Speeches
- Written by: Suzuki Shinkichi and Rouchdy Saleh, Editors, Misr and the World, Cairo, Egypt
In Islam, the beneficial use of water is best viewed from the perspective of the broad provisions against misuse of rights. Rights to water are governed by moral and legal regulations. The former require good conduct and consideration for others as well as conformity to accepted norms.
- Written by: John S. Mbiti, Burgdorf, Switzerland
People want peace in our time, peace tomorrow, and peace in this new millennium. We want religion to be an asset for peace and not a liability, and African Religion is potentially one such strong asset. It does not preach, foster, or justify war between communities or nations. That makes it a challenge to the institutions of the other religions, to engrave the message of peace at all levels of life, in both internal and international relations.
- Written by: Dr. Leo Gabriel, Vienna, Austria
An interreligious council at the UN should recognize the diversity of currents not only among the different religious institutions but also within these institutions. Representation should center on the diversity of people. The decision-making process should reflect the wisdom of indigenous peoples, for whom consensus is more important than majority rule.
- Written by: Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury
NEW YORK (IDN) - The International Women's Day in 2000 was an extraordinary day for me and will remain so for the rest of my life. That day, I had the honour, on behalf of the United Nations Security Council as its President, of issuing a statement that formally brought to global attention the unrecognized, under-utilized and under-valued contribution women have been making to preventing war, to building peace and to engaging individuals and societies live in harmony.
- Written by: Chad Ford, Professor of Conflict Resolution, Brigham Young University, Hawaii
People-to-people programs that break down barriers between publics need to be promoted. Programs that bring together students, teachers, journalists, artists, and others in cooperative ventures such as sports events are necessary for breeding greater familiarity, reducing tendencies to demonize, and eroding stereotypes.
- Written by: Amb. Akira Matsui
In ancient Japan it is said that there were 8 million gods. Some gods lived in mountains, in big rocks or trees and forests, the sea and rivers. Some of them were strong warriors, foxes, snakes, the moon, the wind and the thunder. The most important of them was the sun, the origin of Shintoism.
- Written by: Rt. Hon. Parmananda Jha, Vice President, Nepal
Next year, 2011, we are celebrating “Nepal Tourism Year.” I would like to invite you all to come to Nepal for your honeymoon.
- Written by: Rt. Hon. Parmananda Jha, Vice-President, Nepal
- Written by: Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, UPF International Chairman
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you here to the Cheon Bok Gung. This sanctuary is dedicated to the vision and wisdom of Almighty God, who leads us toward peace according to divine providence. This providence has been served through all the world’s great religions and faith traditions and can only be consummated or realized by all of them working in concert.
- Written by: Dr. Bernard Sabella, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Bethlehem University, Palestine
For us people of faith in our society, dialogue does not mean only meeting each other in discussions but living our lives together. This is referred to as the dialogue of life. In such a dialogue, it is important that we work together, stand side by side, and join hands in order to promote the welfare of our society and its general good. The dialogue of life is also a constant reminder of the great traditions of openness within our religious traditions to each other. It is a reminder of the history of living together.
- Written by: Dr. Eliezer Glaubach, former city councilman, Jerusalem
Personal reflections about the proposal for an interreligious council at the United Nations, with references to Jewish and Christian scriptures. In these troubled times, people's hopes may have been shattered, leaving them feeling as if God has abandoned them. An interreligious council could offer a hopeful vision and direction.
- Written by: Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, UPF Chairman
In August 2000, Rev. Sun Myung Moon outlined his vision at a speech he delivered at the United Nations. He explained that just as each of us has both a mind and a body, and just as each one of us is both a spiritual being and a material or physical being, so too are human institutions and organizations. They too must have a mind and a spiritual center. Thus he proposed a council composed of exemplary and mature representatives and learned advocates of the world’s spiritual traditions that would uphold the spiritual wisdom and heritage of humanity, representing God’s guidance for all of us.