On 4th AUGUST, 2022, about 2,000 people, including 24 delegates from 18 countries of Buddhism, Shintoism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Zoroastrianism came together in Japan at an inter-faith “Interreligious Gathering of Prayer for World Peace”. The event marked the 35th anniversary of the first ‘Religious Summit’ held on Mount Hiei in 1987. Moderator of Religions for Peace Asia, Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill OAM delivered a talk on Megacities and Climate Change – The Role of Religious Leaders.
Asia and Religions for Peace
Diwali in India
Indians have celebrated Diwali as bright earthen oil lamps and dazzling, colourful lights lit up homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival.
Diwali — a national holiday across India — symbolises the victory of light over darkness. Festivities include a Guinness World Record lighting of 1.5 million oil lamps on the banks of Saryu River
The festival is typically celebrated by socialising and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Many light earthen oil lamps or candles, and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations.
Letter of Support for Women and Religious Groups suffering Persecution in Iran
In recent days Iran has seen deep public unrest, with demonstrations and protests taking place in some 80 cities, triggered by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who was detained by authorities in Tehran on 13 September and died, while in custody, three days later. Religions for Peace Australia and its affiliates voice their concerns about the deterioration of the rights of women – and religious groups – in Iran.
Tackling Human-Trafficking in Asia: Challenges and Best Practices
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network has been attending the issue of human trafficking as one of its program objectives. Human trafficking is at its highest in Asia and Oceania regions. An online seminar examining this issue will be held on Thursday, September 29th, 2022. There will be plenary and breakout sessions.
Tokyo Peace Roundtable, the first of a series
Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan are pleased to share an invitation to join The Tokyo Peace Roundtable, the first in a series Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Convening Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables, bringing together faith leaders, policy makers, and representatives of civil society as part of an effort to expedite the cessation of violence, facilitate reconciliation, and restore peace in war-affected countries.
Disaster Resilience in a Warming Climate
Friends (Quakers) in the Asia West Pacific will deliver one workshop on Disaster Resilience in a Warming Climate and will be with Paula Paanamen who has worked internationally and with communities after the Burnt Summer of bushfires 2019-20 in Australia, and more recently during the unprecedented Australian floods. What skills and approaches are need for Friends to help build and be part of community resilience?
Christian Conference of Asia trains Asian youth leaders as Young Ambassadors of Peace
A week long training programme, Young Ambassadors of Peace in Asia, organised by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), was held from 7-14 August at in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The focus was “Youth as Catalysts for Peace with Justice in Asia.”Christian Conference of Asia trains Asian youth leaders as Young Ambassadors of Peace
Online Global Prayer for Myanmar
In the light of the recent executions of four activists by the Myanmar military government – and the recent jailing of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to six years in prison on Monday after finding her guilty in four corruption cases – Pax Christi Australia will conduct an online Global Prayer for Myanmar on Sunday 21st August at 5.30 pm (AEST).
Environmental Conservation for Peace
Religions for Peace (RfP) Indonesia, in collaboration with Gita Santih Nusantara (GSN), will hold three series of webinars (August, October, December), with the theme : “Environmental Conservation for Peace”. Sub-theme : “Actualization of Religious Life in Developing a Caring Culture Environment in Society for Peace.” The first iteration will take place on Saturday, 13 June, 2022.
We Cannot Ignore Buddhist Extremism
Asserting the neutrality of Buddhism will not make alt-right and extremist Buddhist worldviews go away. What is needed instead is for there to be dialogue amongst Buddhist communities to acknowledge the values they wish to uphold—and, importantly, to clarify the values that go against the Buddha’s teachings.
From Hiroshima, UN chief calls for global nuclear disarmament
It is totally unacceptable for states in possession of nuclear weapons to admit the possibility of a nuclear war, António Guterres underscored early on Saturday in Japan at a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
“Nuclear weapons are nonsense. Three-quarters of a century later, we must ask what we’ve learned from the mushroom cloud that swelled above this city in 1945”, he urged during the solemn event at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park attended by dozens of people, including hibakusha, young peace activists, Japan’s Prime Minister and other local authorities.
The UN Secretary-General warned that a new arms race is picking up speed and world leaders are enhancing stockpiles at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars with almost 13,000 nuclear weapons currently held in arsenals around the world.
Tackling Human-Trafficking in Asia: Challenges and Best Practices
The Asia Pacific Women of Faith Network has been attending the issue of human trafficking as one of its program objectives. Human trafficking is at its highest in Asia and Oceania regions. An online seminar examining this issue will be held on Thursday, September 29th, 2022. There will be plenary and breakout sessions.