Oslo, Norway - A European Leadership Conference sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation and Women’s Federation for World Peace was held in Oslo, Norway, on April 30 and May 1. Distinguished delegates from many European countries were in attendance.
There is a growing awareness among people throughout the world of the urgent need for innovative vision and bold leadership if we are to resolve the critical issues of our time. The first conference in this year’s series convened 120 participants (ranging from legal and human rights professionals to religious leaders, grassroots activists and UN Ambassadors) at the World Council of Churches and the United Nations in Geneva to explore "Human Rights and Dignity and the Prevention of Incitement to Racial, National and Religious Hatred." The theme of this second conference was "Towards Lasting Peace in a World of Rapid Change."
The first day of the Oslo conference was convened in the Stortinget (Parliament Building) and addressed the topics: "A Changing World – Challenges Ahead" and "From a Culture of Conflict to a Culture of Peace." The second day of the program explored practical insights into the peacebuilding process and delve into the ways we can move beyond conflict, inequality, and division toward reconciliation and working together for mutual benefit.