Global Peace Convention 2013 Interfaith TrackDecember 5-8, 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Pre­convention Program

Details at a GlanceDate: 5 December 2013Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PMVenue: Shangri­La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Draft Schedule and Topics9:00 AM Opening Plenary

Faith Leadership for the Greater Good: Forging “Unity in Diversity” Based onShared Values

Religion has been recognized as the root of identity­based conflict as well as the key toresolving such conflicts. This session addresses the premise that universal principles andshared values, as expressed in the world’s faith traditions, provide an affirmative basisupon which to build social cohesion in diverse societies, and expands on theunderstanding that spiritual leaders can and must lead the way in building ethical societiesand sustainable peace.

Moderator: Mr. James P. Flynn International President, Global Peace Foundation

Confirmed Panelists:

Professor Hashim Kamali Founding Chairman & CEO, International Institute ofAdvanced Islamic Studies (Malaysia)

Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam Third Archbishop,Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

Dr. N.P. Jain Former Ambassador of India to the UN, European Union, Nepal,Mexico and Belgium (India)

Rev John Joseph Hayab Special Advisor, Kaduna State Government onChristian and Pilgrim Matters (Nigeria)

Sheik Abdulahi Haliru Maraya, Special Advisor, Kaduna State Government onIslam and Hajj Matters (Nigeria)

10:45 AM Concurrent Discussions

Mitigating Religious Extremism: Models of Interfaith in Action

When radicals use religious language and symbols to legitimate acts of violence andoppression, they misrepresent the highest ideals and aspirations of the spiritual traditions.Conflict, war and violence in all its forms can and must ultimately be corrected at this

Global Peace Convention 2013 Interfaith TrackDecember 5-8, 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

ideological level. Expressions and practical applications of authentic faith, deeply heldvalues and common aspirations can and must be the basis from which to neutralizeideologies that use religion to propagate violence, oppression and terror.

This segment offers two concurrent sessions featuring initiatives and organizations thathave developed promising models and best practices in addressing the causes of violentextremism. Topics include:

1) Addressing the Roots of Extremism: This panel examines models of counteringviolent religious rhetoric, challenging misconceptions and distortions of religious teachings,and addressing humanitarian needs through service. Examples from Indonesia, Nigeria,Philippines and elsewhere will be discussed.

Facilitator: Dr. Syed Farid Alatas Professor of Sociology, National University ofSingapore

Confirmed Presenters: Dr. Ahmad Farouk Musa Chairman and Director, Islamic Renaissance Front

(Malaysia) Father Varghese Alengaden Founder and Director, Universal Solidarity

Movement (India) Ms. Ratna Osman Executive Director, Sisters in Islam (Malaysia)

2) Religion and Conflict Resolution: There is growing recognition that religious factorsare a critical part of the complex dynamics of political, social and economic problems.This panel examines the vital role that religion and spiritual leaders can play in resolvingconflicts and contributing to diplomatic dialogue and processes.

Facilitator: Mr. Prematilaka KD Serisena Secretary General, Malaysian ConsultativeCouncil of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST)(Malaysia)

Confirmed Presenters: Rev. Damodar Gautam Chair, Interreligious Council (Nepal) Mr. Semsettin Turkan Chairman, International Council of NGOs for Solidarity

(Turkey)

Global Peace Convention 2013 Interfaith TrackDecember 5-8, 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2:00 PM Session 2

Creating Unity in Diversity in Asia: Including Others in Our Sphere of MoralObligation

Malaysia is a democractic society with a multi­religious, multi­ethnic and multiculturalpopulation; Islam is the official religion. Malaysia is uniquely poised to host a forum focusedon Islam in Asia, peaceful coexistence and positive collaboration among diverse religions.This session discusses the ways in which authentic spirituality includes moral obligationtoward the "Other," and its influence on social cohesion and development in multiculturalsocieties.

Moderator: Mr. James Patton Executive Vice President, International Center forReligion and Diplomacy (USA) (Proposed)Confirmed Speakers

Mr. Ahmad Fuad Rahmat Managing Editor, Projek Dialog (Malaysia) Dr. M.M. Verma President, Interfaith Foundation (India) Dr. Omar Mohammed al Khateeb Executive Director, Islamic Affairs Sector for

the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai (United ArabEmirates)

Main Convention Program

Interfaith ProgramDetails at a GlanceDate: December 6­7, 2013Venue: Shangri­La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Faith and Diversity: Toward a Global Ethic for Inclusive and Moderate SocietiesConcurrent Session IDecember 6, 2:30PM

The establishment of a global ethic is necessary for the peaceful resolution of identity andinterest­based conflicts. As the vanguards of the world's wisdom traditions, religiousleaders are called to come into consensus around universal principles that recognize thespiritual and interconnected nature of all peoples. We (WHO is WE?>?) believe that anethic that acknowledges and upholds these truths is the key to transforming conflict andbuilding a culture of moderation and lasting peace. Here we explore the commonly­heldprinciples and values in the various faith traditions in search of this ideal.

Global Peace Convention 2013 Interfaith TrackDecember 5-8, 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Moderator: Dr. Ahmad Farouk Musa Chairman and Director, Islamic RenaissanceFront (Malaysia)

Confirmed Panelists: Most Rev. John Namanzah Niyiring Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kano

(Nigeria) Ambassador S. Azmat Hassan, Former Pakistani Ambassador to Malaysia,

Syria and Morrocco (Pakistan) Imam Shamsi Ali Chair of the Board of Trustees of the ASEAN Muslim

Federation of North America (Indonesia/USA) Dr. Marsudi Syuhud General Secretary, Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama

(Indonesia)

Living for the Greater Good: the moral foundation for inspiring innovative changeConcurrent Session IIDecember 6, 4:30PM

Ongoing global economic scandals, endemic corruption, human exploitation andenvironmental degradation seem to indicate that technological and economicdevelopments have outpaced the spiritual and moral consciousness of the times.Development must driven by a moral vision and a commitment to ethical principles andreligious and spiritual leaders can and should be involved in applying their gifts in serviceof the greater good. This session discusses the application of "principles in the publicsphere" and ways to drive moral innovation for a sustainable future.

Confirmed Panelists: Ms. Camilla Schippa Director, Institute for Economics and Peace (Australia) Dr. Tawfique Chowdhury Founder and President, Mercy Mission World

(Australia­Malaysia) Dr. Chandra Setiawan Commissioner, Commission for the Supervision of

Business Competition (Indonesia) Mr. James Patton Executive Vice President, International Center for Religion

and Diplomacy (USA)

Case Studies in Applying Universal Principles and Shared Values as a Frameworkto Address the Roots of ConflictWorkshop/Hands on Training/Working Groups II

Global Peace Convention 2013 Interfaith TrackDecember 5-8, 2013 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

December 7, 2:00PM

In the aftermath of crises and conflicts, some societies attempt to resolve the root of theconflicts through the pursuit of a vision based on universal spiritual truths and sharedvalues. Such efforts exist in different forms: national mottoes, defining documents, sharingof narratives. In this workshop, we examine the universal principles and shared values thatserve as a framework for the ideas found in the Rukun Negara in Malaysia, the Philippinesnational motto and personal narratives from Nigeria. The session will also cover methodsto engage the vision of One Family Under God in national and global conversations.

Moderator: Mr. Anas Zubedy Secretary­General, International Movement for a JustWorld (JUST) (Malaysia)Invited Panelists:

Dr. Estrella Babano Former Regional Director, Department of Education(Philippines)

Malik Imtiaz Sarwar Immediate Past President, Malaysian National HumanRights Society (HAKAM) (Malaysia)

Pastor James Wuye Co­director, Muslim­Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre(Nigeria)

Imam Muhammad Ashafa Co­director, Muslim­Christian Interfaith MediationCentre (Nigeria)