Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI), May 18-25th, 2006 Applications still possible for special program for journalists, politicians, religious & civic society leaders - but open to all to apply.

The 18th international program of the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) is scheduled for May 18-25th, 2006, in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. The program, "Peace Building and Human Development in the Middle East: Innovative Approaches to Lasting Peace in the Middle East", is being organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF/Peace Federation), AKA the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), founded in 1999 by Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon.

On the program are meetings with key Israeli, Jordanian and some Palestinian leaders, briefings by top government, media and independent experts, conversations with major religious leaders and visits to key sites in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Jordan.

Previous visits have included briefings in the Knesset by peace campaigners such as Ran Cohen MK, the chance to question leading commentators such as Ehud Ya'ari, and visits to settlements and refugee camps.

Participants will have the opportunity to gauge the opinion of ordinary people on both sides, as well as of the leadership of various factions in the settled, occupied and other areas. As part of a joint effort to foster deeper understanding of the changing undercurrents of thought and action in the area, and to promote peace, the IIFWP is organizing this program for journalists, politicians, religious and civil society leaders, from all over the world.

MEPI also includes numerous other projects and service activities to promote understanding and reconciliation in the region. These have involved, and continue to engage, leaders from over 147 nations, from all major professional fields, including the media, politics, academia, business and civil society, plus many "ordinary" people who want to find out the real situation and contribute whatever they can.

The following websites contain further information about previous events:

www.iifwp.org/programs/peace/MEPI.php
iipc.org.il/conferences/meinitiative.html
UPF Home page: www.peacefederation.org
European site, still being built: www.mepi-eu.org
Dutch archive group: groups.yahoo.com/group/mepi-nl/ .

We take great pleasure in extending a warm invitation to you to participate in the latest phase of our Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI) scheduled for May 18-25th, 2006 in Israel, Palestine and Jordan. The program, "Peace Building and Human Development in the Middle East: Innovative Approaches to Lasting Peace in the Middle East", is being organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF/Peace Federation), AKA the Inter-religious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), founded in 1999 by Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon.

While the current situation presents difficult and controversial choices for those in a leadership role in the search for peace, the need for continued involvement and support of the wider world is as important as ever before. This programme represents the 18th visit of MEPI, along with over 40 other projects or service activities to promote understanding and reconciliation in the region. These have involved leaders from over 147 nations, from all major professional fields, including media, politics, academia, business and civil society. The following websites contain further information about previous events:

http://www.iifwp.org/programs/peace/MEPI.php - http://iipc.org.il/conferences/meinitiative.html - UPF Home page: http://www.peacefederation.org - European site, still being built: www.mepi-eu.org - Dutch archive group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mepi-nl/ .

Participants will have the chance to meet key Israeli, Jordanian and some Palestinian leaders, to be briefed by top government, media and independent experts, to converse with the major religious leaders and to visit key sites in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Jordan. Previous visits have included briefings in the Knesset by peace campaigners such as Ran Cohen MK, the chance to question leading commentators such as Ehud Ya’ari, and visits to settlements and refugee camps. Participants will have the opportunity to gauge the opinion of ordinary people on both sides, as well as of the leadership of various factions in the settled, occupied and other areas. As part of a joint effort to foster deeper understanding of the changing undercurrents of thought and action in the area, and to promote peace, the IIFWP is organizing this program for journalists, politicians, religious leaders and civil society, from all over the world.

We do very much hope that you will be able to participate in this program, which promises to give a unique and timely insight into current prospects for lasting peace. It will allow each participant to contribute to the cause of peace in a meaningful way. As well as being a unique opportunity, the program promises to be an enriching, and unforgettable experience, bearing witness to a historic period of transition in the fortunes of a uniquely troubled, yet deeply significant region of the world.

Please communicate your reply to your national IIFWP secretariat. The conference will begin in Jerusalem on Thursday 18th of May. A tentative schedule for the conference as a whole is attached. We hope that you can join us for this significant contribution in the search for peace in the region.

Sincerely yours,

Chung Hwan Kwak
President, IIFWP

Thomas G. Walsh
Secretary General, IIFWP

Note: This Is A Draft And May Be Subject To Change!

All day. Arrivals

18:00. Dinner

20:00. Opening session - Local AfP as speakers & guests and cultural performance

18:00. Prayer (Include testimonials & songs, led by Archbishop Stallings in coordination with reps. from Europe, Korea, Japan) 06:30. Breakfast

08:00. Session I: Introduction to UPF and the MEPI

Segment Coordinator: H. Ben Zvi
Moderator: Rev. Tim Miller Main Speakers : MEPI OVERVIEW
Introduction to the History of MEPI and of Israel/Palestine

10:00. Tour of Jerusalem.

Group 1: Tour of archeological sites for participants not interested in religious sites or who have visited Holy Land before.

Group 2: View the Old City of Jerusalem from the top of the Mount of Olives. Walk down towards the Church of Dominus Flevit, then proceed to the Garden of Gethsemane, Holy Ground.

Group 3: Muslim delegates visit Al Aqsa Mosque. Possible visit to Sheik Bukhari. Lunch in Old City.

12:00. Lunch - Mount of Olives - Seven Arches Hotel

15:00. Visit the Cenacle (David's Tomb), Last Supper room, St. Peter in Galicantu (where the cock crowed three times).

18:00. Dinner

20:00. Fellowship - small groups - by nation or language

06:00. Prayer

06:30. Breakfast

08:00. Peace March in the Old City. Bring flags. From Jaffa Gate to Western Wall.

10:30. Proceed to El-Azarieh to see the Separation Wall.

12:00. Lunch at Grand Park Hotel Ramallah (or other venue, e.g., university)

15:00. Session II: Current relations of PA and Quartet

The Role of Religious Leaders to Assist the Process Segment Coordinator: Dr. Antonio Betancourt, M. Ali

Ramallah visit & symposium (invite ex-committee members from Palestinian political parties). Break into groups by bus for different activities which interact w/ locals, e.g., visit a hospital or charity, Service activity.)

Service Project - 19:00. Dinner

20:00. Fellowship

06:00. Prayer

06:30. Breakfast

08:00. Session III: U.S.A., Eu. Union, Israel & Palestine: The Path to Peace

Segment Coordinator: Tim Miller, J. Flynn
Main Speakers - Key authorities from all countries

10:00. Session IV: Israeli / Palestinian Dialogue: Israel and Palestine: The New Political Landscape and the Prospects for Peace

Segment Coordinator: Robin Marsh, Walid Sadiq, Dr. Glaubach

12:00 Lunch - Kibbutz Ramat Rachel / or other

15:00.Yad Vashem - Ceremony of Reconciliation

18:00. Dinner

20:00. Fellowship

06:00. Prayer

06:30. Breakfast

07:30. Depart for Nazareth, visit the Church of the Annunciation, the White Mosque. Project for Peace

12:00. Lunch at Tanoureen Restaurant by the Sea of Galilee

15:00. Visit the Church of Mt. Beatitudes, Capernaum, continue towards the Jordan River.

17:00. Cross into Jordan via Sheik Hussein Bridge

20:00. Dinner / Overnight in Jordan (Le Meridien Hotel)

06:00. Prayer

06:30. Breakfast

08:30. Session V: The Role of Jordan in the Peace Process Introduction of the Peace Academy

Segment Coordinator: Mr. David Fraser Harris,

12:00. Universal Peace Federation (Special Luncheon)

Dr. Thomas Walsh: "Universal Peace Federation - History & Current Development"
Rev. Chang Hwan Kwak, UPF International Chairman: Keynote Address

15:00. Panoramic sightseeing of Amman.

19:00. Dinner (free time)

05:00. Devotions

06:00. Prayer

06:30. Breakfast

07:00. Depart for Mt. Nebo

11:00. Cross into Israel

12:00. Lunch in Jericho at El Sultan restaurant with cable car.

14:00. West Bank – Bethlehem; visit the Church of the Nativity.

18:00. Universal Peace Federation (Special UPF Closing Banquet)

Dr. Thomas Walsh: "Universal Peace Federation - History and Current Development"
Rev. Chang Hwan Kwak, UPF International Chairman: "Keynote Address"

06:30. Breakfast

All day. Departures

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