Liberia Celebrates International Football Day with Youth-Centered Peace Initiative

Written by UPF-Africa
Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Liberia — On May 23, 2025, the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Liberia Chapter commemorated International Football Day with a vibrant educational event held at the Dya-Wulu Cooperative Learning Center. The program brought together students, educators, and national leaders to emphasize the unifying power of football and its role in peacebuilding.

The event began with an inspiring reading of the poem “Crown of Glory” by student Joy N. Flomo, setting a reflective tone for the celebration. This was followed by the official reading of the International Football Day Declaration and Resolution by student Antoinette D. Kenneth, highlighting the importance of sports in fostering peace, development, and solidarity among youth across cultural and national divides.

An interactive session with students provided a platform for engaging discussions around the significance of the day. The students asked questions and gained deeper insights into the concept of peace, the historical relevance of football in diplomacy, and the influential role of Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Holy Mother and co-founder of UPF, in the global peace movement. As a symbolic gesture of peace education, a copy of “Mother of Peace”, Dr. Moon’s memoir, was donated to the school.

Representing the President of UPF Liberia and the international headquarters, Ambassador McCarthy G. Teayah, Secretary General of UPF Liberia, delivered remarks that resonated deeply with the students. He encouraged them to embrace football not only as a sport but as a tool for peacebuilding, teamwork, and moral development. He also underscored the family’s central role in building a peaceful society.

The guest speaker, Minister Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Planning, Research, and Development at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, emphasized the value of teamwork, dedication, and collaboration, especially within football. He reflected on how the sport transcends racial and cultural barriers and becomes a vehicle for unity and shared values.

Ambassador Ruth C. Engmann, Executive Director of the Girls & Mothers Empowerment Network, used her remarks to inspire young girls to actively engage in sports. She encouraged them to pursue excellence in sporting activities and emphasized that the benefits of teamwork and unity in sports should be embraced by all, not just boys.

Mr. Aldophus Zoegar, Jr., Administrator of the Dya-Wulu Cooperative Learning Center, concluded the event by expressing heartfelt appreciation to UPF Liberia for its peace education efforts. He called for an official partnership between the school and UPF Liberia to ensure continued engagement and the promotion of peace through educational and community-based initiatives.

This celebration of International Football Day stood as a strong testament to the power of youth, education, and sports in building a harmonious future, guided by the vision of “One Family Under God.”