Hyun Jin Preston Moon, the founder and chairman of the non-profit Global Peace Foundation (GPF), speaks during an interview, held at a resort in Munyonyo, Uganda, June 30. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation

MUNYONYO, Uganda — "It's very simple. How do you deal with corruption? How do you deal with poverty? All the social sciences and studies addressing these issues reach the same conclusion: you have to build good families."

Hyun Jin Preston Moon, founder and chairperson of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, emphasized the importance of building "One Family Under God" during a morning interview with Korean media in Munyonyo, Uganda, June 30.

The slogan "One Family Under God" aligns with the themes of the Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) held in Kenya and the Inter-Religious Family Festival held in Uganda in late June.

Both events centered on the GPF's mission of promoting the importance of family for spiritual and social cohesion, with Moon attending both events as a keynote speaker.

During the interview, Moon provided a more detailed explanation of how families formed under the name of God serve as bedrocks of a healthy society.

"How do you build a good nation? It's on the foundation of good families that teach ethical and moral values to their children so that they become good citizens that can contribute to the nation. How do you build a good economic environment? Once again by having good citizens and good families," the chairperson said.

According to the chairperson, the concept has faced major challenges in Korea, where Moon believes plummeting birth rates and soaring suicide rates illustrate a negative social shift.

"Look at the reality of the Korean family," Moon emphasized. "In my eyes, the Korean family was the most beautiful family model. But look at Korea now — (high) divorce rates and (the total fertility rate at) just 0.7. This should be a matter of shame for every Korean. This is the path to national and civilizational extinction."

Moon criticized the adoption of Western values during Korea's modernization, which he believes undermined traditional family structures.

"What was the cost of modernization when Korea adopted a lot of the Western values that eventually destroyed its family, changed the fabric of society, changed the relationship between men and women, changed the relationship between parents and children?" he said.

"Do you think it's for the better or do you think it's for the worse?"

Hyun Jin Preston Moon, first row second from left, hands over a plaque to President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni thanking him for his commitment towards promoting religious freedom and family values during the Inter-Religious Family Festival at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala, Uganda, June 29. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation

Spiritual values in family

Moon's critique of Western influence centered on its perceived neglect of spiritual values, which he argued has significantly eroded familial bonds.

"As a student of history, I believe many people, particularly in the West, fail to recognize the origins of freedom and fundamental human rights," Moon asserted, emphasizing the U.S. Declaration of Independence's proclamation that "all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."

He underscored, "Freedom and fundamental human rights stem from a transcendent source — God or the creator."

Focusing on spiritual values, Moon lamented the decline of these principles in the West, arguing that it has led to a weakening of familial and social bonds.

"Many Western democracies have forgotten about this foundational principle as they became more secular ... When you see America today, the reason why many things are starting to fall apart is because it lost that spiritual center. As that gets lost, then the whole fabric, because it's a very fragile fabric, starts to unwind," Moon stated.

Discussing the repercussions of modernization, Moon shared his wish for people around the world to consider the impact of pursuing of material wealth on familial and social relationships.

"When I engage with nations (in) Africa, my goal is to demonstrate that comprehensive development is achievable without abandoning their civilization, society or traditional values for the allure of modernity — they can have it all," Moon said.

"I come from a deeply spiritual religious family ... In my view, the most important thing in human life is family — the purpose of creation. And if we give that up for material things like a better car or a better apartment, then we've really we've really missed out on what is the most important in life."

The chairperson concluded the interview with a universal message.

"The concept of 'One Family Under God' holds profound significance for nations on the brink of growth and development. It reaffirms that they can uphold their precious cultural traditions and values while embracing modernity — they can indeed have it all."