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Interreligious Peace Council Inaugurated in Fiji
Written by UPF - Fiji
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Suva, Fiji - The inaugural meeting of the Interreligious Peace Council of Fiji with theme “Peace Principles and Interreligious Cooperation” was held on March 21, 2009, in the peaceful chamber of the Nasinu Town Council, which is located 15 minutes away from Suva, the capital city of Fiji Islands. Heads and representatives of various religious and faith-based organizations assembled to find a way to contribute to peacebuilding in Fiji, which has experienced four coups since her independence in 1970.
Participants included representatives from Christian churches as well as Hindu and Islamic organizations. The Chief Executive Officer of Nasinu Town Council, Mr. Satish Kumar, gave the Keynote Address in which he stressed that religious organizations should not just concentrate on the number of their own membership; instead, he said, the real strength of their faith lies in their members living pious and religious lives.
The Chairman of the Council, Hon. Paula Eroni Sotutu, a renowned former civil servant, shared his experiences in the Universal Peace Federation, a global peace organization, and urged religious leaders to work together to substantiate peace in Fiji.
The basic message presented by the Fiji Director of the Universal Peace Federation, Mr. Kenji Watanabe, was that humankind is "One Family under One God.” He also encouraged participants to connect with individuals and programs which contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony, and cooperation.
In the last session, which was about deeloping an action plan, several positive comments and proposals were raised among the leaders, and the all participants of the day determined to work together to bring fundamental peace in Fiji. The next Council meeting will take place in May.
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