February 26, 2013
Translated by Lymhwa Kim
Edited by Ariana Moon and Krista Karjalainen
The Wonmo Pyeongae (Eternal Parent’s Love) Foundation was officially inaugurated as a non-profit foundation on February 20, 2013 (Korea Time) at the Cheon Jeong Gung in Gapyeong, Korea before an audience of approximately 1,000 people. The late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), had proposed the idea for the Foundation in 2011 yet did not survive to see his project realized.
According to Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation’s website, www.wonmo.org, Wonmo means “eternal parent” which refers to God, “the Heavenly Parent.” Pyeongae means “equal love” or “peaceful love.” The Foundation’s logo is composed of a green pigeon and a blue heart above an orange laurel wreath. The website explains that the pigeon symbolizes “peace,” the heart symbolizes “true love,” and together their formation embodies the safe arrival of a peaceful world centered on God’s peaceful love, which is eternal love. The green color symbolizes ideal peace, the blue color symbolizes true love and hopeful vision, and the orange color symbolizes future victory and glory. These colors represent Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation’s bright future towards establishing a peaceful word that transcends religions and races.
The Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation has five main functions. First, it aims to award “scholarships” for Unificationist undergraduate- and high-school students who have exemplary grades, are underprivileged or who have joined outstanding activities in their church. To receive a scholarship, candidates need to attend school in Korea. In the future, the Foundation plans to expand the scholarship eligibility to Korean citizens who plan to attend school abroad. Its second function is to create “Educational Supports.” Wonmo Pyeongae will host an educational program contest for organizations that work in the field of education. The Foundation is also developing a leadership camp. Its third function is to carry out the “Commemoration Project,” which means promoting “Sunhak Peace Awards,” to commemorate Rev. Moon’s contributions to world peace. Candidates for awards will include both individuals and organizations that have contributed annually towards a peaceful world. The fourth function is “Social Contribution.” Awards will be given to candidates or organizations which have served in areas such as counseling, serving multi-cultural families, service for the handicapped. etc. The fifth function is “Scientific Research.” The Foundation will support students who do research on peace theories. Additionally, the Foundation will host symposiums on the topic of “peace.”
In order to apply for the scholarships, candidates need to create an application account at www.wonmo.org and prepare between six to eight documents. The scholarship application will require an application form, a recommendation from a pastor, an essay about the candidate’s dream, school records, a copy of bank statements and a consent form. The candidates, who can show outstanding participation in church, need their organization’s confirmation document - Undergraduate students can get the document from CARP Korea, and high-school students can get the document from the second-generation departments of their local churches. Underprivileged candidates need to attach documents such as medical-insurance bills, sources of income, etc.
The table below reports how the scholarships will be distributed in the next year and the award amount depending on the eligibility criteria.
During the Foundation’s inauguration ceremony, Dr. Chang Shik Yang, president of FFWPU Korea, offered an opening prayer, and Dr. Bo Hi Pak, president of the Korean Cultural Foundation, gave a report on the Foundation’s proceedings. Mrs. Min Ha Kim, CEO of the Wonmo Pyeongae and the former president of Joongang University, said in her welcoming speech, “I will do my best to support the Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation to raise talented people.” Kim also said that the Foundation would promote the “Sunhak Peace” awards, which go to individuals or organizations practicing Rev. Moon’s vision of peace internationally.
Mr. Su Seong Lee, the former prime minister of Korea, then offered the following remarks: “Congratulations on the inauguration of the Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation, through which Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon inherited Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s vision of educating talented youth to spread peace. I’m certain this Foundation will become a hope in the world.”
During her “Founder’s Speech,” Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon said, “Dr. Sun Myung Moon devoted his lifetime to build a global family, and his desire is embodied through the Wonmo Pyeongae Foundation… The Foundation will focus on the role of educating talented youth, as well as contributing to society through businesses… Please become a peace-loving global citizen who inherits Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s will.”
As its first project of 2013, the Foundation awarded about four billion won ($3.7 million) worth in scholarships to 745 selected individuals and organizations during its inauguration ceremony.