11

The Need for an The Need for an Interreligious Interreligious

Council Council at the United at the United

NationsNations

Universal Peace FederationUniversal Peace Federationwww.upf.orgwww.upf.org

22

The Significance of ReligionThe Significance of Religion

Religion is an essential part of Religion is an essential part of

human consciousness and human human consciousness and human

identity.identity.

Religious ideas form the basis for Religious ideas form the basis for

human worldviews and worldly human worldviews and worldly

action.action.

33

The Significance of ReligionThe Significance of Religion

Religion guides us to understand Religion guides us to understand

about:about: our ultimate originsour ultimate origins our condition in the worldour condition in the world our ultimate purpose and destinyour ultimate purpose and destiny

Religion shapes civilizations, cultures Religion shapes civilizations, cultures

and social, political, and economic and social, political, and economic

systems.systems.

44

Positive Impact of ReligionPositive Impact of Religion

Religion inspires and guides individuals and Religion inspires and guides individuals and

movements in truthful, constructive, movements in truthful, constructive,

beneficial, and morally upright ways, giving beneficial, and morally upright ways, giving

meaning, purpose, hope.meaning, purpose, hope. Religion inspires compassion, giving, Religion inspires compassion, giving,

service, humanitarian action, sacrifice for service, humanitarian action, sacrifice for

others.others. Good, enlightened religious leadership is Good, enlightened religious leadership is

essential to achieving world peace.essential to achieving world peace.

55

Negative Impact of ReligionNegative Impact of Religion

Religion can, and often does influence Religion can, and often does influence

and guide individuals and movements in and guide individuals and movements in

untruthful, destructive, harmful and untruthful, destructive, harmful and

morally problematic waysmorally problematic ways Poor religious leadership gives rise to Poor religious leadership gives rise to

manifold problems and contributes to manifold problems and contributes to

both division and great suffering in our both division and great suffering in our

world. world.

66

Overcoming Interreligious Overcoming Interreligious ConflictConflict

Religion has too often been a source of Religion has too often been a source of

division, and many conflicts around the division, and many conflicts around the

world: Middle East, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, world: Middle East, Kashmir, Sri Lanka,

Philippines, Indonesia, Balkans, Caucasus, Philippines, Indonesia, Balkans, Caucasus,

Thailand/Cambodia, Nigeria, etc.Thailand/Cambodia, Nigeria, etc. This pattern should be reversed, through This pattern should be reversed, through

dialogue, good leadership, and cooperation.dialogue, good leadership, and cooperation. Religions should provide peace leadership.Religions should provide peace leadership.

77

Preamble to the UN Charter

We the peoples of the United Nations determined, to save to save succeeding generations from the succeeding generations from the scourge of warscourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind.…

88

Preamble to the UN Charter

… and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

AND FOR THESE ENDS to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples….

99

The Ongoing Scourge of War

Despite tremendous efforts to save to save succeeding generations from the succeeding generations from the scourge of warscourge of war, history recalls

The Korean War (1950-53)The Vietnam War (1959-75)The Balkan Conflicts (1991-96)The Middle EastRwandaDarfurSri LankaThe Caucasus

1010

The Case for an The Case for an Interreligious CouncilInterreligious Council

The vast majority of “we the peoples” are The vast majority of “we the peoples” are

persons who identify strongly with a persons who identify strongly with a

religious worldview. religious worldview. Non-state actors are increasingly relevant Non-state actors are increasingly relevant

and important: civil society, faith-based and important: civil society, faith-based

organizations, religious movements.organizations, religious movements. Religion can be an ally for peace, and an Religion can be an ally for peace, and an

ally for socio-economic development and ally for socio-economic development and

conflict resolution.conflict resolution.

1111

Value of Religious Value of Religious TeachingTeaching

All religions teach compassion toward All religions teach compassion toward

those in need and love for one another.those in need and love for one another.

Religions have the potential to foster Religions have the potential to foster

forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration, forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration,

and peace, bringing an end to cycles of and peace, bringing an end to cycles of

resentment and violence.resentment and violence.

1212

Mahatma Mahatma GandhiGandhi

Dr. Martin Dr. Martin Luther King, Luther King,

Jr. Jr.

MotherMother Teresa Teresa

1313

Interreligious VoicesInterreligious VoicesContribute to PeaceContribute to Peace

1414

Call for UN RenewalCall for UN Renewal

World peace can be fully World peace can be fully accomplished only when the accomplished only when the wisdom and efforts of the wisdom and efforts of the world's religious leaders work world's religious leaders work cooperatively and respectfully cooperatively and respectfully with national leaders.with national leaders.

Serious consideration should be Serious consideration should be given to forming a religious given to forming a religious assembly or council of religious assembly or council of religious representatives within the representatives within the structure of the UN.structure of the UN.

Rev. Sun Myung MoonRev. Sun Myung Moon

Address at UN Address at UN HeadquartersHeadquarters

August 18, 2000August 18, 2000

1515

UN General Assembly UN General Assembly ResolutionsResolutions

““Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue” Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue” (A/RES/59/23, November 2004)(A/RES/59/23, November 2004)

““Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue and Promotion of Interreligious Dialogue and

Cooperation for Peace” Cooperation for Peace” (A/RES/60/10, Oct. 2005)(A/RES/60/10, Oct. 2005)

““Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural

Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation

for Peace” for Peace” (A/RES/60/L.11/Rev.2, December 2006)(A/RES/60/L.11/Rev.2, December 2006)

1616

Sponsoring NationsSponsoring Nations

Spearheaded by the Philippines. Sponsored bySpearheaded by the Philippines. Sponsored by

AzerbaijanAzerbaijanBangladeshBangladeshBelarusBelarusBelizeBelizeBeninBeninBurkina Burkina FasoFasoCambodiaCambodiaCameroonCameroonComorosComorosCongoCongoCosta RicaCosta RicaDjibouti Djibouti

DominicanDominican RepublicRepublicEgypt Egypt El Salvador El Salvador Gabon Gabon Gambia Gambia Guatemala Guatemala Guinea Guinea Haiti Haiti Honduras Honduras Indonesia Indonesia Iran Iran KazakhstanKazakhstanKuwait Kuwait

Philippines Philippines Qatar Qatar Russian Russian Federation Federation Saint VincentSaint Vincent and the and the Grenadines Grenadines Senegal Senegal Sudan Sudan Suriname Suriname Tajikistan Tajikistan Thailand Thailand Timor-Leste Timor-Leste UzbekistanUzbekistan

Madagascar Madagascar Malaysia Malaysia Marshall Marshall Islands Islands Micronesia Micronesia Mongolia Mongolia Morocco Morocco Myanmar Myanmar Nicaragua Nicaragua OmanOmanPakistanPakistanPanamaPanamaPapua NewPapua New GuineaGuinea

1717

Focal Unit to Aid DialogueFocal Unit to Aid Dialogue

……insures the systematic and insures the systematic and organizational follow-up of this organizational follow-up of this dialogue through the designation dialogue through the designation of a focal unit in the Secretariat to of a focal unit in the Secretariat to handle these matters.handle these matters.

December 2006 GA ResolutionDecember 2006 GA Resolution

RESULT: Focal unit was established in 2007.RESULT: Focal unit was established in 2007.

1818

Call for High-Level DialogueCall for High-Level Dialogue

Call for a Call for a “high-level dialogue on interreligious “high-level dialogue on interreligious

and intercultural cooperation for the promotion and intercultural cooperation for the promotion

of tolerance, understanding and universal of tolerance, understanding and universal

respect….”respect….”

RESULT: High-level Dialogue on Interreligious

and Intercultural Understanding and

Cooperation for Peace was held October 4-5,

2007.

1919

Address to High-Level Address to High-Level DialogueDialogue

It is time to promote the idea that diversity is a virtue, not a threat. It is time to explain that different religions, belief systems and cultural backgrounds are essential to the richness of the human experience. And it is time to stress that our common humanity is greater-–far greater-–than our outward differences.

Ban Ki-Ban Ki-moonmoon

UN Secretary-GeneralUN Secretary-General

2020

General AssemblyGeneral Assembly and Interreligious Dialogue and Interreligious Dialogue

As a follow-up on an interfaith conference held in Madrid in July 2008, organized by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and King Juan Carlos of Spain, the General Assembly convened a high-level dialogue on November 12-13, 2008 with major world leaders in attendance.

2121

A UN Interreligious Council:A UN Interreligious Council:MissionMission

As an organ of the UN, an interreligious As an organ of the UN, an interreligious council could contribute to the UN’s council could contribute to the UN’s broad mission, as described in its broad mission, as described in its Charter, bringing the unique wisdom, Charter, bringing the unique wisdom, insight, and capacities of religion in insight, and capacities of religion in support of the UN’s efforts to achieve support of the UN’s efforts to achieve peace and human development.peace and human development.

2222

A UN Interreligious Council: A UN Interreligious Council: FunctionsFunctions

Convene, dialogue, and confer together on Convene, dialogue, and confer together on the critical challenges facing humanitythe critical challenges facing humanity

Advise, guide, and pass resolutions by Advise, guide, and pass resolutions by consensus on issues relevant to peace and consensus on issues relevant to peace and human developmenthuman development

Encourage grass-roots service, Encourage grass-roots service, volunteerism, and activismvolunteerism, and activism

Guide nations and people to act in Guide nations and people to act in accordance with universal spiritual and accordance with universal spiritual and moral principles moral principles

2323

A UN Interreligious Council:A UN Interreligious Council:MembershipMembership

Possibly 40 councilors representing major Possibly 40 councilors representing major and, on a rotating basis, smaller religions, and, on a rotating basis, smaller religions, as well as spiritual “eminent persons” as well as spiritual “eminent persons”

Possibly three-year termsPossibly three-year terms

2424

The world must teach its children the wisdom of all cultures.

Dr. Musa Bin Jaafar Bin Hassan (L)

President, UNESCO General Conference

UNESCOUNESCO

2525

Address to High-Level Address to High-Level DialogueDialogue

In today’s era of global travel and instant satellite transmissions, people everywhere are encountering less of the familiar, and more of ‘the other.’ This reality has fed rising intercultural and inter-religious tensions, as well as growing alienation among vast segments of the world population.

Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon

UN Secretary-GeneralUN Secretary-General

2626

Address to High-Level Address to High-Level DialogueDialogue

Today’s gathering also comes at a particularly auspicious time, as Jews mark the celebration of the Torah and Muslims approach the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Such occasions remind us that men and women of faith around the world can be brought together, rather than separated, by their convictions and their belief in something greater than themselves.

Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moonUN Secretary-GeneralUN Secretary-General

2727

CompassionCompassion

All men are responsible for one another.All men are responsible for one another.

Talmud, Sanhedrin 27b (Judaism)Talmud, Sanhedrin 27b (Judaism) Give and it will be given to you. Give and it will be given to you.

Luke 6.38 (Christianity)Luke 6.38 (Christianity) All [human] creatures are God’s children, and All [human] creatures are God’s children, and

those dearest to God are those who treat His those dearest to God are those who treat His

children kindly. children kindly.

Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam)Hadith of Baihaqi (Islam) The Great Compassionate Heart is the essence of The Great Compassionate Heart is the essence of

Buddhahood. Buddhahood. Gandavyuha Sutra Gandavyuha Sutra

(Buddhism)(Buddhism)

2828

Love for the EnemyLove for the Enemy

Love your enemies and pray for those who Love your enemies and pray for those who

persecute you, so that you may be sons of persecute you, so that you may be sons of

your Father who is in heaven. your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5.43-48 (Christianity)Matthew 5.43-48 (Christianity)

The good deed and the evil are not alike. Repel The good deed and the evil are not alike. Repel

the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! the evil deed with one which is better, then lo!

He with whom you had enmity shall become a He with whom you had enmity shall become a

bosom friend. bosom friend. Qur’an 41.34 (Islam)Qur’an 41.34 (Islam)

2929

Love for the EnemyLove for the Enemy

Aid an enemy before you aid a friend, to Aid an enemy before you aid a friend, to

subdue hatred.subdue hatred.

Tosefta, Baba Metzia 2.26 (Judaism)Tosefta, Baba Metzia 2.26 (Judaism) Hatreds never cease through hatred in Hatreds never cease through hatred in

this world; through love alone they cease. this world; through love alone they cease. Dhammapada 3-5 (Buddhism)Dhammapada 3-5 (Buddhism)

Do good to him who has done you an Do good to him who has done you an

injury. injury. Tao Te Ching 63 (Taoism)Tao Te Ching 63 (Taoism)

3030

What is UPF?What is UPF?

A broad, civil society movementA broad, civil society movement Made up of individuals and Made up of individuals and

organizationsorganizations Guided by universal principlesGuided by universal principles Working together to solve critical global Working together to solve critical global

problems and build a world of lasting problems and build a world of lasting

peacepeace Promoting one family under GodPromoting one family under God

3131

UPF’s Guiding PrinciplesUPF’s Guiding Principles

All human beings share a common origin, God, the All human beings share a common origin, God, the

source of the value of human beings and nature.source of the value of human beings and nature. Unselfishness service, living for the sake of others, Unselfishness service, living for the sake of others,

is an essential pre-requisite of peace.is an essential pre-requisite of peace. The reconciliation that is necessary to achieve The reconciliation that is necessary to achieve

peace requires that we learn to love our enemies.peace requires that we learn to love our enemies. The family is the primary school of love and ethics.The family is the primary school of love and ethics. Interfaith cooperation is necessary for lasting peace.Interfaith cooperation is necessary for lasting peace.

3232

Call for UN RenewalCall for UN Renewal

We must supplement formal We must supplement formal institutions with informal policy institutions with informal policy networks, bringing together networks, bringing together international institutions, civil society international institutions, civil society and private-sector organizations, and and private-sector organizations, and national governments, in pursuit of national governments, in pursuit of common goals.common goals.

Kofi AnnanKofi Annan

former UN Secretary-Generalformer UN Secretary-General

““We the Peoples,” April 3, 2000 We the Peoples,” April 3, 2000

3333

Call for UN RenewalCall for UN Renewal

The time has come for the United The time has come for the United Nations to outline its working Nations to outline its working relationship with civil society relationship with civil society organizations.organizations.

H.E. Anwarul K. ChowdhuryH.E. Anwarul K. Chowdhury

former UN Under-Secretary-Generalformer UN Under-Secretary-General

3434

Religion Contributes to Religion Contributes to PeacePeace

The negotiations between Menachem Begin, Anwar el-Sadat, and myself at Camp David in 1978 were greatly influenced by our religious backgrounds. This was evident in the fact that a joint appeal for prayer preceded our discussions… Begin and Sadat were deeply religious men.

Jimmy Jimmy Carter Carter

Former President, United StatesFormer President, United States

3535

An Idea Whose Time Has An Idea Whose Time Has ComeCome

We believe the creation of an We believe the creation of an interreligious council or a specific unit interreligious council or a specific unit on interfaith understanding within the on interfaith understanding within the UN system is an idea whose time has UN system is an idea whose time has come.come.

Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr. Hon. Jose de Venecia, Jr. Former Speaker, House of RepresentativesFormer Speaker, House of Representatives

PhilippinesPhilippines