Resources
Vol. 26, No. 2, Fall 2012, issue of Dialogue & Alliance had the theme: "Religion and Peace in the Middle East" featuring presentations at recent UPF conferences.
Become inspired with faith and love for others. Love all the creation because of the Creator. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone. So long as you remain in yourself, you are a particle. But if you get united with everybody, you are a mine, an ocean.
Interreligious cooperation among the religious leaders and devotees is important to build and maintain peace and happiness. The Buddha said: “There is no happiness without peace,” and “There is no peace without tolerance and forgiveness.”
Here in Indonesia, I sincerely hope you will work together in establishing a new paradigm of peace, leadership, and good governance. As the country with the largest Muslim population, people throughout the world and the Islamic world in particular are looking up to your nation to lead the way towards peace, happiness, and prosperity.
Today we honor UPF-Korea. Its mission has only begun. May it flourish, growing in strength, wisdom, and capacity each and every day. For the world needs you.
The history of war and conflict over the centuries has had its effect on the respective attitudes of Europeans and Russians toward one another. These experiences give rise to a mutual and reasonable distrust of one another, rooted in historical memory. Indeed, there are challenges standing in the way of better relations. Nevertheless I remain hopeful.
Russia was always a part of Europe, and Europe's historical and cultural identity would not be complete without Russia's contribution to it. Today, after the tragic experiences of the 20th century, we have the chance for the first time to create a peaceful Europe without dividing lines. Regarding Russia, this is of course not a one-way street. Both sides have to deliver. But while Russia has to complete its transition into a member of the European family of democracies, the other part of Europe has to accept the new Russia as a partner with equal rights and equal opportunities.
Russia is open for dialogue on human rights, but, again, this should be a dialogue among equal partners who are willing to listen and hear the arguments of each other. It should be a dialogue free from bias, political preferences, and double standards.
In the modern era of globalization, it is impossible to reach understanding without dialogue; without mutual understanding no cooperation can be productive. Therefore, with the expanding globalization and growing ethnic and cultural diversity in the world, we need to pursue compromise in inter-civilizational and intercultural dialogues and promote a peacekeeping consciousness in our communities.
The conclusions of European scientists and politicians about the need to choose other approaches to integrating ethnic minorities that are not based on the concept of multiculturalism in order to prevent the splitting of society could be applied to Russia. As for practical recommendations, we should focus on the fact that in both European states and Russia there is a basic culture that unites different segments of society and formulate the idea of a protected identity, a common language, preserving the majority that will consolidate the state.
Russia has firm intentions to move forward on a visa-free track with the EU, and our nation is ready to solve all technical aspects of this urgent problem. It is now the EU's turn to demonstrate their political will in favor of cancelling visas and confirming the real strategic character of our partner relations.
Not long ago, before Rev. Sun Myung Moon passed away, he encouraged our two UPF chapters of Europe and Eurasia to hold joint meetings, emphasising the fact that Europe and Russia have a common destiny and a joint responsibility for global peace in the 21st century. As it occurs, Russia’s recent access to the World Trade Organization will certainly open up a whole new potential in bilateral relations.