Parliamentarians - IAPP
- Written by: David Wills
As religious ideals lie at the core of most national and cultural identities, can political solutions to conflicts succeed without the religious perspective? By outlining the interplay of religious and secular perspectives, panellists in this session will assess cases of conflict resolution and prevention, offer their perspectives and recommend principles and policies for lasting, democratic solutions to contemporary conflicts.
- Written by: Robin Marsh
Integration processes in Eurasia are a strategic priority for Russian foreign policy, while integration with the western part of the former Soviet Union is a European Union foreign policy objective. Sharing common security challenges and threats, such as conflicts in the Middle East, Europe and Eurasia have a clear interest in cooperating and meeting the challenges and opportunities aroused by Asia’s export economies, notably with regard to the ambitious Chinese Silk Road Economic Belt project.
- Written by: David Wills
Overcoming Extremism Panel set in the House of Commons: Religious extremism challenges western secular political thinking. What role can religious leadership play in confronting extremism in Eurasia, in the Middle East, in North Africa and in Europe? Does it mean restructuring political decision making to have a greater role for religious leaders? At what level can their cooperation with political leaders bring effective, lasting solutions to the current crisis? Panellists in this session will offer their perspective and recommend policies and action steps fostering a positive contribution of faith-based organisations and leaders in the prevention of extremism.
- Written by: David Wills
International Leadership Conference - Peace and Migration: Cross-Regional Perspectives
While Middle Eastern countries struggle under the weight of millions of refugees fleeing conflicts, European nations, experiencing a historic period of peace, have offered both open doors and high fences. Today's crises raise questions of economic survival and cultural identity. Is migration a right? Is hospitality an obligation? How to balance the needs for integration, ageing populations and the preservation of one's native culture? Panellists were looking for principles, policies and action steps that can lead to sustainable models for peaceful coexistence between the three regions.
- Written by: Robin Marsh
The family is extremely important for social stability, and relevant to advancing all of the Sustainable Development Goals. How do stable and resilient families foster human development and social peace and prosperity? What family policies are conducive to sustainable development? Panellists in this session will give their perspective on the role of the family in peacebuilding, its impact on social stability and prosperity, and assess challenges in defining family policies for sustainable development.
- Written by: Robin Marsh
International Leadership Conference: A Vision for Peacebuilding in the Global Era
The Universal Peace Federation, in cooperation with Ambassadors for Peace of all nations and faiths, has been involved in peacebuilding throughout the world through interreligious dialogue, consultations on peace and security, initiatives for peace in areas of conflict, peace education, and a multitude of other programs. UPF's peacebuilding principles and practices were presented, and respected statesmen and Ambassadors for Peace gave their perspective on the critical challenges of our time and their vision for bringing effective peacebuilding solutions.
For further updates please see www.upf.org, www.uk.upf.org, and twitter @ukUPF #ilc_london (Edwin Shuker Video link). Photo Link1 Link2
- Written by: Robin Marsh
Inter-regional Dialogue Addressing Critical Challenges: Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East, North Africa
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) has a worldwide reach. From 7 to 9 September 2016, representatives of three regions—Europe, Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa—will gather in London to develop the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP). Featuring 30 parliamentarians among 140 participants coming to London from over 40 nations, the conference will enable a genuine dialogue from nations rich and poor, from Christian, Muslim and Jewish as well as many other cultural and religious perspectives. This follows the pattern of inter-regional conferences held this year in Nepal, Burkina Faso and South Korea.
For further updates please see www.upf.org, www.uk.upf.org, and twitter @ukUPF #ilc_london
Please also see: UPF International Conference In London September 7 - 9