The 17th World University Students Assembly (WUSA), formerly called World CARP Convention, has been another successful gathering of international students last July 9, 2007 at the Seoul Fashion and Art Hall. The afternoon program began with the marching of the flags of 16 nations who fought in the Korean War.

What made this year's convention special was that WUSA's program showed the strong newly-forged partnership with the Universal Peace Federation which is yet another turning point in W-CARP history. Its main project is the launching of the Student Peace-building Corps where all Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace will be under its banner as student ambassador counterparts of UPF Ambassadors for Peace.

The program opened with a chorus and dance performance of W-CARP Korea's 21-Day trainees followed by a song number from Kiah Victoria who is known to have performed more than a hundred times in Broadway. A ballet interpretation was then given by the Du-Guan Dance Theater, a Taiwan-based cultural croup with a message of harmony. In contrast to the graceful moves of the Taiwan group, Maximum Crew, a Korean hip-hop group, complemented the graceful Taiwanese dancers with their awesome break-dance exhibition. It was a truly dynamic performance as many of the crowds commended.

As this year's theme is "One Family under God," W-CARP showed an introduction video of the past year's accomplishment and the vision of 2007 highlighting the significance of launching the Student Peace-building Corps, in support of the realization of the Unification of North and South Korea, United Nations Millennium Development Goals and Middle East Peace Initiative.

Senior Vice President Kyung Myung Yoo gave the welcome address from W-CARP and Secretary General Dr. Thomas Walsh from UPF. Two notable speakers gave very valuable wisdom and encouragement to the participants: Dr. Dea O Son, Vice President, UN Force of the Korean War Memorial Federation and Sir James Mancham, the Founding President of Seychelles and President of the UPF's Global Peace Council who is also a member of the UPF's Presiding Council.

In his speech, he shared his profound and most valued words from his parents that guided him to the present before his entrance to college. He was very excited and moved by the energy he was getting from the youth and feels that we are really brewing up a stronger peace movement. Finally, he sang one of his favorite songs to the audiences applause.

Presentations of student projects by some Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace followed. The first was by Mr. Francis Hagupit, a university student leader from Philippines. His presentation was about a project from the entitled "Bayanihang Kabataan para sa Kaunlaran ng Bayan" or "Youth Heroism for the Progress of the Nation." It was a house-building project in a typhoon devastated province which supported the UN Millennium Development Goals. Then the winners of this year's Mister and Miss University were also appointed Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace and shared their transformative experience in MMUI. Finally, a report from the World CARP Korea service project was presented by former Mr. University International 2005.

Finally, the most awaited part of all was the address from President Hyun Jin Moon who was always emphasizing the theme of WUSA "One Family under God." His captivating speech clearly showed he inherited the dream of his father and ultimately of God, which is to build "One Family under God." Wherever he went and whoever he sees, he shares, he sees a sparkle of light in every eye that comes from true love. So he challenged everyone to go beyond barriers that humankind created.

At some point he taught that the vertical order of love is the door to our conscience. He urged everyone to ride this "heavenly" tsunami which will break down these barriers. After the Global Peace Festival held in Seoul which he and 10,000 others attended, he urged everyone to dream bigger next year where we will hold one in each of the continents. We, he further declared, should not be called the Generation X or Y, but to be the generation who will build "One Family under God." Finally, he asked everyone to take a moment of silence close their eyes and make a promise of committing themselves to the realization and owning of the dream of "One Family under God."

After that moment, the 23 Collegiate Ambassadors for Peace were called on stage to receive their certificates of appointment from President Hyun Jin Moon. All of them are excellent student leaders actively engaged in serving the campus and their immediate communities.

The event did not end without everyone shouting cheers of Mansei, which means 10,000 years of victory. So may we be in building "One Family under God."

By Sharleen Estiandan