The Global Peace Convention, the Global Peace Foundation’s flagship event is fast approaching. It will be hosted in the beautiful cosmopolitan economic and cultural hub of Southeast Asian, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Malaysia’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity that been bound by the national motto, “Unity in Diversity” offers rich backdrop for GPC2013 entitled, “Building Social Cohesion for Sustainable Peace through Universal Aspiration, Principles and Values.”

Below is the welcoming message from the Convention Co-chairs, Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Hajah Zaleha Ismail and Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Kurup.

WELCOME TO GLOBAL PEACE CONVENTION !

We are excited to invite you to the GLOBAL PEACE CONVENTION (GPC) 2013, the annual convening of the Global Peace Foundation, which will take place from December 5–8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – home to many faiths which form part of the rich tapestry of this vibrant Southeast Asian nation. This year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity: Building Social Cohesion for Sustainable Peace through Universal Aspirations, Principles and Values,” will engage world leaders from government, academia, business, the nonprofit sector and civil society in a unique, collaborative exchange. This world-level convening will advance innovative approaches to building sustainable peace, social cohesion and compassionate development.

The GPC will feature plenary and concurrent sessions, field trips, hands-on workshops, and prominent keynote speakers, with participants from some  40 nations around the world. The convention is designed to highlight cutting-edge models and best practices from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Oceania and Europe. The GPC will continue its tradition of plenaries and provocative sessions featuring experts and policy makers who will address twenty-first century global peace building and development priorities. It will also offer opportunities for participants to provide input to shape future GPCs.

GPC 2013 will host more than 500 diverse innovators representing the non-profit sector, faith communities, government agencies, schools and universities, researchers, service-learning program volunteers, businesses and corporations, and the arts. Sessions will focus on interfaith partnerships, women in leadership, family and community development, youth engagement and service, education, media, and business and trade.

Much work and collaboration goes into planning an international convention of this scope. Together our team is working to ensure that this premiere event will help all of us working in the field to find new, innovative, and more intentional ways to address the challenges we face to build a more peaceful and equitable world.

We look forward to welcome your good self at GPC 2013. Start planning your trip to Kuala Lumpur. See you in December!

Peace, Love & Unity,

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The following article appeared on 29-May-2013 | on www.globalpeace.org

Forum speakers clockwise from top left: Writer and activist Mr. Eddin Khoo ; Prof. Datin Dr. Azizan, Deputy Director General Institute Kefahaman Islam Malaysia; Mr.Kamarul Bahrin Haron, Executive Editor of Astro Awani; and forum moderator K. Puniamurthy of the University of Malaya.

KUALA LUMPUR—In the wake of unprecedented protests and racial tensions following the recent general elections, Global Peace Festival (GPF) Malaysia in partnership with University of Malaya and Projek Dialog organized a forum on May 23, 2013, to advance national unity and promote peace.

“After the election, there have been continuous negative sentiments and unfavorable issues created by various political and opinion leaders as well as the media,” said GPF Malaysia Chairman Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Hjh Zaleha Ismail. “This has caused concerns, uncertainties and even fear among Malaysians on the future and the direction our nation is heading toward.”

The forum, “Moving Forward: Dream of a Better Malaysia,” was the first of a GPF Dialogue Series that will focus on significant issues in contemporary Malaysia. The Dialogue Series will outline priorities that are important to the future of the nation, encourage respectful dialogue and engagement, and identify common aspirations and needs among all Malaysians.

Forum speakers clockwise from top left: Mr.Kamarul Bahrin Haron, Executive Editor of Astro Awani; Prof. Datin Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, Deputy Director General Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia; Writer and activist Mr.Eddin Khoo; and forum moderator K. Puniamurthy of the University of Malaya.

As a non-profit and non-partisan organization affiliated with Global Peace Foundation International and its program of peace-building, GPF Malaysia felt some urgency to create a forum to encourage higher perspectives and strengthen national solidarity based on a common aspiration for developing a united Malaysia for future generations.

“We hope that such forum will serve as a platform for positive voices to speak their minds and share their dreams while focusing on a more constructive deliberation and collective action, rather than pointing fingers to certain parties,” Tan Sri Ismail added.

Among the panelists participating in the forum were Prof. Datin Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia’s Deputy Director-General; Fuad Rahmat, Managing Editor of Projek Dialog; entrepreneur Maverick Foo; cultural activist and writer Eddin Khoo; and Astro Awani Executive Editor Kamarul Bahrin Haron. K. Puniamurthy of the University of Malaya served as the forum moderator.

In addition to interactive dialogue between the audience and panelists, post-forum video interviews enabled participants to share their thoughts and dreams. The forum series will focus on multi-sector engagement with the government, private sector, and community leaders.

 

Panelists and audience engaged is spirited exchanges on Malaysian national unity.

Panelists and audience engaged is spirited exchanges on Malaysian national unity.

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The first World Peace Award Forum was held from April 17-18, convened by Shaikh Majd bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.  The vision of the forum, the first of its kind, is “to make global peace a reality” through inter-religious and international dialogue that cross-pollinated effective peace building practices. The actual World Peace Award is scheduled to be launched next year in 2014.

Dubai has become a cosmopolitan haven in the Middle East where international business and culture thrives. Secretary-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, Mohamed Buhannad, described Dubai as a “multi-cultural, multi-national city where different religions live peacefully.”

United Arab Emirates itself has made significant investment in development and peace. This year it was ranked 16th by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for amount of Gross Net Income (GNI) spent on foreign aid, outranking the United States and Japan, who have ranked 20th and 26th respectively.

Participating organizations at the forum included, University for Peace in Costa Rica, Seoul Peace Prize from Korea, and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF). Hon. Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Hjh Zaleha Binti Ismail, Chairman of GPF Malaysia, spoke on strategies and initiatives that GPF has implemented in Malaysia, including Midnight Football, a program co-sponsored by the Asian Football Confederation, that engages youth in character education and sports in Malaysia to get them “off the streets and on the ball.”

Mr. David Caprara, GPF Vice President of Strategic Partnership, also presented on GPF’s Global Peace Award, which has been presented annually to recognize outstanding leadership in areas such as philanthropy, interfaith cooperation, social entrepreneurship, strengthening the family and good governance. Among Awardees are Kenyan businessman and philanthropist Dr. Manu Chandaria and Indonesian environmentalist Tri Mumpuni. The Award recognizes that common principles and values are what undergird any significant progress achieved in peacemaking.

GPF’s annual convention was also advertised at the forum.

For reports in the news:

Gulf News 

Khaleejtimes

Original post from www.globalpeace.org

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Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon touched all areas of the human experiences, and left a mark in all sectors of society.   Tributes have come from all over the world, honoring his vision, life and work. They show the  the world that show the depth and breadth of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s contribution to humanity.

Tributes

Tributes and condolences have come from around the world that show the depth and breadth of Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s contribution to humanity.

Below are some notable letters.

Members of the Global Leadership Council

Roberto Andersen, President of Instituto Univérsico de Pesquisa e Educação

Oscar K. Beauttah SS, International Board Member and Trustee, World Youth Alliance Africa

Dr. Manu Chandaria and Mrs. Aruna Chandaria, Chandaria Foundation

Dr. Vinicio Cerezo A., President of Guatemala (1986-1991), Founding Member, Fundación Esquipulas para la Integración Centroamericana

Hon. Bishop Manoel Ferreira, President, Int’l Convention of the Assemblies of God Ministry of Madureira

President Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya

Sir James Mancham, KBE

Dr. Osmar Lopes de Moraes, Attorney Parliamentary Chamber of Deputies of Brazil

Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya

Hon. Lilian Sameniego, Leader of the Colorado Party, Paraguay

Dr. Robert and Donna Schuller

Tan Sri Datin Paduka Seri Hajah Zaleha Ismail, Chairman, Global Peace Festival Malaysia

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