Your name (required)
Genevieve Balance Kupang

Organization
World Council for Curriculum and Instruction (WCCI)

Your Message
Greetings of a meaningful World Interfaith Harmony Week!

As a life-long learner, and an advocate fostering intercultural understanding, interreligious dialogue, and building sustainable futures, I am grateful for all the invitations of our fellow peace advocates from the Uniharmony Partners Manila (UPM) during the UN celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week.

This year’s theme was “Celebrating Truth, Sincerity, and Forgiveness.”

The UPM members had a busy week in Metro Manila, Philippines. We attended several activities hosted by our partners. These are the Brahma Kumaris, the Institute of Spirituality in Asia, the Archdiocese of Manila-Ministry of Ecumenical & Interreligious Affairs, the Archbishop of Manila His Excellency Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, the Focolare Movement, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple, the Institute of Islamic Studies, UP Diliman, the Peacemakers’ Circle, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Office Campus Ministry of the Ateneo de Manila University, the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction, the Center for Peace Education, Miriam College, and The Cultural Section, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran-Manila.

Together, we have strengthened a unifying thread. We can be likened to a beautiful garden where varieties of flowers co-exist forming a beautiful harmony of a life-giving garden (represented by our various faith affiliations). Yes, we shall continue to tend and create that beautiful world where everybody is accepted and appreciated.

I am grateful that through the years, we have organized activities in solidarity with the global celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week; we have fostered friendship and continue to advance a collective action between and among the interfaith communities; and, promoting awareness on the challenges and aspirations of the World Interfaith Harmony Week.

GENEVIEVE BALANCE KUPANG, Ph.D.
Chairperson, SIG of the World Council for Curriculum and Instruction
Vice President, Mandala Peace Arts Initiative, Inc.