Giving peace for coexistence

An international conference on Interfaith Dialogue for Global Peace at the Peace Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, unanimously passed a resolution entitled “Brussels Peace Declaration on Religious Coexistence” on 1 December 2007.

The declaration commenced with “We, the representatives of different faiths, communities and cultures, participating in an international conference on interfaith dialogue towards global peace, organized in Brussels on 1 December 2007 by two sister organizations, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) Belgium, have stressed the promotion of interfaith dialogue for peaceful religious co-existence, cultural harmony and understanding.”

Giving consciously towards a peaceful society through peaceful coexistence costs nothing except giving feelings and attitudes of tolerance and understanding.

The participants of the conference stressed the role civil societies play in creating social awareness about inter-religious harmony, human rights and respect of law, as well as the role of religious and spiritual educational institutions in promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and human rights. They called for strengthening communication between the representatives of religions, faiths and intergovernmental and nongovernmental institutions.

They urged the media and intellectuals to focus on principles that enhance values, equality, tolerance and acceptance of others. They declared their profound conviction that:

• The various faiths and religions should advocate peace, compassion, and tolerance among mankind.
• The promotion of human rights and fundamental freedom, including the right of individuals to choose religion or faith, should contribute to upholding respect for the diversity of faiths and religions.
• It is more important for people of different religions and faiths to stand united and make clear that they will not allow the use of violence to divide them.
• Promoting and protecting peace, justice, human dignity, equality, equity, genuine tolerance and friendly interaction among cultures and religions needs to be cultivated and nurtured to help create an environment conducive to building peace and harmony within communities and people.

Hence, giving to humanitarian causes and charities does not necessarily need to involve funds. Giving consciously towards a peaceful society through peaceful coexistence costs nothing except giving feelings and attitudes of tolerance and understanding. And yet this giving can produce the most profound peace.