Global Peace Foundation Receives Commendation from the United Nations for Kenya Initiatives

Eric Olsen
October 28, 2013

Ambassador Sahle-Work-Zewde, Director General of the UN Office Nairobi (right), presents the Certificate of Commendation to Dr. Manu Chandaria representing the Global Peace Foundation.

The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) was honored with a Certificate of Commendation from the United Nations in Kenya on October 24, 2013 for its “outstanding efforts to promote a culture of service among youth in Kenya.” The Commendation was presented in a ceremony for nominees of the 2013 UN in Kenya Award, initiated in 2002 to honor an individual or institution for bringing to public notice “significant issues related to the Millennium Development Goals which are sustainable and serve as an inspiration to all Kenyans.”

The award was conferred on United Nations Day, the anniversary of the formal adoption of the charter of the United Nations by the world body’s founding members.

Global Peace Foundation Kenya joined three other nominees for the 2013 UN in Kenya Award ceremony, Dr. Paula Kahumbu, a Wildlife Conservation campaigner in Kenya; Ms. Sarah Omega, an Obstetric Fistula advocate and trauma survivor; and Ms. Josephine Kuleu Lesita, founder Samburu Girls Foundation and a child rights activist, who won the 2013 award.

The Director General of the UN Office Nairobi (UNON), Ambassador Sahle-Work-Zewde, presented the Certificate of Commendation to Dr. Manu Chandaria, patron of Global Peace Foundation Kenya and a Global Peace Foundation Global Leadership Council member, for promoting peace and youth empowerment in Kenya and beyond.

The commendation cited GPF signature programs, including the Rift Valley Peace Initiative, which promoted peaceful coexistence among the different ethnic groups following the 2007/2008 post-election violence; GPF’s Character and Creativity Initiative, which builds integrity and creativity among the high school youth; and the Alllights Village Project, a community-based program to promote sustainable development and improve livelihoods.

Dr. Manu Chandaria, Dr. Markandey Rai, Director at GPF Kenya, Mr. Daniel Juma Omondi, Executive Director GPF Kenya and GPF Kenya staff members at the UN Offices in Nairobi.

Invited dignitaries at the ceremony at UN offices in Nairobi included Ambassador Amina Mohammed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who was the chief guest; the Deputy Secretary General of the UN, Ambassador Jan Ellison, the Director UN Habitat, Joan Clo; Ambassador Sahle-Work Zewde; and members of the Diplomatic community in Kenya.

In his remarks, Ambassador Ellison applauded the contributions and achievements of all the award nominees toward sustainable development. “There is no peace without development and no development without peace and respect for human rights” Ellison told the ceremony guests. Ambassador Mohamed encouraged the nominees and award winner to continue working together to achieve a more united Kenya by engaging youth in sustainable development initiatives. She also pledged the involvement of the Kenyan government.

GPF Kenya Executive Director Mr. Daniel Juma thanked the United Nations in Kenya for the Commendation and credited the entire GPF family worldwide, including partners and other stakeholders, for their contributions to realizing a culture of service and peace. Mr. Juma particularly acknowledged Global Peace Foundation Founder and Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon for his leadership in in advancing GPF’s vision of “One Family under God.”

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