On August 28th through 31st of the year 2000, two thousand of the world's preeminent religious and spiritual leaders representing the many faith traditions gathered at the United Nations for a Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders.

Addressing the world's population through a live telecast from the United Nations General Assembly Hall, these revered leaders demonstrated their united commitment and determination to work together to eliminate the causes that perpetrate violence and lead to war. The World Peace Summit was an historic occasion, for it is the first time that an assembly of such prestigious spiritual leaders from all over the world gathered at the United Nations, marking a new era of collaboration between the different religious communities and between the world's political and spiritual leadership.

Ilchi Lee was one of the spiritual leaders in attendance. At the summit he recited the Prayer of Peace, which he had authored for the occasion, calling for a peace beyond religion and culture. After his attendance, he promised himself that the prayer would not see its end as mere words. He vowed to someday return to the UN with practical means of promoting world peace.