National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) Chairperson State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi delivered an opening speech at the second Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar organized by Religions for Peace held at Thingaha Hotel Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
In her speech the State Counsellor welcomed attendees to the Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar.
Religions for Peace (RfP) International based in the United States of America, New York, consist of religious leaders from religions of the world. It was learnt to be the largest and most representative entity in the world working for world peace. RfP works together with followers of all religions of the world in peace process works with the aims of converting religious conflicts between different religions and raising human development, create a just and harmonious human society and protect the earth.
It was an honor and pleasure to see RfP organizing this second forum after successfully holding the first Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar at MICC-II, Nay Pyi Taw from 21 to 22 November in 2018. As all religions have teachings, instructions and guidelines that were beneficial for human society and peace, religions promote justice, human culture and human dignity. Religious teachings make a person mature and kind and give him/her peace.
Today’s religious leaders were following the teachings of their religion and strive toward establishing a harmonious and peaceful human society, develop and strengthen world peace and security. There are requirements to establish mutual understanding and respect between different religions and strive toward establishing a peaceful, secure and a flourishing human society.
To educate and inform about terrorism resulting from extremist religious groups and suffering caused by wars, conflicts and climate change, Asia Pacific Regional Interfaith Youth Network Conference organized by RfP-Myanmar was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Yangon from 18 to 20 December 2018. Youths who will be responsible for Myanmar’s future were expected to discuss about the essence of eternal peace in this discussion.
Asia Region Multi-Religion consultation with RfP representatives from 21 Asian countries to prepare for Rfp World Assembly in Germany in August 2019 was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Yangon from 5 to 7 March 2019.
Furthermore signing of an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between Interfaith Friendship and Unity Group (Myanmar) formed with the aim of achieving internal peace, stability and the country’s development via interfaith friendship and unity and RfP-M at the Royal Garden Hotel on 2 April 2019 was believed to enable the effective conduct and implementation of interfaith friendship and unity works.
At this forum in addition to examining human dignity and goodness ought to be shared with others, ways and means to overcome difficulties faced in the transition to a democracy system, ending of conflicts and achieving peace, establishing an open door economic system based on duty and responsibility of the entire international human society will be examined. The forum was also learnt to examine the responsibility and the power to provide benefit by the belief, ethic, social and cultural guidelines of each religions in Myanmar.
All are urged to cooperate and work together in the nation building works in accordance with the teachings and guidelines of their respective religions and mutual understanding to prevent outbreak of religious conflicts and establish a stable and peaceful social life in Myanmar where many people with diverse religions live, and provide full assistance, care and rehabilitation to those affected by conflicts.
Through conducting meetings like these continuously, may all people — of same religion and different religions — live together in peace and friendship. May all of you be able to propagate the spirit of peace, may you all be able to enjoy the fruits of success. May the country be peaceful and become a modern and developed country as soon as possible, said the State Counsellor.
Next State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi took a documentary photo with the attendees. Afterwards Religion for Peace-Myanmar (RfP-M) Patron Cardinal Charles Bo, RfP-M Chairperson U Myint Swe and RfP International Honorable President Bishop Gunnar Stalsett delivered speeches on national reconciliation and peace while Dhamma Dutta Sayadaw Ashin Saykainda and Oxford Sayadaw Prof. Dr. Bhaddanta Dhammasami delivered speeches on Dhamma and peace.
The forum was attended by Sayadaws, sanghas, religious leaders of various religions, Vice Presidents U Myint Swe and U Henry Van Thio, Amyotha Hluttaw Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than, Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, departmental heads, responsible persons from various religions, diplomats, representatives of United Nations organizations, officials from RfP, officials and invited guests.
At the forum presentations and discussions on religion wise development of peace in a positive way; education; equal rights, duties and responsibilities for ethnic nationals and minorities; capacity raising and participation of women; engagement with youth; youth protection; characteristic of Rakhine State; differences and common challenges were made. The forum also listened to the voices of youth. The second Advisory Forum on National Reconciliation and Peace in Myanmar will be held for two days from 7 to 8 May at the Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, it is learnt. — MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)
