Speeches
- Written by: Dr. Yoshiyuki Amemiya, Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo, Japan
“Human conflicts occur when people insist on their own viewpoints, but science effectively attempts to unify different ideas, offering precious suggestions as we pursue the ideals of human civilization.”
- Written by: Swami Shantatmananda, head and secretary of the Ramakrishna Mission, India
“The faith in any religion automatically brings into focus many humanitarian values which, if practiced, will result in tremendous peace and harmony in this world.”
- Written by: Msgr. Martinho Germano da Silva Gusmão, Catholic Bishop of Dili, Timor Leste
“We are called to work for justice, peace and integrity of creation.”
- Written by: Father Joseph Saghbini, Parish Priest, Melkite Catholic Church, Lebanon
“I see the reciprocal relationship between peace, security and human development. Without peace and security, there is no human development.”
- Written by: Rev. Dr. Mark Abernathy, National Co-President, ACLC, USA
“Religious leaders, it is our responsibility to bring calm, unity and peace to our sphere of influence. Loving one another with all honesty is doing the will of God.”
- Written by: Mgr. Nicolas, Patriarch, Orthodox Patriarchate of Nations, France
“If we want to speak about and establish peace, we ourselves must be altruistic, filled with the love of God. We must prove by our deeds and not just our words that God’s love is within us. In that way, we will be able to transmit peace, multiply it and lead others towards peace.”
- Written by: Kimmo Kalevi Sasi, Minister of Foreign Trade (1999- 2002) and Minister of Transport and Communications (2002-2003), Finland
“Let me present you a solution worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize – the European Union. No one can imagine that France and Germany would go into a war. When you continuously sit at the same table and find common interests, you don’t even think of war as a solution. Four freedoms, freedom of goods, labor, capital and services, are such a benefit for citizens that people do not want high borders anymore.”
- Written by: Ruth Cleaver, President, Auckland Interfaith Council, New Zealand
“By joining the interfaith movement, we have the opportunity to model together the differences we wish to see in the world.”
- Written by: Most Ven. Dr. Hongsa Boriboun, Deputy Director-General of Committee for Sangha Foreign Affairs of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Lao PDR
“The meetings this time will be useful in furthering the cooperation of government leaders, religious leaders, women leaders, civil society leaders and the media to share experiences and learn new innovations for human development. Buddha promoted the teachings of Morality, Meditation and Wisdom particularly. Development of society and culture, based on ethics and virtue, leads to peace.”
- Written by: Father Yacobos Abu-Aaqel, Priest, Arabic Orthodox Community, Israel
“World peace is the gift of gifts that never dies. That is why one should always look for peace, which we find in God and true friendships like we have here in Korea and other places in the world. The world peace that God has created is necessary for all of us.”
- Written by: Dr. Ven Sobhita, Principal, International Buddhist Education Center, Myanmar
“By holding individual spiritual and moral values, universal and human values, by ensuring human rights and by cooperation, I am sure we can achieve our vision of a peaceful world.”
- Written by: Rev. Suhadi Sendjaja, Chairman, Nichiren Shoshu, Indonesia
“The only way to improve moral quality and avoid disasters is to raise up the intrinsic awareness inherent in every human being.”