Moon founded the Global Peace Foundation in 2009 and is active as its chairman. The Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization with a stated mission to promote "an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision that all humanity is 'One Family under God'." The Foundation's programs aim to facilitate intercultural and interreligious cooperation, strengthen families and communities, and foster a culture of service and peace. Moon asserts that peace efforts require effective approaches to preventing and resolving conflicts rooted in universal principles and values and a vision that can guide the formation of free and prosperous civil societies.
Author and thought leader
Korean unification
Moon has been involved in the campaign for Korean unification for a decade. In 2014, Moon wrote the book Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea. The book calls for greater public engagement with the unification issue, especially led by S. Korean civil society organizations working in partnership with government. He urged the S. Korean government to make unification its national agenda to lead global opinion, especially with heightened interest surrounding North's increased nuclear threats. Moon's approach to unification appeals to a shared historic, 5,000-year Korean identity, and particularly the ancient Korean ethic named "Hongik Ingan," which means "to broadly benefit humanity." He states that with Hongik Ingan as the guiding vision, "Unification will set the moral precedent for aligning with our historic heritage and providential destiny... to shine the light of hope opening the path for all people in a world mired in conflict." Moon described his book as shifting the focus from technical questions of process to clarifying the end goal of unification. "I ask what type of new nation should Koreans aspire to establish, and what shared vision and enduring principles should guide them towards it," Moon wrote. The Korean Culture and Arts Publications recognized Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea as the 2014 "Book of the Year" in the society category. An English version with a foreword by The Heritage Foundation founder Edwin Feulner was published in December 2016. The book was included in the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency's 2018 Professional Reading List under the "Global Analysis" category. Moon founded Action for Korea United, an alliance currently consisting of over 800 Korean civic groups, in 2012. In 2015 the coalition launched the One Korea Global Campaign committee to garner global support for Korean Unification through the medium of popular culture, especially K-pop. They have held two 'One K Concerts' towards that aim, in Seoul, Korea and Manila, Philippines, featuring well-known artists.
New models of development
Moon has advocated the need for new development models that bring material prosperity without compromising spiritual and moral traditions, including traditional family values. He has advocated the Korean development modelSaemaul Undong of the 1970s for encouraging self-reliance and promoting high standards of education to strengthen human capital. He has encouraged Korean industry leaders to invest in development projects in Paraguay, noting the developing nation's potential to become a hub for industrialization, distribution and service fields in South America.
Economic reform
Moon has pointed out the weaknesses of the South Korean economy since 2014. He presented a plan for economic reform to S. Korean business and government heads in preparation for peninsular unification, and urged South Korean financial institutions and government policy-makers to allow everyday entrepreneurs more access to capital to stimulate the economy and create job opportunities for Koreans of both North and South. Moon also advocated for economic reform in the Philippines, calling for less government interference in the marketplace, saying the country could play a key role to economically lead ASEAN and promote peace and stability. Moon is a businessman, holding a Master of Business administration from Harvard University. He is chairman of News World Communications, Inc.
Youth leadership
Moon has spoken at various venues and programs encouraging youth leadership as a significant resource to benefit the greater society by challenging conventional norms with fresh perspectives and passion. The Global Peace Foundation annually co-organizes the Global Youth Summit in the Philippines to engage and inspire young people in addressing the world's persistent problems.
Moon founded Service For Peace in 2001. Service For Peace is an international service and educational non-government organization recognized by the United Nations. Service For Peace involves volunteers in ongoing community development programs throughout the world. Their programs are designed to further the growth and development of individuals and communities through the shared experience of voluntary service.
The Moon family has pursued Korean Unification for 4 generations. Hyun Jin Preston Moon's great-uncle was a prominent member of the Korean anti-colonial movement, and helped draft the Korean Declaration of Independence. His father, Sun Myung Moon was at the forefront of engagement with North Korea starting in 1991.
