Global Peace Festival 2011 Celebrates Mongolia’s Heritage and Role for The 21st-Century

Eric Olsen

September 1, 2011

GPF Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon (top right) addresses the Festival crowd on historic Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar.

Some 60 thousand Mongolians gathered in Ulaanbaatar’s Sukhbaatar Square, a grand public space in the heart of Mongolia’s capital city, to celebrate the nation’s heritage, contemporary achievements, and role for peace in the twenty-first century. The 2011 Global Peace Festival on August 26 featured performers from Inner Mongolia, Korea, and the ethnic Mongolian Autonomous Russian Republics of Buryat, Tuva, and Khalimag. Peace messages were also presented from international speakers who attended the just-concluded Global Peace Leadership Conference, “Mongolia and Northeast Asia Peace.”

The evening program opened with inspirational words from Mr. N. Sodnomdorj, a former Member of Parliament and director of Service For Peace Mongolia. U.S. Congressman Eni. Faleomavaega, the ranking member of the House Asia and Pacific subcommittee, then delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of his colleagues in the U.S. Congress.

Global Peace Foundation Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon gave the main address of the evening, encouraging Mongolians to take greater responsibility for peace in Northeast Asia. “I believe Mongolia’s history has important lessons that the world can learn in advancing the ways of peace,” Dr. Moon told the festival crowd. “Today I believe that Mongolia stands ready to enter a new period of greatness drawing upon the lessons of the past.”

Major donors to the GPF-supported campaign the Power of Ten Tugriks were recongized during the Festival.

Unlike most festivals, the Global Peace Festival drew people not only for entertainment but to deliver boxes of donations collected through the “Power of 10 Tugriks” campaign. The campaign encourages donations of small amounts—ten tugriks is the smallest currency in Mongolia—so that a the greatest number of people can participate and a culture of giving can be fostered.

The launch of Power of 10 Tugriks latest campaign was announced at a press conference earlier in August. More than 200 young people worked on the project in preparation for the Festival. During the ceremonies, five companies received Social Responsibility awards and the highest contributing families and children were also recognized. The most prominent activists in the “We are the Owners of Development” program also received awards. This program highlights best practices among community-driven development projects.

The evening was enlivened by top rock bands such as Kharanga, 3 Girls, Motive, Sarantuya, Egshiglen, BX, Animon, and Fire; and by singers such as Ariunaa, Otgoo—winner of Universe Best Song competition organized by Ulaanbaatar Broadcasting Service (UBS) channel—and international performers from many nations. UBS was the major media partner of the Festival, supporting it with extensive promotions and live coverage of the entire event.