Speeches
- Written by: Hon. Bhubaneswar Kalita, Member of Parliament, India
“The effort in bringing parliamentarians and religious leaders together to involve faith leaders in guiding and influencing global political affairs toward establishing sustainable peace and development is truly remarkable."
- Written by: Hon. Kiyoshi Ejima, Member of the House of Councilors, Japan
The three major nations of Northeast Asia, namely, Japan, South Korea and China, collectively produce 22 percent of the world’s total GDP. … With North Korea added to these three nations, however, the Northeast Asian region is plagued with complex problems such as an ideological confrontation long after the Cold War … East Asia which is separated by the Genkai Sea as well as the 38th parallel does not have a regional transportation system with high reliability and efficiency, making a major bottleneck against the expansion of regional trade.
- Written by: Jose de Venecia, Jr., Former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
We had pointed out before that the successful dynamics of North Korea’s nuclear development and delivery system could be channeled to economic mobilization. We added that the “long-suspended Six-Nation Talks could have a business-focused auxiliary to develop economic joint ventures for deployment in the Korean north.” We believe that the potential of the two Koreas in cooperating together or united in peace could eventually lead to a prosperous second- or first-world nation in the third decade of the 21st century.
- Written by: Jatinder Birdi, Chairperson, Warwick District Faiths Forum, United Kingdom
If religious and faith leaders are seen talking to one another, sitting with one another and sharing a meal with one another, then that will have a very positive effect on members of their congregation and also on other people who see this happening. Cooperation amongst religious leaders is very important and has to take place at an international, national and local level for there to be peace at all these levels.
- Written by: Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie, Chairman, Indonesian Community of Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI)
The mode of relations between religion and state as it is applied in Indonesia [is]based on the philosophy of Pancasila, which recognizes as its first principle the Oneness of God, that is, the universal God belongs to every religious group in the country. The relationship between the state and religion in Indonesia is more than just friendly; it is also brotherly, fraternal. In Indonesia, the government has as its duty and interest to help and to strengthen all religious groups.
- Written by: Yoshinobu Miyake, Shinto Priest and Scholar, Japan
I have attended more than 200 international conferences over the past 40 years and more than 1,000 interfaith meetings in Japan. However … it is hard to say that notable results have been obtained. The answer is easy. In short, it arises from a lack of knowledge of the religious leaders who attend meetings of this kind. Of course, I don’t mean to say that they lack insight into the faith to which they themselves belong; in that case their insight is extremely good, whether it be an archbishop, an imam or a guru. The lack of knowledge that I point out here refers to other religions to which you do not belong, or a religion that is denied by your religion.
- Written by: Hon. Shyam Jaju, National Vice President, Bharatiya Janata Party (Ruling Party of India)
The world transformation cycle is moving at very rapid pace. Social circumstances are also changing day by day. We usually call it development but in such a situation, man is trapped in a severe storm. Outwardly physical and economic progress is seen only when many resources and amenities are being amalgamated.
- Written by: Iqbal Alimohamed, Former UN Diplomat, UN High Commissioner on Refugees
I find inspiration in a quote from the Gospel of St. Luke: “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.” (Luke 17:21) The guidance here is that through meditation and prayer, you will understand the Creator’s purpose in life for you and you will be at peace with yourself. When there is peace within you, you will be at peace with others.
- Written by: Hon. Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana, Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
“The point I’m making here, and what I’ve also come to learn more about over the course of this conference, is the absolute necessity to address and combat extremist ideology from its very inception.”
- Written by: Hon. Godwin Friday, President, New Democratic Party; and Assemblyman, House of Assembly, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
The goal of creating a world that aspires to achieving peace across nations and religions is a noble aspiration worthy of our best efforts, individually and collectively. It is good that this conference has committed itself to that goal.
- Written by: Imam Muhammed Shafiqul Islam, Masjid-As-Salam, Jamaica
Everyone wants to live in peace. Every child should be born in peace. Peace is our birthright. But peace does not exist anymore.
- Written by: Dr. Thomas G. Walsh, Chairman, UPF International
The Latin America Summit 2018 is a great and golden opportunity.