Ethiopia Interfaith Peace Building Initiative - Peace Day 2007
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Greetings
of peace and light from Ethiopia. This is info about IDP in Ethiopia
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE EVENT IN ETHIOPIA
Interfaith Peace- Building Initiative (IPI), Member of United Religions Initiative, URI, commemorated the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, 2007 at the African Union Hall, a symbolic place where IPI/URI erected a Peace Pole. In this special peace program, religious leaders/representatives, Ambassadors and members of Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of African Union, UNECA, Catholic Relief Services Ethiopia (CRS), Government Officials, Civil Societies, Members of the Ethiopian Council of Elders, members of IPI, and other invited guests that sum up to 290 individuals were present.
The program started with peace prayers and messages of religious leaders/representatives followed by welcoming and opening remarks of Mussie Hailu, the Board Chairman of IPI and Regional Coordinator of URI Africa. In his remarks, Mussie stressed on the importance of acknowledging and living the Golden Rule “treat others the way you want to be treated” for bringing lasting peace for ourselves, our family, community, society, and to our world as a whole and the role of religion in peace-building and reconciliation. He also
- Call up on religions leaders in Africa to work with us to foster interfaith harmony, cooperation, building a culture of peace and reconciliation in Africa
- Call upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, mayors, heads of state of the world, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, the League of Arab States, interfaith organizations, schools, higher learning institutions, the business community and civil society to join Interfaith Peace-building Initiative in Ethiopia in proclaiming Golden Rule Day
· Call upon AU, UN and international Communities for a fundamental change in dealing with conflict to shift from reaction to prevention;
- Call upon the African Union and its 53 members state Countries to give due attention to the role of religions in peace building and reconciliation;
· Call upon all Ministry of Education in Africa to develop peace education as part of their curriculum;
- Call upon all religious leaders in Africa to affirm their commitment to work together to promote interfaith harmony, a culture of peace and reconciliation;
- We express our profound pleasure and acknowledgment on the establishment of the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for peace at the United Nations and call for the African Union to have the same forum at the AU;
- Call upon all members' states of the AU to exert their utmost efforts to ensure that religious and cultural sites are fully respected and protected
Following the inspiring remarks of Mussie, Representative of Africa Union, Mr. Geffary, delivered peace message and remarks. Then, Sr. Leatitia Borg, Member of the IPI Board, Read the message sent by His Excellency Tim Clarke, Representative of the European Union. Following this message, Mr. Robert M. Okello Director of NEPAD & Regional Integration Division (NRID) and OIC to the Commission, delivered his peace remarks and read the Message from the United Nations Secretary General for the International Day of Peace. Country Representative of Catholic Relief Service Ethiopia (CRS), Mr David Orth- Moore has also, passed on his peace message and confirmed the continued partnership of the CRS with IPI.
Subsequently, W/ro Senait Mekete, Board Member of IPI, Read the Peace Proclamation and the IPI youth presented the Amharic and English Version of Golden Rule. Then after, W/ro Aissetu Barry, Executive Director of IPI read the Golden Rule Proclamation.
During the occasion, IPI has also honoured the Peace Award Of The Year to Prof. Ephraim Isaac and the Council of Elders of Ethiopia, acknowledging their enthusiastic and self-motivated efforts, and their significant contribution in the process of peace and reconciliation in the country- especially in relation to the government pardon and release of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders and members.
On this colourful event, religious leaders and honorary members of IPI presented the peace cup, peace medals, framed Golden Rule posters (in English and Amharic) and Chest Pin with IPI logo for the Awardees- members of the Elders Council.
Prof. Ephraim Isaac, on behalf of the Council, extended his happiness and warm regards for IPI and stressed on the importance of practicability in our day-to-day life for bringing peace and justice in our world.
At noon, 12:00pm, all the participants held a moment of silence lead by Mr. Robert Okello, representative of the UNECA wishing/praying for the prevalence of peace in our Earth.
Finally, the program adjured with the vote of thanks and closing remarks of Dr. Azeb Tamirat, Vice Board Chairperson at 12:15pm.
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