FOLLOW US
Peace and Security
Commentary: Liberty and Justice for All
Written by UPF - International
Friday, February 25, 2011
As the year 2011 gets underway, we are witnessing a sudden, dramatic and unexpected emergence of popular uprisings in the Arab world. The political and social landscape in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya have already been permanently changed, and every nation in the region now wonders if it will be the next.
As the world watches the brave young people of North Africa take a stand for democracy and freedom, UPF urges governmental, religious, and civil society leaders to commit themselves to peaceful transition, and to ensure that changes result in widespread human development, empowerment, and expanded liberties for all.
There can be no peace without reconciliation, and there can be no reconciliation without forgiveness. Every religion and every social institution should stand ready to make a new start for peace, preferring the promise of a united and inclusive future to the understandable yet unproductive desire for retaliation.
For any nation to enjoy a lasting peace, all of its peoples – minorities and majorities alike – need to be free to play a part. All faiths need to be respected, and protected. The rights of women and youth need to be protected, and representatives of diverse groups must be encouraged to take leadership roles.
The United Nations, the United States, and the developed nations of the world, along with faith leaders and private sector representatives, now have an opportunity to make an unequivocal commitment to the cause of good governance and peace in the region, in order that the dramatic actions taking place on the streets may bear fruit as stable, prosperous, and free societies.
News: New York Times' latest reports by nation
Commentaries: US Institute of Peace, Tikkun, Fellowship of Reconciliation
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Sweden
UPF-Sweden Program Features UPF's Principles of Peace
Stockholm, Sweden—UPF’s Principles of Peace were at the center of the third Nordic Peace Seminar.
Sri Lanka
UPF Conference at Sri Lankan Parliament Calls for Regional Cooperation
Colombo, Sri Lanka–The Parliament of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with ISCP and IAPP, co-organized a Parliamentarians Leadership Conference.
Peru
UPF-Peru Observes UN International Day of Peace
Lima, Peru—UPF-Peru observed the UN International Day of Peace 2023 in the auditorium of the Casa Ramón Castilla.