Speeches
- Written by: H.E. Libran N. Cabactulan, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations
Violence can be defined as the deprivation of inalienable rights that define one's humanity. As a function of its impact on individuals and societies, violence can also be defined as inaction or silence. I would submit that violence is a counter value that must be addressed by bringing to bear the values we hold dear.
- Written by: H.E. U. Joy Ogwu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations
There have been cases of conflict involving Nigerians of differing regional, tribal, and religious backgrounds. While the majority of Nigerians are peace-loving people, there are those who stimulate violence, often to serve their own interests.
- Written by: Dr. Eileen R. Borris, Director of Training and Program Development, Institute of Multi-Track Diplomacy
The objective of the "Schools of Forgiveness and Reconciliation" is to create communities of peace that heal the wounds of conflict and encourage reconciliation. The premise behind the training program is that if victims do not heal from their psychological wounds, they have a higher likelihood of becoming future perpetrators of crime. Therefore, the first part of the program supports people in their healing process by giving them the opportunity to tell their stories, transform their narratives, and begin a healing process.
- Written by: David W.T. Brattston, Writer on early and contemporary Christianity
All Christians before the mass apostasy of A.D. 249-251 who wrote on Christian participation in war opposed it on ethical grounds.
- Written by: Charan Kullavanijaya, President, the Council of Buddhist Organizations, Thailand
Address to the International Leadership Conference, Seoul, Korea, January 2012
Developments in the Pattani region of southern Thailand over the centuries are given as an example of people of different faiths living together.
- Written by: R. Badamdamdin, Former Member of Parliament, Mongolia
Address to the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, January 2012
The countries in the region should support establishing relations with the new leaders of North Korea. Foreign countries have a tendency to observe and wait. However, making immediate initiatives and engaging in negotiations is important.
- Written by: Hon. Ran Cohen, Former Minister of Industry and Trade, Israel
Address to the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, January 2012
If a peaceful contract can be drawn up for the two states to live side by side in peace and security and if the proposal can be brought as a referendum before both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides, then there is a real opportunity that the people on both sides will approve such a peaceful contract by a large majority.
- Written by: Marion Pedersen, Former Member, Parliament of Denmark
Address to the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, January 2012
Shall we as politicians focus on the problems or on the possibilities? I choose to see possibilities instead of barriers. But to do that, it is necessary to see people not as Muslims or Christians but first of all as human beings and as citizens.
- Written by: Jacques Nguyen Thai Son, Scientific and Diplomatic Advisor to the Académie de Géopolitique de Paris, France
In deploying a new scheme for the Asia Pacific region, the US ultimately seeks to invite China to come to terms with the West in defining a new and just pax pacifica that offers security, prosperity, and human dignity for the region and the world at large.
- Written by: H.E. Rahim Huseynov, Former Prime Minister, Azerbaijan
Address to the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, February 2012
Could it be that politicians ignore the fact that territorial integrity and the right of self-determination are two mutually contradictory principles? Could this be the reason why both the mediators and the international community have been unable to bridge the gap between Azerbaijan and Armenia?
- Written by: Dr. Joyce M. Davis, President, World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, USA
Freedom of information, the rights of people to have access to a free and unfettered media, is key for peace and stability. We are seeing in the Middle East the manifestations of immense political change that will impact the entire world.
- Written by: Toshio Miyatsuka, Professor, Faculty of Management Information, Yamanashi Gakuin University, Japan
Presentation to the International Leadership Conference in Seoul, Korea, January 2012
There has been hardly any trade and very limited human contact between Japan and North Korea after the 2009 nuclear test by Pyongyang.