Speeches
- Written by: Dr. Khattar Salami El Kantar, Vice President, Lebanese Canadian University, Lebanon
Humanity can bring about change by officials and religious leaders and parliamentarians uniting to expand the love culture through dialogue, education and cooperation. Religious leaders can make changes in their societies by developing an educational system that teaches love and forgiveness and by organizing conferences among diverse people.
- Written by: Rev. Joseph M. Kanuku, Bishop Emeritus, Anglican Church of Kenya
It is the work of religious leaders to enable, lead and encourage humanity to make sure that the spiritual part of a person is properly connected to the Almighty God, who is a God of love and peace.
- Written by: Haji Dede Edmond Brahimaj, leader of the Bektashi Order of Sufis
Mohammad, Christ, and David have kept entire generations of believers in light and hope, not lining them up on hostile crusades but arming them with love and deep devotion for the Creator.
- Written by: Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami, Shri Radha Raman Temple, Vrindavan, India
One of the main guiding principles for Hindus, uttered already in the Vedas, has been “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.” Hinduism’s pride is that it celebrates diversity, and this has often made it possible for dialogue to win out over conflict in Indian history.
- Written by: Rev. Johanna Rambaran, President, United Religions Initiative, the Netherlands
Religion must be a source of peace. Religion must be a messenger of peace. Religion must be an inspiration to harmony.
- Written by: Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr., Speaker of the House of Representatives, Philippines (1992-1998, 2001-2008); International Co-Chair of IAPP
We agree that for our peoples, the age of ideological conflict is over. All countries now need to move beyond containment and confrontation, and towards cooperation and collective prosperity. Indeed, there is no other option.
- Written by: Hon. Andy Daniel, President, Senate, St. Lucia
In effect, parliamentarians work to build safe, secure, stable and peaceful societies. I want us to remember that this is in essence the mandate of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, which embodies the spirit of and principles of our sacred core values, our covenant if you will.
- Written by: Hon. Dr. Jiko Luveni, Speaker of the House, Fiji
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is undeniable that the world is under threat from many quarters. Both our natural and social environments are being threatened in ways never imagined by our parents. With these critical challenges facing us, parliaments have a special responsibility to address these problems.
- Written by: Rev. Ari van Buuren, former chair of United Religions Initiative of the Netherlands Chapter: UPF-International
We are guests in each other’s lives. We are interdependent. Like Jacob, we can see the face of God in the face of the other.
- Written by: Dr. Fumiya Sakow, Chief Priest, Kojuin Temple, Japan
Truly, religious wisdom must take a lead in settling secular struggles within and among the nations.
- Written by: Hon. Shim Jae Kwon, chairperson of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee of the Korean National Assembly
There should never be another war on the Korean Peninsula. All nations must work together to find a peaceful way to denuclearize North Korea.
- Written by: Dr. King-yuh Chang, former minister, Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan, ROC (1996-1999)
Kinmen County, Taiwan—Speech given by Dr. King-yuh Chang, former minister of the Mainland Affairs Council of the Executive Yuan, ROC, at the Cross-Strait Peace Forum.