Conference Report

NOW

WE MUST
CHANGE
Released December 7, 2006 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights strives to achieve the universal recognition, implementation and protection of human rights through teaching and education of all people, in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each endeavour brings people together and encourages dialogue and progress towards the attainment of these fundamental goals. The creation of the Centre is based on the belief that the struggle for human rights is never conclusively won and that we must continually work to reinforce these rights. This is essential to the creation and advancement of an everlasting culture of peace in the world.

Board of Directors Professor Gerald Gall, O.C., President Joan Cowling, Vice President Charles De Pape, C.A., Treasurer Judge Gurcharan Singh Bhatia, C.M., Past President David King Dr. W. Andy Knight Dr. Seonaigh MacPherson Patricia McGoey Judge Arthur Miki Randy Palivoda Indira Puri Dr. Raffath Sayeed Honourable Claudette Tardif Christine G. Rapp, Q.C. (Honourary Counsel)

Patrons of the Centre Mr. John Hume, M.P., M.E.P., Nobel Laureate Dr. Margaret Kunstler-Humphrey, M.D., F.R.C.P. (deceased) The Right Honourable Antonio Lamer P.C., Former Chief Justice of Canada The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus, Nobel Laureate

Web: www.johnhumphreycentre.org Email: info@johnhumphreycentre.org Phone: 780-453-2638

NOW

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Contents

Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Identifying Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Recommending Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Inspiring Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
1. 2. 3. 4. Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights Conference Executive . . 17 Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights Speakers List . . . . . . . . 18 Building World Peace: Some Assembly Required Speakers List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Building World Peace Sponsors and Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Conference Executive Honourable Dougas Roche, O.C., Co-Chairperson Honourable Claudette Tardif, Co-Chairperson Gurcharan Singh Bhatia, C.M. Joan Cowling Gerald Gall, O.C. Randy Palivoda Conference Manager Louise De Pape This report was compiled and written by Ginny Freeman MacOwan, Kitchener, Ontario and Bob Chodos, New Hamburg, Ontario. Layout and design by Frost Bytes www.frostbytes.ca.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada October 20-22, 2006

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Executive Summary
Respectful dialogue among an alliance of civilizations is a prerequisite to the healing qualities of reconciliation and forgiveness, said co-chair Senator Douglas Roche in his address to the Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights conference held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada from October 20 to 22, 2006. Such dialogue should take place not only internationally but also locally, Roche continued. It must occur within religions, among religions and between religious and secular society. Furthermore, the conference concluded, religions must affirm that violence can never be justified in the name of God. They must condemn all forms of terrorism and extremism and all attempts to use religion to justify these actions. Religions of the world should provide a powerful example in their common rejection of violence, support for the abolition of all nuclear weapons the ultimate evil, in the words of peace activist Jonathan Granoff and defence of universal values of respect for life and the dignity and human rights of all individuals as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This responsibility is shared by all individuals in society. Now we must change, said keynote speaker Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, noting that the change needs to be within each human being. Now more than ever, the world must unite across boundaries to instill non-violence as a way of life. Some 400 delegates had gathered at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton to grapple with the problem of violence in the name of religion and to suggest steps for building world peace. Organized by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, the conference featured 35 speakers from around the world. Concurrently, a group of 300 junior and senior high school students gathered for a one-day youth event exploring the same themes. Telling remarkably poignant, sometimes chilling and often inspiring personal stories, presenters made reference to current and recent conflicts in many parts of the world and touched on problems in diverse areas. While there was no pretense of facile solutions, the presenters did make recommendations that can be implemented by a variety of actors all contributing in some way towards the ultimate goal of peace: 1. 2. 3. That moderates become the public faces of each religious tradition; That sacred texts be approached respectfully, but critically and cautiously; That religious leaders, in their roles as spiritual advisors and as the voices of their communities, teach and promote peace; That faith communities press for an Advisory Council on Religion;
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4.

5.

That faith communities come together to form and fund a multifaith organization in Canada; That, in times of national celebration or tragedy, religions be visible in every ceremony and invited to speak the best of their healing traditions; That faith communities press governments to pass legislation to implement UN covenants; That the Canadian government work towards reconciliation with the Canada's First Nations people; That Canada play an active role in systematically challenging and eliminating the world's democratic deficits;

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10. That Canada and other countries which accept large numbers of immigrants explicitly address issues of racism and subtle discrimination; 11. That women be encouraged to assume stronger roles of political leadership;

12. That governments and international organizations encourage internal solutions as the central component of peace processes; 13. That governments ratify the treaty banning nuclear testing and strongly encourage other governments to do so;

14. That governments support the movement for an Alliance of Civilizations; 15. That individuals be encouraged and supported in the process of internalizing peace;

16. That individuals become actively involved in directing public discourse; and 17. That individuals take personal action to make peace a reality.

Ultimately, the promotion of peace requires religions to engage in dialogue, which involves respecting truth and sharing common values. Respectful dialogue among civilizations is the only weapon capable of creating a climate of peace, security and trust among peoples and nations.

NOW

Introduction
Every child is born with the right to peace. The birth of a child is a cry for peace. - James Loney
From October 20 to 22, 2006, some 400 delegates gathered at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to grapple with the problem of violence in the name of religion and to suggest steps for building world peace. Organized by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, the conference featured 35 speakers from around the world. Concurrently, a group of 300 junior and senior high school students gathered for a one-day youth event exploring the same themes. The speakers and delegates were a group of seemingly disconnected individuals. They were citizens of diverse cultures Canadian, American, Austrian, First Nations, Indian, Jamaican, Kenyan, Nepalese, Pakistani, Sierra Leonean, South African, Spanish, Tibetan, Ugandan, among others. They were adherents of varied religious and spiritual traditions Aboriginal, Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Pagan, Sikh, Taoist, to name a few. They were from all stations and walks of life academics, activists, aid workers, business professionals, educators, politicians, sociologists, students, theologians and more. At this critical juncture of human history, when differences threaten not simply to divide but actually to destroy all life on earth, this disparate group found a common ground: a commitment to peace. Peace, of course, is not easily achieved. Peace takes time, commitment, sacrifice, compromise, vision and selflessness. Peace requires individuals, governments, corporations and religions to humbly and wholeheartedly embrace a new worldview one in which differences are celebrated, all life is held sacred, human rights are universally upheld, violence is eliminated, the earth is protected, and the needs of the whole usurp the wants of the individual. But, as former Iraq hostage James Loney so passionately proclaimed in his keynote address on the opening night of the conference, Peace is the most important achievement we can strive for. Despite many challenges, the diverse group gathered in Edmonton made remarkable achievements. They engaged in respectful dialogue, authentically listening to one another and opening themselves to the possibilities of being convinced. They spoke from the whole of their faith traditions, acknowledging both the ways in which religions have been the cause of violence and the imperative at the heart of each tradition to live in peace with all of creation. They rejected those who exploit, abuse and misuse religious traditions as justification for hate, oppression and terrorism. They honoured, with attentive presence, those among them who have committed themselves and their work to the building of a peaceful global society. They joined together, with the plurality of their personal experiences, to draw upon the collective wisdoms of the world's religious and cultural traditions, to proclaim to the world a vision of peace in celebration not in spite of their many differences. In short, they combined their minds, hearts and spirits in the work of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace-building.

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Not surprisingly, consensus was not always achieved. While some speakers and delegates, for example, prioritized the issue of cultural rights as essential to the work of peace-building, others identified some cultural rights as either causes of violence or barriers to peace. Nonetheless, the conference was overwhelmingly productive. In explicitly addressing the challenges articulated by the conference co-chairs, Senators Douglas Roche and Claudette Tardif, to heal a suffering humanity and to negate fear of the other, all of those assembled were able to identify myriad problems, to pose strong recommendations through which individuals, religious traditions, multifaith collectives and society as a whole can work towards building world peace and to inspire future generations to make a commitment to peace.

NOW

Outcomes
Although the conference was explicitly concerned with the role of religion and human rights in the work of building peace, most of the discussion had a much broader focus. Indeed, it became readily apparent that the motives and actions of individuals, the policies implemented by governments, the dominant discourse in media and, in the end, the priority assigned to human rights around the globe are all largely influenced by and interrelated with the roles of religious beliefs, institutions and leaders in the development of our various social structures and, ultimately, in our hope for world peace. Hence the conference touched on problems in diverse areas, made recommendations that can be implemented by a variety of actors and connected with passionate young people all contributing in some way towards the ultimate goal of peace.
IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS

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Ours is the first generation which is faced with a choice of continued existence of our species and this planet or complete destruction. - Jonathan Granoff
The overriding phenomenon considered by presenters, and indeed a major focus of the conference, was the problem of violence in the name of religion. Both former member of Parliament David Kilgour and Professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer noted that religious violence was more prevalent in the 20th century than at any other time in human history. Telling remarkably poignant, sometimes chilling and often inspiring personal stories, presenters made reference to current and recent conflicts in various parts of the world, many of them with religious overtones:
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James Loney spoke of the ongoing conflict in Iraq and of his four months in captivity there. David and Mary Lou Klassen, who have spent many years as Mennonite missionaries in Africa, spoke about the war between the government and the Lord's Resistance Army in northern Uganda. David Kilgour alluded to the targeting of Falun Gong practitioners in China. General John de Chastelain described the sectarianism and hatred on the basis of religion that he observed in Northern Ireland. Senator and retired General Romo Dallaire recalled the reappearance of genocide in Rwanda, where he served as commander of UN forces. Kilgour, Dallaire and a number of other speakers evoked the starvation, conflict and developing genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. Dehunge Shiaka described the eleven-year civil war and human rights violations in Sierra Leone.

Though this list is far from exhaustive, it paints a gruesome portrait of a world plagued by war and suffering; much of it carried out in the name of God. Those in attendance at this pivotal event were receptive to the call by former UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor to progressively end violence in the name of God and say 'No, violence is never in the name of God.'

It is important to note, however, that violence in the name of God is not restricted to so-called holy wars waged by religious fanatics. Indeed, as many speakers illustrated, it most often is related to other problems in various spheres: political, religious, economic, environment and health and the problem of violence against women and children.
Relating to politics:
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Peace activist Jonathan Granoff characterized nuclear weapons and the incoherent policies regarding their stockpiling as the ultimate evil and as one of three main challenges for this generation. Incoherence, Granoff said, occurs when we get entangled in the 'how' and forget the 'why.' Journalist Haroon Siddiqui pointed to the democratic deficit represented by public opinion ranged against government and the media. David Kilgour identified another democratic deficit, the one involved in globalization. Kilgour also pointed to a third democratic deficit: the 45 or so dictatorships left in the world that lack any effective combination of effective judiciary and rights, put the interests of the state before that of democracy and oppose any spread of democratic ideals as an attack on state sovereignty. Kilgour criticized Canada's failure to maintain its peace-keeping tradition. Professor Walther Lichem evoked processes of societal disintegration, especially the inability of cocitizens to live together and create a community together. Former Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Ovide Mercredi, indigenous elder Wilson Okeymow and other speakers emphasized violations of indigenous people's rights. Senator Lois Wilson, former President of the World Council of Churches, identified the political disenfranchisement of women. Romo Dallaire related violence to state-inspired hate, stigmatization, dehumanization, imploding nations, ethnic, religious and tribal frictions. In specific reference to Rwanda, Dallaire pointed to the failure of sovereign states to provide assistance to prevent genocide.

Relating to economics:
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Jonathan Granoff identified poverty as the second of the three main challenges for this generation. Federico Mayor criticized the substitution of the laws of the market for universal values that unite the immense diversity of human beings, suggesting that the laws of the market have exacerbated disparities that lead to violence. Lois Wilson pointed to the effects of globalization, especially on women. For Wilson, economic barriers against women amount to economic violence. A questioner challenged speakers to address the human costs of arms spending.

Relating to religion:
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Rabbi Lindsey bat Joseph and Muslim community leader Karen Hamdon warned of the radicalization of religion. Lois Wilson noted the division in religious communities on sexual topics.

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Fakhar Ul Nisa Khokher of Pakistan pointed to the lack of respect for Islam, especially as manifested in the publication in a Danish newspaper in 2005 of cartoons mocking the Prophet Muhammad. Wilson Okeymow evoked the confusion brought to First Nations by religion. He recalled being forced to cut his hair when he was sent to a residential school, while at the same time being forced to pray to a figure with long hair Jesus.

Relating to environment and health:

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Jonathan Granoff identified environmental degradation as the third main challenge for this generation. Lois Wilson pointed to the lack of sustainable development as a barrier to peace. For Wilson, another barrier to peace is the lack of fresh water and privatization of water, as manifested in the sale of bottled water. From their experiences in Africa, Mary Lou and David Klassen highlighted the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the hunger and disease they observed in Congo.

Relating to violence against women and children:

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Romo Dallaire pointed to the use of children as instruments of war and young women as sex slaves, and killing and raping to create fear, while Senator Mobina Jaffer referred to rape as a weapon of war and recalled meeting a victim of gang rape in Darfur. Lois Wilson evoked the deprivation of women's sexual identity and reproductive rights. Jaffer enumerated a number of forms of violence against women: honour killings, femicide, trafficking, female genital mutilation, forced marriages and domestic violence.

In addition to these specific problems, speakers also identified a number of underlying factors that bring about or perpetuate such problems. These too fell into a number of categories: politicalphilosophical considerations, religion, and public discourse.
Political-philosophical considerations:
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Professor Patrice Brodeur of the Universit de Montral noted that the West has imposed the idea of itself as the best civilization through scientific discourse and the philosophy of positivism. David Goa, scholar of religion and culture, criticized the prevailing culture of amnesia, or fear of bringing history and traditions into public discourse. Ovide Mercredi criticized economic and political dominance by one group. Mercredi also maintained that Canada practises a policy of selective inclusion inclusion defined by the dominant group. Why should inclusion, he asked, result in the loss of one's identity, culture, freedom and rights? Claudette Tardif emphasized fear of the other as a cause of hatred, discrimination, prejudice and intolerance, while Romo Dallaire referred to the fear of humanity and Imam Tamir Abu As-Su'ood Ali criticized people's tendency to judge others before getting to know who they are. Walther Lichem alluded to the developing phenomenon of a gated society. Dr. Saleem Qureshi pointed to colonization and domination in the Muslim world.

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Karen Hamdon evoked the problem of the ego, as manifested in greed, anger and jealousy. In the same vein, Hindu spiritual leader Acharya Shivshankar Dwivedi said that violence and uncontrolled desires are symptoms of the troubled mind. Dallaire saw countries acting in their own self-interest as a cause of war. He pointed especially to the U.S. pullout from Somalia under President Bill Clinton because the cost of casualties was too high. Mobina Jaffer and Lois Wilson noted that control and power are in the hands of men, and 50 per cent of our population is not in charge.

Religion:
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Patrice Brodeur noted that people impose their idea of God on others and referred to this as imperialist religious action. David Goa and Professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer noted the symbiotic relationship between religious fundamentalism and secular fundamentalism. Goa referred to them as co-dependent twins and argued that they create a frozen framework for the discussion of human rights. Brodeur attributed the rise of fundamentalism to a positivist reading of religious traditions. A number of speakers raised issues related to the interpretation of religious teachings. Thus, Federico Mayor referred to a biased interpretation of religion, which he saw as a source of violence. Along the same lines, Thupten Jinpa, president of the Institute of Tibetan Classics, criticized the misinterpretation of religious beliefs, while for Nelson-Pallmeyer, the problem was the misinterpretation and selective use of sacred texts. Nelson-Pallmeyer was also critical of the lack of honesty about those sacred texts that do promote violence, patriarchy and discrimination. Nelson-Pallmeyer also identified a religion of violence; indeed, he saw violence as the main religion. James Loney criticized the use of religion to draw boundaries. Nelson-Pallmeyer pointed to the reinforcement of patriarchy by world religions, while Mobina Jaffer noted that religion and culture take women's rights away. Thupten Jinpa identified the problem of the domination of discourse by secular thought.

Public discourse:
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Haroon Siddiqui pointed to media bias due to the ideology of media owners. Siddiqui was also critical of the use of media for government propaganda. Siddiqui suggested that the media had become infantilized and failed to raise important questions. The media, he said, should not just be showing the result of sending soldiers to Iraq but asking why soldiers are being sent to Iraq at all. Finally, Siddiqui identified the media's promotion of a narrative of war. Educator Anne Pearson criticized educational institutions for not consistently promoting a culture of peace. Federico Mayor pointed to the misguided emphasis in education systems on instruction and training, suggesting that true education prepares human beings to think and create. Similarly, Lindsey bat Joseph distinguished between information and knowledge, noting that there is a lot of information but very little knowledge. Wilson Okeymow criticized the educational system's focus on black and white, right and wrong.

RECOMMENDING SOLUTIONS

We can achieve consensus, despite our differences of belief and opinion ... The religions of the world can and should play a part in ending human suffering and shaping future peace ... We must eradicate the solitudes within our hearts, overcome our fear of the other and challenge the frustrations within our minds ... We must see in each other a reflection of ourselves, molded in the image of the Divine. - Senator Claudette Tardif
The complexity of the issues identified by conference participants were not minimized. Though all present shared Senator Tardif's hopeful convictions, there was no pretence of facile solutions. Thus, the recommendations for action and change which issued from the gathering were both exacting and straightforward. They demanded nothing less than a complete paradigm shift away from selfservice, egocentrism and exclusivity towards love of neighbour, global awareness and inclusivity. These recommendations fell under four broadly defined categories: those which can be implemented within religious traditions; those which can be implemented among religious traditions; those which need to be addressed within various societal structures; and those for individual citizens.
Within religious traditions: 1. That moderates become the public faces of each religious tradition. While much was said about the problem of fundamentalists hijacking religious traditions and using them to promote their political agendas, it was generally recognized that all faith traditions have, as their bases, a commitment to justice and peace. Thus, many conference presenters endorsed Karen Hamdon's call for all moderates to stand up against the threat of radicalization of religion ... to bring to the surface the real beauty and untapped potential for peace in every religion. 2. That sacred texts be approached respectfully, but critically and cautiously. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer suggested that we cannot overcome violence, which he termed the dominant religion in the world, unless we challenge the violence in our sacred texts. We have to treat different religious traditions respectfully, he said, but we have to take their interpretations of sacred texts with caution. We have to take a much more humble and critical role in interpreting the texts. Tamir Abu As-Su'ood Ali argued that we need to look to religious leaders for better interpretations of our sacred texts. Many other speakers, however, including Karen Hamdon and Lindsey bat Joseph, agreed with Thupten Jinpa's call that all members of a tradition approach their texts with a sympathetic critical stance and recognize that texts have been written and interpreted by woefully imperfect human beings. David Goa cautioned listeners that the hermeneutics of suspicion promoted by that approach presupposes a thorough understanding of the basics of the tradition and texts being considered.

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3.

That religious leaders, in their roles as spiritual advisors and as the voices of their communities, teach and promote peace. Karen Hamdon reminded her audience that violence and compassionate non-violence all begin in our minds first and then are executed in reality. Keeping this in mind, faith should provide us tools to deliberately reject violence and consciously accept compassion and peace. Her assertion, which was echoed by Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil and others, was strongly reinforced by John de Chastelain's experiences in Northern Ireland, where he relied heavily upon both secular and religious leaders to promote peace and reconciliation.

Among faith traditions working together: 4. That faith communities press for an Advisory Council on Religion. This advisory council, a specific recommendation of Lois Wilson, would serve the Minister of Foreign Affairs by providing religious contextualization for issues which require particular knowledge or sensitivity. 5. That faith communities come together to form and fund a multifaith organization in Canada. Even though, as panel chairperson Charlach Mackintosh said, religion has a controversial and violent past, ... it has the potential to be all encompassing and a strong proponent of peace. Models of a context for that peace-building were offered by different speakers, but all agreed with Wilson that Canada would benefit from an organized forum in which the positive streams within our religious traditions (Nelson-Pallmeyer) could be shared, members of faith traditions could learn to question one another respectfully (Jaffer) and honest dialogue, in which all parties are open to change (Miller) can occur. Fakhar Ul Nisa Khokher further recommended a universal body for religious leaders and scholars to promote religious tolerance. Such bodies would respond to Federico Mayor's call for societal capacities for cross-cultural and interfaith understanding through conversation. 6. That, in times of national celebration or tragedy, religions be visible in every ceremony and invited to speak the best of their healing traditions. As an extension of the call to bring religion into public discourse and in keeping with Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer's emphasis on the need to build on the positive images of the plurality of our religious traditions, Lois Wilson proposed a course of action which would lead to stronger multifaith expressions of national sympathies. 7. That faith communities press governments to pass legislation to implement UN covenants. Romo Dallaire, Mobina Jaffer and Lois Wilson all spoke about the importance of UN covenants, as a tool not only for ending violence around the world but also for radically changing the conditions for violence here in Canada, particularly in terms of justice for our First Nations citizens and for women and children. They all, therefore, recommended that the combined efforts of our faith communities be used to create the political will to legislate and enforce those covenants at home and abroad.

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By various structures within society: 8. That the Canadian government work towards reconciliation with the Canada's First Nations people. Pointing out that Canadians have defined inclusion to mean that indigenous identity, culture, freedoms and rights have been lost, Ovide Mercredi called for a change in perspective and insisted that Canada has to learn what peace means at home before it teaches peace abroad. 9. That Canada play an active role in systematically challenging and eliminating the world's democratic deficits. A concerted plan of challenging and eliminating existing dictatorships and unjust political regimes is, in David Kilgour's opinion, Canada's obligation because of its history of peacemaking. That reputation, he contended, is becoming historical rather than current: Canada has been drawing on such legacies [as that of Pearson] for far too long, and it is time that we come up with more recent and contemporary examples of a Canadian stand that is effectively and cogently argued on the international forum and strengthens Canadian values of peace, understanding and interfaith dialogue. 10. That Canada and other countries which accept large numbers of immigrants explicitly address issues of racism and subtle discrimination. There was consensus among the conference speakers that education is the greatest tool in overcoming fear of the other, which so often leads to violence. Ensuring that newcomers, to Canada and elsewhere, do not face the systemic discrimination which leads to lower wages, less attractive employment opportunities and underemployment will, David Kilgour argued, help to create an environment in which broader racism and violence becomes intolerable. Several speakers articulated the need to safeguard the rights of all individuals in our places of work as an essential element of entrenching the value of peace. 11. That women be encouraged to assume stronger roles of political leadership. There was consensus that women are essential to the peace-making process. As Mobina Jaffer explained: Canada has recently ratified [UN] Resolution 1325. It was unanimously agreed that wars are not fought in battlegrounds but in communities, and the most affected are women and children. We must apply this resolution not only abroad but also domestically. We need to begin to make women into decision makers and to realize their inherent potential. Governments need to make changes, to put money into development and it needs to be inclusive. 12. That governments and international organizations encourage internal solutions as the central component of peace processes. Bijaya Pokharal of Nepal promotes peace-building processes which are carried out through global, regional and national networks but which, in the end, are not externally imposed. We need to support inclusive processes, he said. Civil society organizations and outside governments should play a facilitating role rather than implement policies.

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That governments ratify the treaty banning nuclear testing and strongly encourage other governments to do so. Jonathan Granoff forcefully proclaimed that total indifference in the world about the extent to which [nuclear] weapons are stockpiled is the basis of an ultimate evil, indeed the ultimate evil itself. Getting rid of nuclear weapons, he argued, is a personal, political and religious responsibility.

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That governments support the movement for an Alliance of Civilizations. The Alliance of Civilizations movement offers a compelling alternative to the clash of civilizations model which has dominated global politics. Initially put forward by Spain which was then joined by Turkey, the Alliance of Civilizations became a formal initiative of the United Nations as of July 2005. It seeks to develop practical strategies to strengthen mutual understanding and shared values. Walther Lichem explained the movement to conference participants and promoted it as a viable mechanism for peace-building.

For individuals: 15. That individuals be encouraged and supported in the process of internalizing peace. In her response to Friday evening's keynote addresses, Sister Mary-Ellen Francoeur stressed the need for each person to internalize peace and personally participate in righting the wrongs of humanity. Her call to action was echoed throughout the conference. Anne Pearson, granddaughter of Canada's great peace-maker Lester B. Pearson, emphasized the importance of education to that process. Helping students to understand that rectitude of conduct, trustworthiness, honesty and sincerity of purpose are essential elements in the foundation of stability and progress; that service to humanity is the source of happiness, honour and meaning in life, she insisted, provides them with the kinds of moral leadership training that will help them to overcome challenges of abuse, racism, political corruption, environmental degradation and inequality of all kinds. In short, she said, it will provide young people with the tools to transform society and build peace. Such a transformation is not, however, the exclusive purview of the young. James Loney reminded the audience of the stark contrast between the peace which Canadians take for granted and the state of constant fear which has numbed the senses of untold numbers of people worldwide. To end the violence which shapes too much of the world, Wilson Okeymow challenged his audience on a very personal level: We can't fix anyone except for ourselves, he said, but in so doing we create a ripple effect. We need to make adjustments in ourselves to create change in society. 16. That individuals become actively involved in directing public discourse. In bringing together a plurality of people such as politicians, theologians, workplace managers, religious leaders, educators and front-line activists for the Building World Peace conference, the John Humphrey Centre took an important step towards directing public discourse for peace. This endeavour elevating the standards of discourse, insisting on the

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integrity of our media, telling the truths about our experiences of faith, peace and violence, and shaping language to uphold the dignity of all people is, according to many of the conference speakers, essential to transforming the world. Thus, Haroon Siddiqui, echoing the sentiments of Karen Hamdon, Lindsey bat Joseph and others, challenged delegates to hold media accountable to standards of balanced reporting and make their voices heard. Romo Dallaire took that recommendation even further by insisting that we demand more depth from the media that is, demand that they provide us with options on how to solve and prevent conflicts and report not only on the here and now but also on the long-term consequences of actions being taken. Conference speakers also promoted a further dimension: the insertion of religious values and personal stories into public discourse. Instead of shying religion away from the public, David Goa asserted, it is necessary to keep it in the forefront of people's minds. That way, it will no longer be the problem but the solution. Alberta MLA Rev. Dr. Bruce Miller affirmed Goa's position. As a politician, I do not feel that I leave my values behind, I speak out on them, he said. In fact, those with religious convictions should speak up. In his discussion of nuclear weapons, Jonathan Granoff agreed: If we deliberately and effectively bring out ... elements of religion and utilize those to define our world, it will highlight the ethical and spiritual incoherence that surrounds the issue of stockpiling nuclear weapons and selective nuclear non-proliferation. Thus, for individuals, regardless of religious affiliation, the message was clear: value-based conversation can only serve to better the world. And, as we were reminded by the personal stories shared by Mobina Jaffer, Lois Wilson, David and Mary Lou Klassen, James Loney and several others, the stories of the most vulnerable, of those who serve them, and of those who continue to work for peace must be told so that our public discourse continues to be informed by values which promote a peaceful world. 17. That individuals take personal action to make peace a reality. The final responsibility of each individual, as articulated by many of the conference speakers, was that of being the change we want to see in the world. As Walther Lichem so forcefully reminded us: We have to have faith in ourselves and act. The future is that each of us has the responsibility and opportunity and must and can contribute. We mustn't wait for vertical structures to advise us on what to do. The walking is by each of us. One component of peace-building, forgiveness and reconciliation, was addressed in stories told by John de Chastelain, Mary Lou and David Klassen and James Loney. In the face of unimaginable loss, individuals such as Uganda's Bishop Ochola and Gordon Wilson of Northern Ireland embraced forgiveness, refusing to let their suffering be the cause of further hatred. Bishop Ochola, whose wife was killed by a land-mine, said, Let my wife be the last one. While the actions recommended by individual speakers varied according to the focus of the presentation, the overwhelming call to action was clear. As Lindsey bat Joseph noted: If justice is one of the core values of humanity, then to remain silent in the face of injustice and violence is the greatest injustice itself.

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INSPIRING YOUTH

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There is one fruit that we will never be able to collect the fruit of the seeds that we did not have the courage to plant. - Federico Mayor
The Building World Peace event was unique in its commitment not only to achieve peace now but also to sow seeds of peace so that future generations do not, as this one has, find themselves at the brink of total devastation. Certainly, those sessions focusing on education and public discourse were forward-looking. More significant, however, was the inclusion and integration of young people into the conference process. Three hundred junior and senior high school students attended the concurrent youth conference, Building World Peace: Some Assembly Required, where they were intimately connected with the impact of violence in the world today and with prospects for peace by the presentations of the two keynote speakers. Dr. Fred Oola explained to students the ongoing conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army and the Acholi people of his homeland in northern Uganda. Oola gave witness to both the atrocities of the war and the hope that he has achieved by repaying the charitable impulse which made his education possible. Oola has worked for peace by creating The Child is Innocent Foundation, a not-for-profit organization supporting educational opportunities for children. Providing further details of the northern Uganda crisis, Canadian Senator Mobina Jaffer urged the students to take action, however small, now. The Creator put us here in this place of privilege, she maintained, to change the world. And changing the world is exactly what she challenged her audience to do. However, as the young women and men in attendance moved through workshops, created works of language, art and drama, danced to peace-oriented hip-hop and participated in an advocacy fair, it became clear that they needed little persuasion to work for peace. Each student made a pledge to take one action towards peace; together they covered a large peace dove with their promises. Groups of student volunteers and delegates from the event then returned to the conference centre to hear addresses by Rev. Dr. Bruce Miller, former hostage James Loney and Senator Romo Dallaire, providing important continuity between the two components of the conference. Further, youth representatives Jon Rivero and Sarina Piercy reported back to the conference's closing session, giving a passionate account of the student gathering. The vitality, hope and vision which these young people conveyed to the broader gathering and the inspiration which they provided illustrated that seeds of change had been sown in fertile ground and made peace for their generation seem inevitable.
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Conclusion
There cannot be peace in the world without peace among religions. Indeed, the peace we seek will lead us to an alliance of civilizations. - Senator Douglas Roche
As Senator Roche noted, the peace among religions that is a prerequisite to peace in the world can only be achieved through dialogue. The goal must be much more than tolerance or overcoming religious prejudice. The challenges of our time and especially the unimaginable destructive capacity of nuclear weapons evoked by Jonathan Granoff require religions to speak to the consciences of humanity with a message of unity. Dialogue means respecting truth and sharing our common values, which we seek to transmit to the world. Respectful dialogue among civilizations is the only weapon capable of creating a climate of peace, security and trust among peoples and nations. Furthermore, religions must affirm that violence can never be justified in the name of God. They must condemn all forms of terrorism and extremism and all attempts to use religion to justify these actions. Religions of the world should provide a powerful example in their common rejection of violence, support for the abolition of all nuclear weapons and defence of universal values of respect for life and the dignity and human rights of all individuals as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This responsibility is shared by all individuals in society. Now we must change, said Federico Mayor, noting that the change needs to be within each human being. Now more than ever, the world must unite across boundaries to instill non-violence as a way of life.

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Appendix 1
Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights Conference Executive
Honourable Douglas Roche, O.C., Co-Chairperson Honourable Claudette Tardiff, Co-Chairperson Gurcharan Singh Bhatia, C.M. Joan Cowling Gerald Gall, O.C. Randy Palivoda

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Conference Manager
Louise De Pape

Building World Peace: Some Assembly Required Conference Co-Chairs

Karen Gall David King Pirooz Taef Pierre Rousseau

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Appendix 2
Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights Speakers List
Imam Tamir Abu As-Su'ood Ali, Masjid Al-Rashid, Edmonton, Alberta. Rabbi Lindsey bat Joseph, Temple Beth Ora, Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Patrice Brodeur, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair on Islam, Pluralism, and Globalization, University of Montreal. Honourable Romo Dallaire, O.C., Fellow, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. General John de Chastelain (Ret.), former Chief of Defence Staff, Canadian Forces. Acharya Shivshankar Dwivedi, Hindu Society of Alberta. Sister Mary Ellen Francoeur, President, Religions for Peace Canada. David Goa, Director, Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life, University of Alberta. Jonathan Granoff, Vice President, NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, United Nations. Karen Hamdon, Founding member, Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities (ECMC). Honourable Mobina Jaffer, Q.C., first Muslim woman in the Senate, former Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan. Fakhar Ul Nisa Khokher, first woman president of Lahore High Court Bar Association, former judge of the Lahore High Court in Pakistan. David Kilgour, former Canadian Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa) and Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific). Mary Lou & Dave Klassen, former program administrators in Uganda, Mennonite Central Committee. Professor Walther Lichem, Austrian diplomat and former Ambassador to Canada. James Loney, member of the Christian Peacemakers Team abducted and held in Iraq for four months. Archbishop Emeritus Joseph MacNeil, former President, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Chief Ovide Mercredi, former National Chief, Assembly of First Nations. Rev. Dr. Bruce Miller, United Church minister, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Professor Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, Associate Professor of Justice and Peace Studies, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). Wilson Okeymow, Indigenous elder, lecturer, poet and singer. Professor Anne M. Pearson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, McMaster University. Bijaya Pokharel, expert on civil society organizations and environmental advocacy with Master's degree from Tribhuwan University in Kathmandu, Nepal Dr. Saleem Qureshi, Professor of Islamic Politics, Politics of the Middle East and South Asia, and Political Development, University of Alberta. Honourable Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman, Middle Powers Initiative; former Senator, Member of Parliament and Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament. Dehunge Shiaka, editor of Social AGENDA Newsletter and Programme Officer for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, Government of Sierra Leone. Haroon Siddiqui, O.C., Editor Emeritus, Toronto Star. Honourable Claudette Tardif, Professor Emeritus of Education and former Dean of Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta. Dr. Thupten Jinpa Langri, president, Institute of Tibetan Classics. The Very Rev. Dr., Honourable Lois Wilson, C.C., former Senator, first Canadian President of the World Council of Churches, first woman President of the Canadian Council of Churches. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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Appendix 3
Building World Peace: Some Assembly Required Speakers List
Michael Emme, Associate Professor of Art Education, University of Alberta. Ginny Freeman MacOwan, Program Director, Across Boundaries Multifaith Institute. Devon Harris, former Olympian, ambassador for Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization. Honourable Mobina Jaffer, Q.C., first Muslim woman in the Senate, former Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan. Oliver Kamau, Youth Co-ordinator, Peace Ambassadors Initiative. Mary Lou & Dave Klassen, former program administrators in Uganda, Mennonite Central Committee. Tom Keating, Professor of Political Science, University of Alberta. Phil McRae, Director, Alberta Initiative for School Improvement, University of Alberta. Dr. Fred Oola, founder, The Child is Innocent Foundation. Professor Anne M. Pearson, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, McMaster University. Jon Rivero, Occupational Therapist, Family Linkages Foundation of Alberta. Honourable Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman, Middle Powers Initiative; former Senator, Member of Parliament and Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament. Pierre Rousseau, Professor of Religious Studies and the Philosophy of Education, University of Alberta. P. Jean Stiles, Principal, J. Percy Page High School, Edmonton, Alberta. Darcie Tymrick, Project Co-ordinator, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Alberta Minister of Education.

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Appendix 4
Building World Peace Sponsors and Partners

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The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights would like to extend a warm thank you for the generous support of our sponsors and partners in helping to make this event a true success. Major Sponsors

Sponsors
Canadian Heritage Official Language Support Programs Branch Centre High Campus CKER 101.7 World FM CCN Group Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities EPCOR Frost Bytes Development Ltd. Francophone Secretariat Holes Greenhouses Maanaw Seva Association J. Percy Page High School Jan McMillan Medallion Wine Marketing Inc. Northern Alberta Institute of Technology PageMaster Publication Services Inc. RAMP Interactive Sharps Audio-Visual Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership Strathcona Country Councillors Brent Jewell, Glen Lawrence, Peter Wlodarczak The Artworks University of Alberta - Faculty of Law University of Alberta International Centre

Department of Canadian Heritage

Canadian International Development Agency

Alberta Community Development Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Fund

City of Edmonton

Canadian Multicultural Education Foundation

TELUS Opportunity for Youth Fund

Partners
Across Boundaries Multifaith Institute Alberta Teachers Association Budget Car and Truck Rental Burma Watch International Calder Bateman Canadian Federation of University Women COBS Bakery - Sherwood Park Council of Canadians CKUA Edmonton Economic Development Corporation Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Action Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers Edmonton Police Service Edmonton Tourism Fte franco-albertaine Mahatma Gandhi Canadian Foundation for World Peace Marie-Pierre Lavoie NewWest Enterprise Property Group Norquest College Royal Canadian Mounted Police SHAW Conference Centre Show Tech Power & Lighting The Child is Innocent Foundation United Nations Association in Canada (Edmonton Branch) University of Alberta - Augustana Faculty University of Alberta - Chaplains Association Worthington Properties

Edmonton Journal

University of Alberta

EDUCATION

Alberta Education

VIP Development Group of Companies

Campus Saint-Jean University of Alberta

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Every child is born with the right to peace. The birth of a child is a cry for peace.
James Loney

Ours is the first generation which is faced with a choice of continued existence of our species and this planet or complete destruction.
Jonathan Granoff

We must eradicate the solitudes within our hearts, overcome our fear of the other and challenge the frustrations within our minds ... We must see in each other a reflection of ourselves, molded in the image of the Divine.
Honourable Claudette Tardif

There is one fruit that we will never be able to collect the fruit of the seeds that we did not have the courage to plant.
Federico Mayor

There cannot be peace in the world without peace among religions. Indeed, the peace we seek will lead us to an alliance of civilizations.
Honourable Douglas Roche

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