Kenya has won the bid to host the 2010 Global Peace Festival and Convention, to be held in Nairobi on November 17-20. International peacemakers including religious, NGO, youth, business, governmental, and other civil society leaders will participate in the Convention on the foundation of regional Global Peace Festivals (GPF) to be convened in Asia, the Americas and Africa.

President Kibaki meets with GPF Delegation

The announcement was made on February 16 in Nairobi with the strong endorsement of President Hon. Mwai Kibaki in a meeting with Global Peace Festival Foundation Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon and distinguished national host committee members.

Organizers made this announcement from Harambee House, the Office of the President of the Republic of Kenya; Dr. Moon was joined by Dr. Manu Chandaria, Founding Chairman of Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Hellen Sambili and Mr.Vincent Rapando of GPF Kenya.

President Kibaki expressed keen interest in the Global Peace Convention (GPC) and Festival and endorsed the convening of a broad national working group to support the initiative. The Presidential meeting was reported several times on national television. The 2010 Global Peace Festival in Africa will be held in conjunction with the Global Peace Convention. Kenya’s Prime Minister, Hon. Raila Odinga, has been a consistent supporter of the GPF, and was the distinguished guest speaker at the first Kenya GPF in August 2008.

The plans for GPF 2010 in Kenya have received strong support from the private sector. Dr. Manu Chandaria, a well-known industrialist and international philanthropist, will serve as Private Sector Chairman for the 2010 Global Peace Convention. In recent remarks, he stated “While Kenya didn’t win the World Cup or serve as hosts for the World Economic Forum, we won the Global Peace Convention bid to spotlight Kenya’s pathway to civil society renewal and peace through youth empowerment.”

Prime Minister & Mrs. Raila Odinga at the 2008 Global Peace Festival

The 2010 Festival and Convention follow a massive Global Peace Festival in Nairobi in 2008 at the Kenyatta International Convention Center, which was part of 24 GPF initiatives worldwide that engaged more than 1 million youth and civil society leaders in peacebuilding and service activities. As part of the Kenya GPF in 2008, a major ongoing social impact initiative was launched to clean the endangered Nairobi River, one of Kenya’s most treasured waterways. The largest environmental restoration project in the nation’s history, the undertaking mobilized thousands of volunteers and was profiled on Kenya National Television.

On February 16, Nairobi Mayor Geoffrey Majiwa joined a coalition of prominent national youth organizations, religious, business and elected leaders to mark the Global Peace Festival and Convention kickoff. Mayor Majiwa said “I am proud to support the Convention and will engage the City Council to provide its support.” In conjunction with the kickoff, 300 youth volunteers planted trees along the Nairobi River as part of the ongoing Nairobi River Peace Initiative.

Youth plant trees at the Nairobi River	Participants at the Nakuru GPF 2010 kickoff

The GPF is also having regional impact in Kenya. On Friday, February 12th, the provincial capital Nakuru hosted the Rift Valley Peace Initiative and regional Global Peace Festival kickoff in partnership with the Peace Cops program. The 300 young leaders from 7 Rift Valley districts participating were challenged by GPFF Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon to bring peace to Rift Valley, Africa and the world, and to “dream the greatest dream of all – One Family Under God.” He also called on young people to be leaders in Kenya’s 2010 national constitutional review process, stating “2010 is a historic year for Kenya; you are in the process of birthing a new nation that will change the course of Africa. All Africa needs is an example and all nations will follow.”

Retired President Moi with Dr. Moon

Following his speech, Dr. Moon was thanked by the deputy Provincial Commissioner, and the regional director for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports “for joining us to create peace in Kenya.” As part of its Rift Valley Peace Initiative, the GPF also announced the donation of 20 mini-water pumps for rural farming in the region in conjunction with its clean water program.

While in the Rift Valley, Dr. Moon and other international delegates made a courtesy visit to Africa statesman and former Kenya President Hon. Daniel arap Moi. In the cordial meeting, President Moi expressed his encouragement and support for the GPF approach to peacebuilding, with its focus on shared values and youth engagement.

The Global Peace Service Alliance (GPSA), a project of the Global Peace Festival Foundation, also announced a partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist Usher Raymond IV’s New Look Foundation. Entitled “Powered by Service,” the initiative includes awards of mini-grants for youth service projects to combat malaria.

The Global Peace Festival is an innovative model of peacebuilding that enlists volunteers across religious and ethnic boundaries in community service, youth engagement, and cultural celebration. Its tri-fold platform includes interfaith initiatives, strengthening families as a cornerstone of peace, and forging a global culture of service. GPF founder and Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon of the United States is also the founder of Service For Peace, and is actively engaged in a wide array of business and philanthropic interests. Further information is at www.globalpeacefestival.org and www.globalpeaceservice.org.

Additional photos from recent GPF events in Kenya:

Shawn Wilson of Usher New Look Foundation tries out hand-held water pump being donated for clean water project.	Entertainment during the local GPF program in the Rift Valley.
Youth enjoy the celebration at the Rift Valley Global Peace Festival.	Dr. Hyun Jin Moon addresses the local GPF in the Rift Valley.
Volunteers planting trees along the Nairobi River.	Nairobi Mayor Geoffrey Majiwa joins the tree-planting efforts at the Nairobi River.