Martin Luther King III to lead global peace fest in Manila

Human rights advocate Martin Luther King III, son of world renowned civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., will lead more than 200,000 Filipino students, teachers, members of academe and civil society, as well as high-ranking government officials tomorrow in the launching of the “Global Peace Festival” in the country.

President Arroyo and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. are expected to grace the one-day event with the theme, “One Family Under God,” at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila.

King is a human rights advocate and community activist. He is the eldest son of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. His grandfather, Martin Luther King Sr., was an early civil rights leader and an advocate for social justice.

Organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the festival aims to drum up worldwide support for peace-making efforts and for implementing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, Celestino Jose Navalta Jr., UPF secretary general, said in a statement.

“One of the ways to achieve peace is by living for the sake of others. Peace is possible if people would always consider the welfare of their fellowmen,” he said.

UPF co-chairman Hyun Jin Moon will also deliver an inspirational message during the program.

“The launching will mark the beginning of a series of peace festivals which will be held in all corners of the world for the purpose of achieving lasting peace,” Navalta said.

A peace parade from Roxas Blvd. to the Quirino Grandstand will take place at 2 p.m. The parade will be followed by a free concert from peace advocates such as singer-actress Pops Fernandez, Jay-R, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and other local artists.

UPF-Asia secretary general Ursula McLackland said the Philippines was chosen as venue for the launching of the Global Peace Festival 2007 because “its citizen are peace loving people who cherish their families and uphold family values.”

“The Philippines’ Global Peace Festival can be a model for the world,” McLackland said, adding, “it promotes the family as the foundation for peace.”

“It is in the family where the values necessary for peace building are learned,” she said. “We believe that peace begins within the individuals and then it extends to our family, the society, the nation and the world.”

“The UPF is a global alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a world of peace in which we live in freedom, harmony, cooperation and co-prosperity.”

UPF is a non-government organization in “Special Consultative Status” with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.