Inaugural
Assembly: Founding the IIPC
|
The
Interreligious and International Peace Council (IIPC),"
said H.E. Debbie H. Remengesau, First Lady of the Republic of Palau,
"can improve existing methods and practices for addressing
critical global problems by being the leader in the moral or
spiritual conscience in leadership governance." She further
explained that the eternal values derived from religious teachings
not only |
establish
a strong moral value system for
this life, but also prepare people for the eternal life in the
spiritual world.
The IIPC was founded on October 3rd
2003 in New York City where 304 delegates, including 52 guests from the United Nations-all together representing 149 nations-attended the 4-day Inaugural Assembly with the theme, "Global Governance for a New Realm of Peace." The Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP), founded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon, sponsored the event.
This was seen as the pinnacle of the Founder's lifelong work and undying quest for world peace. Notwithstanding his more than half century of public life, the more immediate underpinning for launching the Peace Council was laid during this past summer. IIFWP held both broad-based and grassroots programs. One-day seminars in 158 nations around the world were held during a two month period while the Federation simultaneously carried out international conferences in three strategic areas of global concern: Jerusalem, Israel; Washington DC, USA, and Seoul, Korea. In essence, both the grassroots as well as the international nature of IIFWP could be observed. But even more important, and more than just a show of strength, this demonstrated the serious investment, financial sacrifice, and unshakable commitment this organization and its Founder has to creating world peace.
At the end of this Assembly, the Hon. Sam H. Zakhem, the Former U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain concluded, "Rev. Moon has built a strong following throughout the world. He now has a great reservoir of good will that could help bring about harmony between people and friendships among nations." But, Ambassador Zakhem cautioned, "We should be planning for the next stage, namely the implementation stage. We need to reach out to our respective governments to espouse the principles of IIPC."
|
|
His advice was heeded. Within two weeks after the its inauguration, a selected number of delegates reconvened in New York City for an
IIPC Consultation, a planning session lasting three days.
They will be reviewing, among other things, the "Inaugural
Declaration" drafted and signed by delegates of the IIPC inauguration. The heart and spirit of the proclamation was not to point |
fingers orlay
blame, although it did begin by calling for serious self-reflection. The purpose was to learn from
shortcomings, identify areas that can be improved, and refocus on the vital task of establishing models of good
governance. The declaration began:
“Whereas,
we are going through a most critical time in history that requires
each of us to re-examine both ourselves and our institutions of
global governance, including the United Nations, and to search for
ways and means to go beyond past achievements in a renewed effort to
prevent the suffering and despair caused by inhumane violence and to
alleviate poverty that affects the lives of hundreds of millions of
our fellow human beings around the world…”
It
also called "upon governments, as well as intergovernmental
and non-governmental organizations to expand their capacity to
resolve conflict, by integrating interreligious and intercultural
dimensions in their projects and programs."
The
fact that the United Nations was specifically named in the
resolution was understandable. Just 12 days before the conference
began, on September 19th, the New York Times ran a front page
article titled "U.N. Senses It Must Change, Fast."
In it, Secretary General Kofi Annan was quoted calling for "radical"
revisions in the U.N. in order for this international body to
survive.
The
Chairman of the IIFWP, Rev. Dr. Chung Hwan Kwak, in his Keynote
Address highlighted the role religion plays in social change and
development, explaining why it must be a partner in the governing
process:
“Ultimately,
it is not technological transformation alone that will lead us to
peace. Spiritual development is also necessary. In this respect, the
role of religion is critical, for human beings are shaped by
religion in profound and important ways. Moreover, throughout
history religion has frequently been a primary agent of significant
moral and social transformation. Thus, we should not ignore the core
principles taught by all religions.”
Roundtable
discussions were held in the afternoon on October 2nd. Among the
topics delegates could attend were:
-
Human Development
-
The Quartet, the Road Map and Peace in the Middle East
- Civil
Society and the Creation of an Ethical and Caring Global Community
-
Continental and Regional Alliances in a Global Age
- The
Major Powers and the Korean Peninsula
-
America: Challenges Facing the World's Sole Superpower
-
Addressing Critical Issues Facing Africa |
|
During
the morning session on October 3rd, the Founder of IIFWP addressed
the delegates and day-guests totaling 1,200 people. The Founder's
Address, which Rev. Moon called his "gift" to
the Assembly, dealt with the topic, The New Elimination of
Boundaries and World Peace. He said that people have to overcome
self-imposed barriers of race, religion and culture and that there
are three things each person has to know for certainty: the
existence |
of
God, the existence
of the spiritual world, and the practice of "true love for the
sake of others." This level of oneness of heart creates the
unbreakable "link in the lineage between parent and child."
Once you reach this level of maturity and spirituality, you are
ultimately qualified to refer to God as your "Father," not
by faith alone but now aided with unquestionable, experiential
convictions as well.
Following
the Inaugural Session and lunch, participants attended the "Peace
Under One God" rally. This was held at the Dag Hammarskjold
Plaza, just opposite the United Nations. But it was not a protest!
It was a rally of support for the august world body. On a cool
autumn day, with a jumbotron behind the stage and 10,000 men, women
and children gathered to support new and innovative approaches to
global governance, the program outlined four steps to world peace:
1.
Living for the sake of others
2. Building families of true love
3. Interreligious reconciliation and cooperation, and
4. The proper role and function of the United Nations
Media
coverage, electronic and print, drew more than 20 newsmen and women
from nine nations. United Press International quoted H.E.
Abdurrahman Wahid, former president of Indonesia as saying, "The
idea of establishing the IIPC is an excellent idea."
Robert S.
Kittel, New York, October 3, 2003
|
|