From September 21 ­ 24, 2004 the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, and the Interreligious and International Peace Council sponsored its first ever "International Peace Conference for Mongolian Leaders from Around the World." The subtitle of the conference was "Establishing a World Culture of Heart and Lasting Peace: The Significance of Mongolian History, Culture, and Family Tradition."

The conference concept was a direct inspiration of Dr. Sun Myung Moon. It was called with his typical providential urgency and much of its formulation and development occurred under his direct supervision.

Very important to note is how term "Mongolian Leaders" was used in this context. The closest concept (yet even that not perfect) is "people of Mongolian descent." Furthermore, this notion of Mongolian descent was conceived in the broadest manner possible. Mongolians were considered racially and ethnically from the most ancient imaginable origins, well past common points of consensus among ethnographers and scientific historians. Dr. Moon recommends that the earliest Mongolians are descendents of Shem (Noah's family), and historical migrations brought this race to every corner of the world including Northeast Asia, North and South America, Micronesia, and other locations.

Reverend Kwak in several of his speeches, including his keynote address recommended that Mongolians (in this ultimately broad construct) are descendents of Shem.

God sought to create one race, one nation, world, culture, and language centering on Noah's family. Through this he could bring a unified world. A world no longer characterized by the kind of confrontation and struggle among races, religions, nations, ideologies, languages, customs, and cultures that we see today.

Sadly though, mistakes were made in Noah's family and God had to begin all over again. The eldest son from that new start is the ancestor for the Mongolian people today [T]he descendents of Shem.

This observation about elder son has implications. Reverend Kwak, later in the same speech explained to those gathered:

From a providential point of view the elder son must protect and preserve the purity of God's lineage of goodness Š He has the responsibility fo live for the sake of his younger siblings and the entire creation through true love.

From this point of view, it is clear to see that the inner purpose of this conference has great and enduring significance. Because the operating definition of "Mongolian Leaders from Around the World," is so broad, the primary constituents were Mongolian, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese. But also representatives from 34 other nations were also present. Participants numbered 300 in all.

Important aspects of the conference were ceremonial, artistic, and experiential. There were heartwarming occasions of song and performance, especially at the opening and closing banquets. One session included a ceremony to dedicate marriage and family to the cause of world peace. In the session prior to the closing banquet a brotherhood and sisterhood ceremony allowed participants from the world over to meet, establish channels for ongoing communication, and devote themselves to one another across religious and national boundaries to work for peace, in the name of inheriting the mission of the Mongolian peoples. The closing banquet had a great many uplifting moments. Awards were given to outstanding leaders, a coronation ceremony for the King and Queen of Peace was held briefly to allow the Mongolian peoples to honor Reverend and Mrs. Moon (in absentia) for their life of dedication and to acknowledge and receive the mission of the Mongolian peoples. Additionally the formal inauguration for the Mongolian People's Federation for World Peace took place.

In addition to these substantial occasions of ceremony, art, experience, and dedication, the conference incorporated a solid foundation of scholarship and intellectual pursuits. Sessions included Rediscovering the Roots of Mongolian Culture: Tradition, Lineage, Religion, Language, and History, Exploring the History and Interaction Among the Nations and Cultures of Northeast Asia, The Culture of Heart and Efforts for Peace, and Addressing Issues of Family Breakdown. These sessions showcased scholars from top universities in China, Japan, Korea, and Mongolia offering excellent research and analysis into the issues at hand.

The initiative has far ranging implications for international and race relations in Asia, the Northeast, and throughout the world. It is an initiative with exceptional vision and creativity with genuine promise for a future world of peace.

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