Religions for Peace (RfP) International joins people around the world in grieving the passing of His Excellency Kofi Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations. He was a remarkable servant of peace. In addition, he was a long-term partner of Religions for Peace.
In the words of Religions for Peace Honorary President Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, “As we mourn the loss of one of the greatest leaders on the international stage, we remember with deep gratitude his understanding of the role of religion for peace-building. In our recent work in Myanmar, we have supported and found Kofi Annan’s Report to be a constructive and comprehensive road-map towards peace. It is encouraging that State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi is committed to the implementation of these recommendations.”
Our partnership with H.E. Kofi Annan stretched back to Religions for Peace’s conflict resolution efforts in the midst of the civil war in Sierra Leone in the late 1990s. H.E. Kofi Annan reported in 1999 to the UN Security Council his enthusiastic support of RfP-Sierra Leone’s help to end the bloody conflict, writing: “The peace talks have started off well, with the two parties expressing their firm commitment to the peace process and determination to work together to resolve the conflict….Religions for Peace Sierra Leone... played a particularly active role. President Kabbah has proposed that the Council (RfP Sierra Leone) whose role has been appreciated by both sides, should become one of the moral guarantors of the peace agreement.
In addition, the Religions for Peace International Secretariat and a number of Religions for Peace Co-Presidents were privileged to have an ongoing constructive relationship with H.E. Kofi Annan, that often included his helpful and encouraging informal assistance.
Religions for Peace recalls with gratitude and admiration H.E. Kofi Annan and his tireless and principled dedication to peace. He was a servant of peace.
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Dr. William F. Vendley |
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RELIGIONS FOR PEACE–the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition-advances common action among the world’s religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than 90 national ones; and the Global Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.
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www.rfp.org
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