London, England - The Global Peace Festival 2008 in the United Kingdom was a sell-out event with a capacity audience at the Peace Celebration on November 22 at the London ExCel Center. Together with the main event there were six focus sessions of 200 delegates each, an art exhibition, and exhibition stalls.

With over 30 exhibits at the event and a great variety performance line-up, the 3,000-strong crowd had plenty to keep them informed and entertained.

London, England - In a presentation to the Global Peace Festival-UK Focus Group on Multiculturalism and Community Cohesion, Ted Cantle, British author and 30-year veteran of public service, stated that many minorities are amongst the most disadvantaged sectors of a community and still experience prejudice and unequal life chances.

The GPF-UK Community Cohesion Focus Group was fortunate to have two Members of Parliament: Tom Brake, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, and Andrew Pelling, Independent for Croydon Central.

Although the popularity of the interfaith focus session during GPF-UK could have been predicted, the level of popularity was unprecedented: Extra chairs had to be brought into the conference room even after the focus session had started in order to accommodate the large number of participants.

A question posed by one of the keynote speakers, Zishan Jiwa from the Cambridge University Faiths Forum, discovered how many individuals had been or are still engaged in interfaith initiatives. About half of the hands in the audience were raised, indicating that the other half were indeed relative new-comers to the interfaith field. The needs of both were addressed.

Zishan presented a thorough analysis of approaches to interfaith, demonstrating that there are a variety of legitimate agenda. His conclusion was that effective interfaith must involve the entire spectrum of a community, meeting the needs of all.

On entering the exhibition area in the ExCeL Center on 22nd November, one of the first things that caught everyone’s eye was a dazzling green algae lamp! The contribution to the Global Peace Festival by the Environment Focus Group chaired by C-Green Solutions and the benefits returned were both highly successful. These included a project co-sponsored by the GPF, an exhibition stand and a focus session.

Keynote Address given by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon at the Global Peace Festival in London, England on November 22nd 2008

Honored guests from around the world, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Global Peace Festival in Europe, celebrated here today in beautiful London, England! It is a privilege to be here at this exciting time when we all have new hope for peace.

Over the past two to three weeks, the eyes of the world have been focused on the results and aftermath of the presidential elections in the United States, hoping to witness the beginning of a new era and new policies that can bring about peace and prosperity for all people.