August Newsletter

Destination Peace Monthly Digest

Insights, reflections, and updates from our peace-building journey.

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Welcome Section

Dear Valued Supporters and Friends of Destination Peace,

Welcome to the August 2025 edition of the Destination Peace Digest! This month we’re honored to share the remarkable journey of our founder, Emanuel C. Perlman, whose tireless mission to bridge nations through dialogue, empathy, and shared humanity continues to inspire us all. From the vibrant communities of Nigeria to the serene shores of the Caribbean and the historic squares of Europe, Emanuel’s work with Destination Peace is a testament to the power of listening and co-creating peace across cultures.

In this issue, we spotlight our transformative mission in Nigeria, reflect on the universal lessons learned from Emanuel’s global odyssey, and invite you to join us in amplifying hope. Destination Peace is weaving a global tapestry of reconciliation and understanding.

With gratitude and hope,

Destination Peace

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Welcome Note

Thank you for standing with us as we work toward a more peaceful, connected world. Your belief in our mission fuels our efforts to foster dialogue and healing across borders.

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July 2025 Developments

Feature Story: Emanuel C. Perlman’s Odyssey to Unite a Fractured World

In a world often divided by politics, culture, and history, Emanuel C. Perlman, the visionary behind Destination Peace, is forging a different path, one of unity, compassion, and actionable change. His global mission so far spans 46 countries, from the sunlit shores of the Caribbean to the vibrant heartlands of West Africa, each journey a deliberate act of bridge building. Through workshops, interfaith dialogues, and community driven initiatives, Emanuel is proving that peace is not a distant ideal but a living process, crafted through mutual respect and shared narratives.

Emanuel’s approach is rooted in deep listening and cultural humility. In the Caribbean, Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, and beyond he has harnessed music and storytelling to transcend barriers of language and history. In Jamaica, reggae rhythms set the stage for workshops on resilience, while in Haiti and Honduras, community forums turned historical tensions into opportunities for reconciliation. Small island nations like Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Tortola remind us that even the smallest communities can inspire boundless peace.

Across Western Europe, from the historic squares of Spain and Sweden to the diplomatic hubs of Switzerland and Vatican City, Emanuel has blended spiritual and secular approaches to peacemaking. In Denmark, Estonia, and Finland, his initiatives have illuminated hope in post conflict settings, while in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, intercultural forums have fostered resilience in diverse urban centers. In Iceland and Ireland, visits to houses of worship have sparked dialogues on shared values, proving that faith can be a unifying force.

Emanuel’s mission extends far beyond the West, reaching the vibrant markets of Ghana, the serene vistas of Mauritius, and the sacred spaces of India and Israel. In Greece and Gibraltar, he has drawn on rich histories to inspire modern peace building, while in Panama and Türkiye, economic and diplomatic hubs have become platforms for cross cultural understanding. Even in Monaco’s elite gatherings, Emanuel champions the value of every human story, showing that empathy and dialogue are universal tools for peace.

Nigeria Peace Mission: A Beacon of Transformation

Among Emanuel’s global journeys, his recent mission to Nigeria stands as a powerful milestone in Destination Peace’s work. In the heart of West Africa, where Nigeria’s rich tapestry of over 250 ethnic groups and complex historical tensions converge, Emanuel, alongside his adopted son and visionary partner Chukwuma Okenwa, facilitated transformative initiatives that bridged divides and amplified marginalized voices.

Collaborating with local and religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community advocates, Destination Peace co-hosted workshops on conflict resolution, cultural storytelling, and creative dialogue. These sessions, blending Nigerian traditions like storytelling and music with global peace-building strategies, empowered participants to overcome barriers of distance, difference, and mistrust. As Emanuel noted on LinkedIn, “Nigeria’s vibrant spirit showed us how creativity through music and shared narratives can heal divides and foster lasting reconciliation.”

A highlight was an audience with Nigerian King Samuel Ikechukwu, whose leadership in preserving cultural heritage while embracing progressive reconciliation efforts embodied the balance Destination Peace seeks. The mission also included a Peace Summit in Enugu, where religious and traditional leaders called for unity and tolerance, marking a historic breakthrough in inter-community relations, as reported by Core News Nigeria. These engagements not only amplified voices often overlooked in global peace conversations but also established institutional partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and government agencies to sustain peace efforts long after our visit.

The Nigeria mission exemplified Destination Peace’s commitment to grassroots inclusive peacemaking. Participants like local advocate Amaeze Victory described the experience as “a mind shift,” reflecting the personal transformations that ripple outward to communities. By harnessing Nigeria’s cultural richness, from music to storytelling, we created spaces where reconciliation became not just possible but palpable.

Highlights of the Nigeria Visit

We’re thrilled to share key moments from our Nigeria mission, which underscored the power of collaboration and cultural exchange:

• Leadership and Career Summit: Participated in a summit at the Institute of Management of Science and Technology, including a guided visit to the IMT Art Gallery and a heartfelt dialogue with the Rector on shared goals for peace and education.
• Queens Model Schools Visit: Emanuel delivered an inspiring speech to staff and students, and together with his wife, Janice, presented certificates at the Nursery and Primary Pupils’ graduation ceremony, celebrating young achievements.
• Peace Builders Summit: Engaged with distinguished religious leaders, traditional rulers, and civic leaders to foster dialogue on shared values, complemented by a press briefing with TVC News and a feature on AFIA TV.
• Podcast Recording: Recorded “PEACEFUL Homes,” a podcast reflecting on Emanuel and Janice Perlman’s 49 years of marriage, offering insights on family and societal cohesion.
• Cultural Welcome: Received a humbling red-carpet welcome at the airport, with drummers, dancers, and local dignitaries creating an atmosphere of unity, as Emanuel shared: “You added majesty and magic to our arrival.”

The Trailer for the Perlman’s Visit to Enugu

We extend our deepest gratitude to Chukwuma Okenwa, Queens Model School, elite members of the Special Forces, and all partners for their warm hospitality and unwavering commitment to peace.

Comparative Context and Future Directions

The Nigeria mission builds on Destination Peace’s broader West African strategy, following our transformative work in Ghana, where visits to Elmina Castle confronted the historical wounds of the transatlantic slave trade. As Emanuel wrote, “Step into Ghana’s dungeons, and you undertake a vital pilgrimage to confront humanity’s darkest truths.” This approach addressing historical trauma as a foundation for contemporary peace shaped our Nigeria efforts and will guide our upcoming 2025/2026 missions in Austria, Macedonia, Hungary, China, and Hong Kong. Each engagement adapts our peace-building framework to local contexts, expanding our global network of hope

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Quote from Manny

“When temptation whispers, let your principles speak to you louder to keep you true”

Emanuel C Pelman, Founder & CEO, Destination Peace.

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Our Latest Posts

• America the Beautiful Through the Prism of Destination Peace Read more
• THE EASTERN EYE, AFIA TV Episode Summary: “Harnessing Tourism Potentials in South East Nigeria: Culture, Economy & Destination Peace” Read more

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Upcoming Events

Stay tuned for our 25/26 initiatives, including:

• Peace Summits: Fostering dialogue in Central Europe.
• Cultural Exchange in China and Hong Kong: Exploring peace through shared heritage.
• Learning how North Macedonia and Hungary are Building community resilience.

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Suggested Articles

Dive deeper into our mission with these reads from our archives:

1. A Beacon of Hope in a Divided World Read more
2. Tilting Toward Peace Read more
3. Bet You Didn’t Know What Shapes a Stellar Voice Read more

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Follow Destination Peace for updates on our global initiatives. Together, we can amplify hope and build a more peaceful world.