8th General Assembly of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace

Unity and Harmony in Asia

‘Unity and Harmony in Asia’ undoubtedly the foremost thought in everybody’s mind, forms the theme of the 8^th General Assembly of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) being held at Songdo Convensia, Incheon, Republic of Korea, from 25-29 August 2014.

Though Asia-Pacific region contains many great cultural, linguistic and spiritual heritages, and is proud of its extreme diversity, it is also true that this creates conflict among nations, religions and ideologies. The 8th Assembly is considering on ways to harmonize this diversity to overcome conflict; the role of religions for the peace of Asia-Pacific region and other related issues from pan Asian and humanitarian perspectives.  As the ACRP, which has already 37 years of history, feels that it is time to reshape and transform its leadership, they will be contemplating on the ideal system and leadership to represent all Asian religious groups.

Asserting that multi-religious cooperation through dialogue remains the strongest path towards achieving unity while preserving and advancing cultural identities, Prof. Dr. M. Din Syamsuddin ACRP Moderator, from Indonesia, and, Dr. Sunggon Kim, ACRP General Secretary, from South Korea, underlined, that the theme Unity and Harmony in Asia,  “reverberates our continuing fidelity to our predecessors to manifest that religions, despite its shortcomings and failures, are the best social capital towards social cohesion; unity and harmony.  Where hatred, materialism, narcissism and individualism dominate our socio-economic and political relations, our religions remind us that only through love, truth, honesty, integrity, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and hope can there be authentic joy and fulfillment in living with our neighbors.”

Speaking on the theme of Unity and Harmony from various perspectives, the keynote speakers, Dr. Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat (Honorary President ACRP and President of Religions for Peace Pakistan), Rev. Nichiko Niwana (President of Rissho Kosei Kai, WCRP/Japan), Imam Chen Guangyuan (Vice Chairman China Conference of Religions for Peace), Most Rev. Boniface Chi Ki-San (Bishop of Incheon, Korea), and Swami Atmapriyananda, Vice Chancellor Ramakrishna Mission, expressed their concerns on the escalating tensions between the nations and various communities in Asia. Calling on religious leaders to stand together to address these concerns and find ways to resolve tensions and conflicts in non-violent ways,  they stressed that people of all religions need to open their hearts and provide space for genuine dialogues among the different people in Asia.

The theme was further discussed as “Peace Education and Reconciliation,” focusing on constructing sustainable cultures of peace and reconciliation in a united and diverse Asia; “Human Rights and Well-Being”  on promoting the observance of human rights for human well-being, especially of women, children, migrants and refugees; and “Development and the Environment,” on planning for economically developing and environmentally sustainable urban and rural communities. A special workshop on “Reconciliation and Unity of Korean Peninsula” helped the delegates to understand the struggle of the people of Korea for reconciliation and reunification.

This Assembly, attended by about 450 participants, and hosted by the Korean Conference of Religion for Peace (KCRP) celebrated the 40^th anniversary of ACRP. The concept of an Asian Conference of Religions for Peace was born in the minds of Asian delegates attending the Second Assembly of the World Conference of Religion for Peace in September 1974 at Louvain, Belgium. The ACRP Assembly is held once in every five years, bringing together people of all religions to deliberate on Asian issues through thought-provoking themes that focus on Religions and Peace.  Themes like ‘Peace through Religion’ (first assembly in Singapore 1976); ‘Religion in Action for Peace’ (New Delhi 1981); ‘Bridge of Peace in Asia’ (Seoul, 1986); ‘Asian Religions toward the 21^st Century’ (Kathmandu, 1991); ‘Our Asian Neighborhood’ (Ayutthaya, 1996); ‘Asia the Reconciler’ (Jogjakarta, 2002) and “Peacemaking in Asia.”  (Manila, 2008) have given direction and advice to faith communities in their quest for peace and harmony.

Sitting around round-tables enabled the participants to interact with each other at the table and to reach out to others beyond their tables. The cultural presentations facilitated cultural sharing, promoted inter-cultural understanding, and encouraged interactions during the assembly. During the plenary sessions, moments of silence were announced from time to time, requesting participants to pray for peace. Special booths for individual and common prayers were provided for members of different religious communities.

Rev. Dr. Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, General Secretary, CCA attended the Assembly, as a special guest representing members of the Christian Conference of Asia.

Earlier, H.E. Geun-Hye Park, the President, South Korea, welcomed the Assembly through a video clipping. Global leaders like Hon. Ban Ki Moon, Secretary General of United Nations Hon. Swami Suhitanandaji, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission; His Holiness Pope Francis, Roman Catholic Church; Hon. Phan Wannamethee, President, World Fellowship of Buddhists;  Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary, World Council of Churches; Hon. Maria Voce, President, Focolore Movement; and Hon. Fethullah Gulen, Turkish Scholar, Preacher, and Founder of Fethullah Gulen Movement, felicitated the ACRP on the occasion of the 8th Assembly, through written congratulatory letters which were read in the Assembly.  The Most Ven. Ja Seung, President of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP) welcomed the participants, and Hon. Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, conveyed congratulations and greetings on the special occasion.

Rev. Dr. H H Lebang