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Steps toward a Thai Interreligious Peace Council
Written by UPF - Thailand
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand - UPF-Thailand hosted a consultation on December 22 about a possible interreligious peace council in Thailand.
As during the two previous consultations, the vision, mission, objectives, policies, and method of operation of such an interreligious council were discussed. This meeting focused on how an interreligious council might solve conflict and promote cooperation, morality, goodness, and peace in Thai society. If such a council contributes significantly to Thailand, the government of Thailand might propose the establishment of an interreligious peace council in the UN.
The conference discussed ways such a council can address conflicts that come from religion or between religions and how to encourage religious institutions to join together to promote morality, good governance, family values, and peace. Participants in this consultation included
- a representative of the highest Roman Catholic leader in Thailand
- a representative of the highest Muslim leader in Thailand
- a representative of the highest Hindu leader
- a representative of the national Buddhist office of Thailand
- the Vice Secretary General of the National Buddhist Association Thailand
- a representative of the President of Mahamakut Buddhist University
- a representative of the Committee for the Stability of National Buddhism
- the Secretary General of the Anti-Corruption and Good Governance Committee of the Senate of Thailand
- the Vice President of the Professors World Peace Academy
- the Vice President and Secretary General of UPF-Thailand
- Ambassadors for Peace
The discussion took place from 1:00 until 6:30 pm and closed with participants full of determination, hope, and energy to help to develop this council in order to resolve conflicts and promote morality and family values in Thailand society.
Finally, participants discussed how such a council could function on a national level. They discussed ways to enlist the highest leaders of each religion and denomination in Thailand as committee members and how to get the recognition and support of the Department of Religions, the Office of National Buddhism, and the Office of the National Committee of Buddhist Monks. Various advisers and sub-committees were proposed to support the main committee in order to help develop a council that can have a national impact.
Next steps:
- Finalizing the principles and methods of operation of such a council
- Visiting top religious leaders and inviting them to be members of the council
- Meeting the Minister of Culture, Director of Department of Religions, Director of Office of National Buddhism, etc.
Targeted date of inauguration: April 2011
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