPI

These three publications, while published at different times and even in different geographies, present similar propositions — that a free and united nation is the best candidate for holistic development.

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Dr. Chong-Soo Park, Former Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation Through Economic Development of the Republic of Korea followed with more concrete recommendations such as an international free economic zone widely supported by countries across the globe and including the United Nations itself. Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy of the American Enterprise Institute, emphasized designing the national and global business climate to facilitate, prepare, and manage global economic development.

Culminating the forum is Global Peace Foundation President and Founder Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon who reflected on the Korean ethos of Hongik Ingan, meaning “living for the benefit of humanity.” Presenting South Korea as an example of a nation with inefficient economic traditions opposite to its most highly sophisticated technical workforce, he asserted that unitedly working on effective and innovative solutions toward a collective vision can build not only a better nation but a better world.

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The Philippines as a First-World Economy

Architect Palafox, as a luncheon speaker, provided a glimpse of a nation that has succeeded in climbing back to being a tiger economy, from having been a struggling country for so long.

His talk “Vision 2050: Philippines as a First-World Economy” reminded the convention of the richness of the Philippines as a country and as a people. With a strategic geographic location, remarkable natural resources, and a demographic sweet spot, we ultimately have the resources to make it among the world’s top economies. With a collective vision; united effort from the government, its citizens, and the private sector; visionary leadership, good governance, strong political will, and good appreciation of planning and design; and five efficient, effective, visionary, and action-driven Presidents and administrations, the Philippines can be in the top 20 economies of the world by 2050.

Concluding his talk, the future in the form of project animations was shared to allow the realization that these are not only dreams but actual potential realities. And though baby steps might have been taken to bring the Philippines closer to peace and prosperity, there are people who continue to work and hope for a bright future.

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