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“I, as one of many young people in the world, see the hope for world peace under this vision of One Family under God. It is so empowering. I’ve had firsthand experiences that every single person wants a world full of love because in the end, differences between people like race and religion don’t matter.” —Ohnshim Kim (2017 Global Peace Youth Interfaith Assembly, Indonesia)

Although the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world, Indonesia is also home to a great variety of religious and ethnic communities that inspired the country’s motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (“Unity in Diversity”), making it a pertinent host for the 2017 Global Peace Youth Interfaith Assembly in Jakarta. More than 130 young people from Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Colombia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mongolia and the United States participated in the event that would inspire them beyond barriers of race, religion and nationality to converse as brothers and sisters of the same global family.

Ohnshim Kim (far left) sits with other youth of the Global Peace Youth Exchange

Ohnshim Kim from the United States was moved by the vision of “One Family under God” saying, “It is so empowering. I’ve had firsthand experiences that every single person wants a world full of love because in the end, differences between people like race and religion don’t matter. When everyone believes in one God, which is where we all come from, instantly we are bonded as one family. Once we realize that, there is absolutely no reason to hate or hesitate to love anyone and everyone in the world. This is really about ‘transcending’ lines between humanity that may appear to split people. Because, as people of faith, we don’t split but instead unite to love.”

With such a wide variety of nationalities and religious backgrounds, youth who participated in the Interfaith Assembly had the enriching experience to dialogue with their peers in “Peace Circles,” discussion groups that explore practical ways interfaith collaboration can make a difference in their corresponding communities. “Indonesia now is in the process of building peace,” said Indonesian participant, Thomas. “This kind of activity is very important to really address interfaith and intercultural issues to young people.”

Youth from around the world get to know each other in “peace circles” at the Interfaith Assembly in Indonesia

Youth also had the chance to visit the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, the Istiqlal Mosque and the Catholic Cathedral Church built just across from it. Devoted attendees of both worship houses are renowned for their love and respect towards each other. On Christmas Day, a national holiday in Indonesia, Muslim youth will stand guard to protect Christians and their cathedral from any attacker. Likewise, when Muslims observe Ramadan, Christians attend the Istiqlal Mosque to share in the Islamic month’s spirit of peace and show their respect. From the simplicity of sharing parking lot space to physically protecting each other from intolerant offenders, this display of interfaith cooperation is a true testament to the power of universal values that goes beyond religion.

Witnessing this symbol of solidarity and harmony amidst the diversity of Indonesia, assembly participant Nadhifa was profoundly moved saying, “Through this program I realize that we are all family despite our different ethnicities, beliefs, languages, and races. We are family that should love and support one another.”

GPF’s interfaith programs based on the vision of ‘One Family under God’ is an example of the shared responsibility people of faith have to bridge divisions, resolve conflicts and build ethical societies based on common ideals,  aspirations, principles and values.

Through its initiatives and programs, the Global Peace Foundation seeks to harness the moral authority of faith leaders to inspire, guide, motivate, and to be actively engaged in vital peace-making and peace-sustaining processes for the benefit of the entire human family.

The original post appears on Global Peace Foundation. Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God.  GPF engages and organizes a global network of public and private-sector partners who develop community, national, and regional peace building models as the foundation for ethical and cohesive societies. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation.

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Participating youth and interfaith leaders of the International Multifaith Youth Assembly read their Peace Declaration in front of the National Monument of Indonesia.

“The universal principles and shared values of the world’s faith traditions  provide the essential basis for rising above conflict and building social  cohesion in diverse and multi-religious societies. They offer the antidote to the  threat of global religious wars. That is why cooperation among faith leaders is  essential for securing peace at this critical inflection point of modern history.”
Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, Chairman of the Global Peace Foundation at the Global  Peace Convention 2013

The Global Peace Foundation approach to interfaith cooperation taps into the moral authority of faith leaders as they collectively seek innovative and practical solutions to long-standing challenges to peace. In June, two interfaith programs in two very different regions of the world, Nigeria  and Indonesia, focused on cultivating cooperation and understanding among youth faith leaders. Both regions have grappled with creating cohesion in multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-tribal societies. Their shared challenges underscore how identity-based conflicts hinder development and thwart peace.

In Nigeria, the abduction of close to 300 girls from Chibok and the subsequent international social media campaign #bringbackourgirls has drawn attention to the bigger issue of inter-tribal, intra and inter-religious conflict. In South Asia, the move towards economic integration by 2015 has accentuated national, sub-national, tribal, racial and religious conflicts.GPF’s work is critical as it seeks to explicate universally shared values as the foundation for understanding and cooperation.

Dr. Douglas Johnston explains religious diplomacy at the Global Peace Convention 2012.

A recent blog on the Global Peace Foundation drew on the experiences of Dr. Douglas Johnston, a member of the Global Leadership Council and founder of the International Center for Religious Diplomacy (ICRD), a long-time partnering organization of GPF, to provide an up-close look at how interfaith-cooperation works. ICRD uses “Track Two diplomacy” to engage religion as a solution to religiously based conflict.

In 2007, Douglas Johnston conducted a round table with several Taliban commanders in the mountains of Pakistan. At the Euphrates Summit in 2011, he recounts that his objective at the time was “to see if we can build on religious values that we have in common to build a confidence-building measure that can point to peace.”

Significantly, Dr. Johnston does not shy away from his own Christian convictions, and he is not afraid to draw connections with Islam. At one point in the discussions, a participant stood up and confronted Dr. Johnston, “I cannot talk to you unless you are a Muslim.” To which Dr. Johnston responded, “I don’t see a problem with that. Muslim means submission to God, we all submit to God, and thus we are all Muslim.” Later that year, that same group of religious and tribal leaders became instrumental in the release of 18 Korean missionaries kidnapped by the Taliban.

This exchange illustrates what Professor Diana Eck of the Pluralism Project at Harvard University encourages as an “encounter of commitments” that becomes the basis for an “active seeking of understanding across lines of difference.” Rather than stripping away religious convictions, it is a quest to draw out the universal principles and shared values that can become the basis for cohesive, ethical societies amid diversity.

Yet, it takes a leap of faith to tread on “enemy” territory to discover common ground. It also takes clarity of understanding, as well as the courage to seek out connections that can cultivate respect and eventually, cooperation.

Muslim and Christian leaders discuss the challenges of inter-religious cooperation in Southern Kaduna State.

Retreats and assemblies such as the Interfaith Young Leaders  Retreat in Nigeria and the International Multifaith Youth  Assembly facilitate this process by providing a safe space to  explore common ground and commitments in places fraught  with tension and conflict. It is in these safe spaces among    those who are poised to shape the future as the parents,  teachers and leaders of tomorrow, we might imagine peace,  understanding, and with it, cooperation and prosperity.

Fundamental to GPF’s inter-religious efforts is the process of  discovering shared commitments to universal principles and  values. The growing network of religious and spiritual leaders  are working together based on a common platform of ideals  and setting critical precedents of character while harnessing  the innovation and resources to create lasting solutions.

Similar experiences, visceral experiences of “One Family Under God”, are vital for rising young leaders.
The Global Peace Foundation Blog appears here: Interfaith Youth Leaders in Nigeria and Indonesia Tackle Identity-Based Conflict 

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The 68th General Assembly hosted a special session today to scale up efforts for the Millennium Development Goals, eight time-bound, measurable goals to end poverty. According to the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Ambassador John W. Ashe, there are only 850 days left before the 2015 deadline. The United Nations is starting to draft post-2015 goals. H.E. Ambassador Ashe urged member states to consider a common goal “of which we can be proud, that leaves a lasting legacy, and establishes norms and frameworks that improve human well-being and dignity.”

At such a juncture, it is fitting to recall the Jakarta Declaration, issued on October 18, 2010, at the close of the Global Peace Leadership Conference, a remarkable assembly of religious leaders that convened in Jakarta, Indonesia.

At the conference, Dr. Moon called on religious and faith leaders to champion human rights and the fight against poverty while providing the moral leadership needed for this task. He said:

“The role of faith is vital in establishing moral and innovative leadership, because it serves as the bedrock for society’s collective conscience and sense of virtue. All around the world, the activism of such leaders are affecting their communities on political, social and economic issues ranging from championing human rights to fighting to maintain traditional values as well as engaging the Millennium Development Goals. Faith leaders include not only clergy, ministers, priests, rabbis, imams or monks but also lay men and women who are guided by their faith.Whether engaged in the profession of education, business, media, NGOs, politics or religion, they are motivated by faith and conscience to serve as moral and innovative leaders. Faith has always been a powerful motivating force in movements to positively transform society for the greatest good. Today, it is all the more important for people of faith to rise together, beyond our religious differences, and tackle the common challenges that are facing our communities, nations and the world.”

At the close of the Conference, Declaration signers committed, “with courage and resolve to forge vibrant and meaningful interfaith partnerships and programs for promoting universal social cohesion based on our common identity, shared values, principles, and morals,”  and to create “action oriented interfaith partnerships” that generate innovative programs to tackle issues such as health, education, poverty, environmental sustainability and the strengthening f families. 

Innovative initiative like the Power of 10 Rupiah, All Light Villages, and the Character and Creativity Initiative have resulted from these partnerships. Essential to these projects are the principles that guide and motivate these projects.

The Jakarta Declaration references spiritual leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and K.H. Abdurrahaman Wahid (Gus Dur), who set forth examples of the basic principles of most religious traditions as they worked beyond their religious community to serve humanity.

Dr. Moon also observed, “the founders of all the great religions were advocates for peace who championed the ideals of self-discipline and a selfless love for humanity. They taught and lived a life of tolerance and understanding, charity and brotherhood, righteousness and justice, and, most of all, principles and values. Their lives were a testament to the ideal that humanity is “One Family under God.”

Thus, key to fighting poverty, protecting the earth, or advocating human rights and dignity, are the basic principles and values that make up the foundation of a world of peace and prosperity. And central players should be religious and spiritual leaders.

Read the Jakarta Declaration here.

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14-Mar-2013 | www.globalpeace.org

Top left: A ceremony designating Paseban as an All Lights Village; top right: presenting a hand-painted eco-bag; bottom: children sing the Indonesiannational anthem at the arrival of the Japanese delegation.

Ten delegates representing GPFF Japan arrived at Jakarta International Airport in Indonesia on January 28, the first stop on a journey to the village of Paseban in the mountainous region of Mega Mendung, some 70 kilometers south of Jakarta, to present the remote community with a gift of solar-powered lanterns.

Jakarta had just recovered from a flood inundation that displaced 20,000 people. Cancellation of the tour was imminent, but the state of emergency ended on January 27. Delegates were then blessed with good weather and moved on to a hotel in Puncak, Bogor, where they met with GPF Indonesia Foundation’s staff and volunteers on the following day.

On January 29, the Japanese delegation and local volunteers traversed the rugged terrain outside of the historic city of Bogor and arrived in Paseban by mid afternoon. Village leader Entis and 50 families welcomed them, and children sang the Indonesian national anthem in their honor. The unveiling ceremony of All Lights Village sign board drew general applause, and Paseban was confirmed as a new All Lights Village.

Joining as sisters 

Top: GPF Japan President Mr. Aya Goto thanks
villagers for the warm welcome; middle and
bottom: solar-powered lanterns were presented to
villagers, who have limited access to electricity in
their homes.

As part of a sisterhood accord between the Japanese and Indonesian families, each Japanese volunteer was partnered with a group of families, and the Japanese guests visited each family’s home.

Houses in Paseban are made simply of wood, with walls of weaved bamboo. The furnishings are spare, with little other than mats for sleeping. With the village depending only on hydroelectric generators, people use only very small light bulbs in their homes, which are insufficient for their daily living.  When the river doesn’t produce enough current to run the generator, villagers are left without electricity.

Villagers explained that it takes more than an hour for children to walk around the mountain side to attend classes, and when raining, children cannot go to school.  Due to these difficult conditions some parents don’t have the means to enable their children to attend school.

Following home visits, the village leader again formally welcomed the visiting delegates, expressing deep appreciation for their support, especially their effort to travel to a rural village in Indonesia.

Representing the Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, Nahdulatul Ulama (NU), NU Bogor Chairman KH Romdon told the guests, “I am feeling ashamed because the Japanese people came to know the situation of this village and decided to support it earlier than I myself. I will support the village for its development together with GPF.  For this purpose, I promised that NU will provide scholarships to your children to study at NU’s Islamic schools.”

GPFF Japan Chairman Mr. Aya Goto responded that the delegates deeply appreciated the heartwarming welcome. He said the All Lights Village Project aids in community development through providing Solar-Powered LED Lights to help children study even after sunset.  He said that GPFF Japan believes that this light in the home will be a light of hope.

Mr. Goto added that Japan actually owes a lot to Indonesia at the time of the earthquake and tsunami disasters two years ago. “Indonesia took immediate action to contribute to the disaster relief operations,” he said. “It is a custom among Japanese people that when they receive something, they thankfully give something back in return.”

Entrepreneurship

The region of Puncak where the village is located is a resort area where wealthy Indonesians and foreigners own villas.  However the poor villages surrounding the resort areas have sometimes serious social problems, such as hidden human trafficking related to arranged marriages in which poor families give their daughters in return for a meager monetary support. Therefore, livelihood and entrepreneurship programs are critical to enhance economic opportunity.

Top left: Ms. Halimah Munawi, who is supporting women in the area through craft training; top right: KH Romdon, NU Bogor Chairman; below: Japan delegates meet with NU Secretary General K.H. Marsudi Syuhud.

Another supporter, business owner and writer Ms. Halimah Munawi, recently finished a community center in Tarikolot, a village near the All Lights Village site, which can accommodate 100 people. Women learn for bamboo-crafting to provide a livelihood, and Ms. Munawi agreed to sponsor an entrepreneurship program in the Alllights Village as well.

At a welcome dinner at the Bogor region’s government building, Secretary Hj. Nurhayanti, speaking on behalf of the governor, told the delegates, “Community development requires enough provision of electricity. There are many areas which don’t have ample electricity.  I appreciate the Japanese volunteers to their support in communities for providing the LED lights.”

On Jan. 30, delegates attended an exchange program at Trisakti Institute of Tourism, which has been supporting GPF international programs since 2010.  They later visited Nahdulatul Ulama headquarters building and met with Secretary General K.H. Marsudi Syuhud and three ministers, who shared about NU’s vision and programs.

NU was founded in 1926 and is the largest Islamic organization in the world, currently with 70 million members and more than 210,000 schools.  NU also has branches in Japan as well as other major countries.   “NU envisions building a peace beyond any differences,” Secretary General Marsudi told the guests, adding that NU’s schools will never produce even one Islam extremist.  “Wherever you go in Indonesia,” he said, “I promise that NU leaders will support you.”

The All Lights Village Project Support Tour provided LED lights to all families in Paseban Village in Bogor, Indonesia.  Through the tour, GPF and GPF partners were able to deepen the commitment to support community development.  GPF Indonesia Foundation plans to monitor and evaluate the development of the village with university support.

This article was originally posted on www.globalpeace.org

 

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2010, October 6-7 Bali, Indonesia – Youth peacemakers from Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe gathered in Bali for the Interfaith Summit 2012 entitled, “New Interfaith Paradigm for the 21^stCentury”, hosted in

Youth leaders representing diverse faith communities gathered to make interfaith connection in Bali and dialogue.

collaboration with the Global Peace Festival Indonesia Foundation (GPFIF) and the Indonesia Youth Forum (IYF). The three day program was designed to expand participants’ leadership capacities. Participants were challenged to connect across their diverse faith traditions and concurrently discover common principles and values as a foundation for cooperation and understanding.  Today’s diverse world needs innovative models of interfaith that integrates diversity and forges consensus. Bali was a fitting backdrop for the Summit. Indonesia’s motto, “Bhineka Tunggal Ika,” “Unity in Diversity,” appropriately describes this nation of six state religions and even more ethnicities, nationalities and cultures. Indonesia’s diverse population builds its common identity upon the Pancasila, five principles that define Indonesia’s ethic. Intercultural and interreligious cooperation is possible because of these shared principles. Minister of Youth Sport of Republic Indonesia, Bapak Andi Mallarangeng gave the welcoming remarks. He cited Indonesia’s motto and the vision of “One Family Under God” to express that differences are not barriers, but part of the diversity in the unity of the human race. He encouraged the youth, as future leaders, to welcome the opportunity to discover each other’s uniqueness and find ways to work together. Other presenters included representatives from the Norwegian and U.S. Embassies to Indonesia, members of Indonesian ministries and parliament, as well as leaders from notable NGOs. On behalf of Dr. Moon, Founder and Chair of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), International President Mr. Young Jun Kim presented GPF’s approach to interfaith cooperation. The precursor to his presentation expressed Dr. Moon’s commitment to youth leadership and its unrivaled capacity to dream big. Mr. Kim explained that the aspiration for a peaceful and prosperous world is the hope of most religious people, and the starting point of GPF’s interfaith work. He described how this vision empowers people across the board with fundamental human rights and freedoms, as rights given by God and not any human institution. The conference concluded with a peace declaration. Participants committed to “strengthen respect, trust, tolerance and cooperation among the people of Asia pacific and other countries with diverse cultures and religions.”

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A report was recently published by Global Poomashi –Indonesia. Particularly moving was their service projects. This program was not just an international cross cultural exchange, it was a joint service venture that broke down national and socioeconomic barriers.

Even though their time was short, volunteers carried out innovative service projects to address many social needs. They raised funds for the Power of Rupiah campaign, visited an orphanage to deliver sports equipment from the Dream Box Project, and visited an elderly home with the orphans. The volunteers did not just serve the orphans, they empowered them to serve.

There is something deeply spiritual in serving others. People serve because of the drive to do good and because of the connection that is felt with the rest of humanity. When people serve, a transformation that leads to peace is begun. When young leaders from enemy nations work side by side in service, any barriers of misunderstandings and hatred fade away as they sweat, cry and laugh together with a common purpose.

The pictures of a volunteer feeding his Indonesian grandmother and another volunteer putting her Indonesian baby sister to sleep demonstrate that when people serve together, everyone is able to see each others’ true value from God’s eyes. It is realized that before anyone is Korean, Indonesian or American, Christian, Muslim, or Jewish, black white, brown or yellow, all human beings are members of one family under God.

These volunteers have earned the key to peace. They have unlocked the power of service for peace by living for the sake of others.

Thank you volunteers of Global Poomashi. Thank you for investing your sweat, your tears, your time and heart into securing the dream of peace for this and future generations.

The page from the report on Global Poomashi-Indonesia that features their service work.

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