(On center): Dr. Hyun Jin and Joon Suk Moon with Miss Iya Villana (left) and Mr. John Prats (right) received their appointment as Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace, together with other significant figures, Dr. Chung Hwan Kwak - Co-Chair, UPF International (extreme left), Mr. Kyung Myung Yoo - Senior Vice President, World CARP International (extreme right).

World Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles -- Philippines (W-CARP) in celebration of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) 2007 held its first and one of a kind student assembly, the College and University Students Assembly (CUSA) last December 12, 2007 at the Tent City, Manila Hotel, Philippines with the theme, "Building Peaceful Communities through Spreading the Culture of Service."

CUSA derived from the local term, "Kusa" which means to initiate, serves to create an alliance of conscientious and responsible student leaders around the country, thereby, each Collegiate Ambassador for Peace nominee had gone through as series of self-organized service projects including the recent Manila Bay BKKB Coastal Clean-up.

Consequently, the Ambassadors for Peace Appointment Ceremony followed were Youth Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace (CAP), and Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP) had their official appointment directly by Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Co-Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation International.

One significant highlight of the occasion was the keynote speech of Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Co-Chairman of UPF International who was introduced by Dr. Christopher B.H. Kim, Regional Chairman, UPF Asia. The core message of Dr. Moon's speech focused on the historical efforts of realizing God's ultimate dream for humanity with each one having the corresponding role peace stakeholders willing to take the challenge of substantiating the ultimate vision of One Family under God.

CUSA is part of the diverse build-up activities held consecutively during the five-day period from December 9 until the 12th culminated at the GPF 2007 Main Event program in the afternoon at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park, Manila. The build-up activities were initiated by the affiliates of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the principal organizer of GPF 2007.

Winning talents out of the 1st Inter-Collegiate Song and Dance Competition held last September 20, 2007 also shared their talents by showcasing their winning pieces dumbfounding the great audience in inexplicable amazement. Another great performer, Miss Geraldine "Fame" Flores, rendered the doxology and was also conferred the Collegiate Ambassador for Peace at the appointment ceremony.

In order to set the tone for the success of the peace celebration, each activity held comprised of interactive learning through conferences and dialogue amongst peace stakeholders called from the different sectors of the society and communities at large. There were simultaneous campus and community service-learning immersions. All of which were supported by Government Organizations (GOs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and other Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

To wit, the City of Manila; the Commission on Higher Education (CHED); the United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP); the Philippine Society of NSTP Educators and Implementers, Inc. (PSNEI); the Philippine Teachers Association for the Research of Principles (P-TARP); the Service For Peace Philippines; the Mister and Miss University International (MMUI); and, the Student Peace-building Corps (SPC).

Convening for the 1st CUSA with the slogan, "Kilos Kabataan, Mag-CUSA Tayo!" (Youth Take Action, Let's Initiate!) were 1,237 college and university students out of which 343 were student leaders appointed as Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace (CAP) with 7 Youth Ambassadors for Peace (YAP) from the young professionals group and 309 Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP).

Remarkably, two famous Philippine celebrities also received their appointment as Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace (CAP), Miss Iya Villana, and Mr. John Pratts, whose lifestyle serves as role models in their careers as TV Personalities and Commercial Models.

The first part of the program was hosted by Dr. Edmon Pacson, VP for Education and Outreach, W-CARP Philippines, backed by Dr. Ann Marlita Montejo-Arevalo, Acting VP for Leadership Development emceed the appointment ceremonies.

A video presentation formally started the program highlighting W-CARP's vision, mission, goals, core values and activities followed by the opening remarks of Dr. Aldrin Nituma, President, W-CARP Philippines, who called for a big challenge to the occasion's vibrant audience.

Selected presentations of best practices by the exemplary CAP delegates showcased what so far the nominees and appointees had initiated as their integral part towards peace-building efforts. Presentations to name a few were, the Peace-building Programs in Northeast Asia and the Korean Peninsula, the Mister and Miss University International (MMUI) 2007 Peace Projects, the Inter-faith Initiatives in Malaysia, and locally, the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Projects in the Philippines towards fulfilling the UN MDGs presented by Dr. Florida Labuguen, President of the Philippine Society of NSTP Educators and Implementers Inc. (PSNEI).

Subsequently after the program, CUSA participants attended the Global Peace Festival started with the Peace Parade at 2 PM originating from T.M. Kalaw along Roxas Boulevard until contingents arrived at the Quirino Grandstand to attend the main event all shared a common dream of having "One Family under God."