Mobilizing Cultural and Religious Ethics to Promote the U.N. Post 2015 Development Goals

Mobilizing Cultural and Religious Ethics to Promote the U.N. Post 2015 Development Goals

The U.N. post 2015 development goals encompass ethics inherent in many cultures and religions on issues of social and environmental justice.
The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics, in cooperation with the Institute of Noahide Code are launching a major initiative to create a global steering committee of religious leaders and cultural representatives to lead the efforts to harness cultural and religious ethics to promote these goals.

The ‘United Nations’ Headquarters faces the Isaiah Wall inscribed across from the main building. The quote from the prophet Isaiah was chosen as the founding motto for the world’s foremost organization for international peace. In his eternal thought, the day is mentioned when no nation will wage war against another nation, and when swords – the instruments of war – will be transformed into plowshares – the instruments for providing man’s sustenance. The Seven Universal Laws of Noah which are cited by the philosopher Hugo Grotius as the foundation for international law (the basis for the United Nations Charter) are the practical means, by which humanity can strive to live in unity and peace and can fulfill its potential to see all the families of the earth blessed. These laws for peace and unity encompass respect for G-d, for human life, respect for the Family, for other people’s property, for the creation, respect for the judicial systems, and respect for all creatures and the environment.

Leaders in the fields of culture and religion are invited to share their insight and wisdom with the leading UN officials to assure that the vision of the United Nations, to have a peaceful and civilized world in which economic justice and righteousness prevail, can be fulfilled. The goal of this summit is to develop a coalition of religious and cultural leaders to work with the UN to implement the development goals towards a culture of peace and prosperity.

  • GOAL 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • GOAL 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • GOAL 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • GOAL 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • GOAL 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • GOAL 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • GOAL 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • GOAL 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • GOAL 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization andfoster innovation
  • GOAL 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • GOAL 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • GOAL 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • GOAL 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
  • GOAL 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • GOAL 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation andhalt biodiversity loss
  • GOAL 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provideaccess to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • GOAL 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

TOPICS TO BE COVERED:

  1. United Nations Resolutions on the Culture of Peace as a Pre-Condition for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development (Goals 1-17)
  2. Religious and Cultural Values as a driver for the implementation of the UN Post 2015 agenda (goals 1-17)
  3. Ethical Finance to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere” (goal 17)
From:
http://www.ipcge.net/MOBILIZING-CULTURAL-AND-RELIGIOUS-ETHICS-TO-PROMOTE-THE-U.N.-POST-2015-DEVELOPMENT-GOALS.htm

Peace Process in the Middle East Global Summit – United Nations Headquarters

NOVEMBER 9TH SUMMIT AT U.N. HEADQUARTERS

INC



Sustaining Peace and Conflict Prevention Through Multi Track Education and Initiatives for the Culture of Peace and SDG’s

Sustaining Peace and Conflict Prevention Through Multi Track Education and Initiatives for the Culture of Peace and SDG’s

Save the Date May 30, 2018 in UN HQ Agenda

IPCGE Multi Track Council Forum
Hosted by the Mission of Bulgaria to the United Nations

UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS
Conference Room 6
1:15 – 2:30 p.m.

“Sustaining Peace and Conflict Prevention Through Multi Track Education and Initiatives for the Culture of Peace and SDG’s”.

Program
Welcome
Mission of Bulgaria to the United Nations
UNESCO Liaison Officer
Introduction
IPCGE Multi Track Council for the Culture of Peace and SDGs
Shoshana Bekerman, Director, Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics

PANEL I
The Dimension of Education, Diplomacy, Religion and Social Justice
Multi Track Initiatives for the Culture of Peace

Rev. Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi – Founder -Esther Ajayi Foundation

Rabbi Elie Abadie, Vice-President of the New York Board of Rabbis, Co-President of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, Board Member of the American Sephardi Federation and the World Sephardic Educational Center

Dr. Boris Pincus, founder Religions in Dialogue/ American Association of Central Asian and Caucasian Countries

Dr. Lahoucine Khabid, President, Atlas Center for Diplomacy, Morocco

Mehmet Kilic., President, Journalists and Writer Foundation/ UN Representative..Peace Islands Institute
Jonathan Granoff, representative of the International Peace Bureau

Imam Agha Jafri, Vice Chair or the American Muslim Congress

Myron Schonfeld, representing Ohr Druze Association for the Culture of Peace

PANEL II – The Dimension of Culture and the Arts
Introduction
Peace Museum NY and Journeys for Peace
Sergio Kopeliovich, Director, Peace Museum, NY

Rabbi Yakov David Cohen, founder UN NGO The Institute of Noahide Code

Rosa Amanda Tuiran / Consultant in SPIN Political Communication Workshop/ member of the organizational committee of the First National Public Health Case Competition.

Alyona Badalova, Director, Child and Youth Development Center ‘My Way”

Yael Hernadez Fernandez / Director, School and ballet initiative for children related to the culture of peace, One in a Kind.

Laurence Singer, founder and Managing Director of Global Beat Music

PANEL DISCUSSION

JOINING FORCES, NETWORKING AND PARTNERING FOR THE CULTURE OF PEACE AND SDG’S

OPEN DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION AND FOLLOW UP PLANS



Noahide Conference 2017

9 20 2017

Welcome to the Summit Conference. Today we will be addressing the The Role of Religious leaders for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combating Violent Extremism with Universal Noahide – UN

First, I want to thank our my fellow speakers for their outstanding leadership in this historic event: Mr  Mark Donfiled  and ICD Academy for Cultural Diplomacy

I also wish to thank all of you the future Ambassadors, Delegates, and distinguished guests who have taken the time out of their busy schedule to join us for this important program.

My name is Rabbi Yakov David Cohen and I serve as a Rabbi and an ECOSOC NGO Special Envoy to the UN for The Institute of Noahide Code. In my capacity as Special Envoy for the INC, my responsibilities include human rights issues in the Middle East including defending the rights of Jewish, Christian and Muslim Men, women and children.

I like to open with a story that took place with the former New York Mayor David Dinkins and the Chabad Rebbe Menachem Schneerson in 1991.. …Mayor Dinkins went, both as the Mayor and as the representative of the black community to the Rebbe in Brooklyn, New York, and said, “We pray for the peace of our two communities”. The Rebbe replied, “It is one community, under one G-d, under one administration.”

One people One World under G-D

Some people wonder, can’t we just get along – but everything in life that will function – and certainly function long-term must have both a foundation and a logical premise.

The only way societites – as emperically through thousands of years of human civilization proves – live together, is, if there is a higher ideal.

What can possibly be the higher ideal which unites all of mankind?

What we all have in common is three things – 1. Each and every one of us is a creation of our heavenly father G-D 2. Each and every one of us (including all species, plants, even minerals) have a cosmic goal in the tapestry and symphony that produces the beauty and melody called humanity – 3. The Creator has specifically taught the Jewish people, passed down from Moses, a universal Noahide ethical code and by us all humbly accepting, we introduce this higher ideal.

I read a personal ad in the paper: Homeless!  (JOKE)

Seeking home, will pay rent, utilities, looking to make the world a better place, will provide good company – G-D.

Each and every one of us makes a home for G-d by keeping the Universal Noahide code!

The Universal Noahide Code is one for peace.. Jewish Sages explain that a wonder of G-d’s creation is that, although the face of every human being is essentially the same, no two people are identical.  As facial features differ, so too, the workings of no two minds are alike.  Since differences are an inherent dimension of G-d’s Creation, no society should try to stifle these differences.  They should not only be tolerated, but encouraged as a  springboard for growth. Humankind is created in the Divine Image.  Given that this House is one of peace, we must within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, attempt to promote these values not only globally, but specially, immediately in our surroundings.

The Torah message is Universal.  Torah was ultimately given for peace.  Peace between man and G-d, and peace between man and man.  The first Five Commandments are the relationship between man and G-d, whereas the last five deal with man’s relation to his fellow human being.  These values are eternal, and are encompassed in the Universal Noahide Code. The truth of the matter is that before there was any formal religion there was only Noah, a man who withstood the tides/norms of his day and went against all of the trends of his time, for he considered these to be unethical, indecent Noah took it upon himself to serve and obey the One G-d.   His example was as valid today as it was then.   It is critical for all of us, that we, the representatives of many different people affirm and commit publicly to the basic premise, that people respect the very core fabric of life given by the Creator.  These are contained within the Seven Universal Codes of Noah, a way of life that expresses and makes the human being commit, to honoring first of all, the Creator, and ultimately, His Creation.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals envision zero hunger, no poverty, decent work and economic growth.  May I propose that in the Universal Noahide Codes, the belief in one G-d, promotes equal treatment for all human beings.  Humankind’s unity reflects G-d’s indivisibility.  The respect for human life envisioned in the Noahide Codes, also promotes respect that no human being is to be deprived of food as we are seeing regrettably in Syria, in North Korea, as a means of social control, of beating people into deprivation as a means of subjugation.  The respect for decent work and economic growth requires us to take into account, the right of all human beings to be remunerated properly for their work that local practices be taken into account by any multinational wishing to invest in a particular area.  It is a way of balancing profit with the needs and culture and livelihoods of those either employed or impacted by business.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals also promote partnering for all the goals we wish for humanity, as well as the promotion of peace, justice and strong institutions.

May I further propose, that the Universal Noahide Codes also envision this.  There is no greater partnership than the nucleus of society which is the family, the respect for human life within the family, the respect for the most vulnerable, which are the young, the weak and the infirm and the old.  And although not politically popular, may I suggest that the respect for the unborn is also a component of the first partnering of humans.  A future partner of society should be respected.  Everyone here present today, is here, because your right to be born was respected.  May I ultimately suggest as well, is that the Universal Noahide Codes also strengthen the notion of promoting justice, because in its core, the concept of the creation of a judicial system is paramount.  As is often said, there is no peace, without justice.

We have all and are all created by G-d – in fact in this sense we have something in common not only with all humans, but also with animals, vegetation and even rocks and non-living creations, with the Universe itself.  We need a vigorous proactive campaign which is what I am proud my organization Institute of Noahide Code stands for, in which all people, all people, are elevated through the deep appreciation that their lives are a choice – God chose them, as He loves to see each human being bring light, love, unity and harmony to his or her surroundings, to the world at large.  When we all realize we are His ambassadors, each and everyone of us, not only do we do good, but this gives us an inner feeling of worth and as we add respect to ourselves, love to the core, to reflect this to the rest of the world, by extending that to each and every person.

For us to have UNITY we need ONE AND ONLY G-D and for G-d to have UNITY HE needs us!

We had a giant in the United States, may his memory be a blessing.

Dr. Martin Luther King queried those around him:  “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is:  What are you doing for others?”

The Rebbe Menachem Schneerson also taught us that a “Little light can dispel a lot of darkness”.   Not far from this concept, and in terms of love, which is the underlying theme that humanity craves for, Dr. King added:  Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”.

But what is love based on?    Love, as Jewish mysticism teaches us, is realizing that we are but one heart in many bodies, one universal mission, affirming that each one of us has been made in the image of our Maker, challenged to rise above instinctual selfish instincts and invite a Divine purpose, mission and meaning in our life.  We can only achieve this objective, in the manner of respect, of establishing court systems, by creating partnerships that include the basic core of society which is the family unit, the respect for human life, through food, equitable respect for the rights, needs of others.  We include in this, the environment, as well as our fellow animal creatures, His entire Creation.

Practically, by each of us dedicating our lives individually to this recognition that “I am not a biological being, born one day, to die another”, rather “I am an ambassador of our Creator to add in the goodness and kindness of this world, I take upon myself the responsibility to share this message – the message of truth, the message of empathy, the message of love”.  Then and only then, can truly the vision of the U.N. be realized and speedily fulfilled, as the great prophet Isaiah expressed  ‘that they will beat their swords into plowshares and no nation will make war ever again’.

Sweet New Year!!!

THANK YOU.

IDC – Chabad UES NY NY USA on 9 20, 2017 RabbiCohen@Noahide.org



Noahide conference 2015

Noahide conference 2015

Nov 9 2015 UN HQ

On the week of the worst terrorist attacks in recent history in Europe, news that has shaken the international community to its core, a group of men and women, diplomats, journalists and Rabbis, Imams, and Reverends, met at the United Nations for the November 9th Summit mobilizing Cultural and Religious Ethics for Agenda 2030.

It is notable that it was the Permanent Mission of Panama to the United Nations that hosted this event, given that this small and prominent Latin American country, decades earlier, had been one of the visionaries to promote the Jewish lawyer, Raphael Lemkin and his 1948 Convention on Genocide, which was ultimately, the cornerstone for the International Criminal Court now based in The Hague.

Co-sponsored by the Insitute of Noahide Code, the platform for this event on 9th November, was the Universal Noahide Code “UNC”, setting forth to the international diplomatic and religious community what philosopher Hugo Grotius cited as the basis for the 1945 United Nations Charter and thus, the cornerstone of all international law.  Grotius further pointed out that the “UNC” is the practical means, by which humanity may strive to live in unity and in peace and can thus fulfill its potential to see all the families of the earth blessed.  These laws of peace and unity encompass respect for G-d, for human life, respect for the family, for other people’s property, for the creation, respect for judicial systems plus respect for all creatures and the environment.

Among those participating, Her Excellency, the Ambassador Laura Flores of Panama, who was the keynote speaker and opened the event welcoming everyone.  Ambassador Flores highlighted the efforts to be made now, so that future generations inherit and can enjoy a culture of peace built on respect and understanding.  Peace which indeed in thought, and also in the Wall in front of the United Nations Headquarters, is prominently displayed not far from where Ambassador Flores spoke.  There on the famed 1948 Isaiah Wall, we read, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

Another notable speaker among many prominent participants as The Honorable H. Lincoln Douglas, Minister from Trinidad and Tobago, was Mr. Gianni Picco, former Under Secretary General of the United Nations.  On the 9th November, Mr. Picco who was instrumental and actively involved in releasing numerous Western hostages in the Middle East, notably Beirut, spoke about his mediation among terrorists and then some regional tyrants, to save lives, reunite families, spare the world of more bloodshed.  Moderating the events, was the Mayor of Lawrence, Long Island, Mr. Martin Oliner, where the Druze leader, Coronel (Ret.) Munib Bader spoke about how the Druze have no aspirations of becoming a country or converting anyone to their monotheistic religion or tradition, and are loyal to the people where they reside.  Because 2,000,000 Druzim live in Syria, in Lebanon, and in Israel, the Druze are uniquely positioned to bring peace among these people in the region, according to Coronel Bader.

Among other prominent speakers at the United Nations, Rabbi Elie Abadie, of Yale University Center for Faith and Culture, and Chief Rabbi of Safra Synagogue in Manhattan, and Imam Shamsi Ali, spiritual leader of Jamaica Muslim Center of New York.  Whereas Rabbi Abadie spoke about how religious leaders have to find a means to transmit religious values in a manner that is both positive and conducive to non violence, Imam Ali said that he has been actively pursuing the building of bridges between the different religions that stem from Abraham.

Rabbi Yakov David Cohen, founder of the Institute of the Noahide Code and accredited to the Economic and Social Council at the United Nations, opened the panel of religious and cultural values.  He first thanked among others, Dina Katz , without whose expert involvement, the event would have been very difficult to organize.  Furthermore, Dr. Leonard Grunstein spoke about finances and development as a means of empowering people.  Rabbi Cohen also mentioned, Mrs. Judy Schaffer, who moderated a panel on development.  But it was Rabbi Yakov Cohen, who reminded those present in this first UNC Summit at the UN, that the basis of the gathering were the 7 Laws of Noah, with the common thread of the memory of the destruction and despair, upon which the UN was established.  The Rav reminded those present that the event was being held on the 77th anniversary of Krystallnacht, a time of darkness and desperation, which memory placed on those participants, and their constituents and congregants, the unique responsibility which humankind carries to be messengers of goodness, kindness and global change.



Noahide Conference Nov 24 2014

Noahide Conference Nov 24 2014

Nov 24 2014

NEW YORK—The Institute of Noahide Code, a non-governmental organization with consultative status at the United Nations, hosted an event at 777 UN Plaza on Monday called “One People, One World.” The organization was conceived as an opportunity to unite the world by re-affirming the belief in the One G-d as the Creator of all human beings and the belief that we are all created in the Divine Image. The event, led by Rabbi Yakov D. Cohen, gathered people hailing from six different countries (Belgium, Canada, China, Israel, Moldova and the United States) and from all walks of life: rabbis, diplomats, students, business people, journalists and former soldiers. All attended with a commitment to securing world peace according to the Seven Laws of Noah.

 

Among those present were the Canadian Mission’s Counsellor for Political Affairs for the Middle East, Afghanistan and Asia, Ms. Caterina Ventura as well as Moldova’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Vlad Lupan. Canada, a founding member of the United Nations and Moldova, a newly independent country, have vastly differing histories and cultures but the presence of dignitaries from both states demonstrated the universal appeal of the Noahide Code, regardless of divisions of nationality, class or creed. As Ambassador Lupan reflected: “whenever we think of a decision, we think through the right or wrong decision, right or wrong decision for my country and right or wrong decision for all the countries in the world.”

 

Also in attendance was a delegation from the Druze Community of Israel. This included Mr. Koftan Halabi, the founder and Executive Director of the Druze Veterans Association, an organization that advocates on behalf of many non-Jewish members of the Israel Defense Force as well as Israel’s former military attaché to Brazil, Colonel (Res.) Moneeb Bader, and Mr. Nadeem Ammar, former Mayor of Julis Nadeem Ammar, both of whom are board members of the DVA.  Rabbi Cohen praised the Druze representatives as an exemplar of different nations working hand-in-hand to protect one another: “These are non-Jewish people, protecting the Land of Israel—which is protecting everyone, both Jews and non-Jews.”

 

Pursuant to the same theme, Mr. Phil Nussbaum, Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg International Movement for Humanity also placed emphasis on cooperation among the nations. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swede, saved over 100,000 Jews during the Holocaust. Despite not sharing their nationality or religion, one man—Mr. Wallenberg rescued members of the Jewish people from certain destruction. Though Wallenberg has been missing since the close of the Second World War, the Raoul Wallenberg International Movement for Humanity continues to promote the values exemplified by this humanitarian action.

 

Throughout the event, the Institute of Noahide Code made available print materials in several languages including Hebrew, Arabic and Mandarin. The program itself was conducted in English, French and Hebrew. Ultimately, the key to peace is in seeing internally what unites us. The Institute of Noahide Code remains dedicated to promoting world peace through the universal Seven Laws of Noah, committed to crossing linguistic and national boundaries in order to truly realize the goal of “One People, One World.” As stated on the Isaiah Wall facing the United Nations Headquarters: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”

 

You can learn more about the Institute of Noahide Code at www.Noahide.org and view video recordings of this and other events, programs and lectures atwww.youtube.com/channel/UCqLMfZw-nDl3zpMPDicTp0Q.

 

 

 

 



High-Level Panel on The Role of Parliaments for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combating Violent Extremism

High-Level Panel on The Role of Parliaments for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combating Violent Extremism

UN Headquarters, New York, 21 July, 15.00 -18.00

LIST OF SPEAKERS

Co-organisers UNESCO, the Permanent Mission of Italy to the UN, Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics

With the Patronage of H.E. Prof. Frederico Mayor, President, Fundacion Cultura de Paz

Keynote Speakers: 

  • Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
  • Mr Jehangir Khan, USG and Chairman of the Counter-terrorism Implementation Task Force
  • Mr Jehangir Khan, USG and Chairman of the Counter-terrorism Implementation Task Force
  • H.E. Ambassador Kiarat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazahstan to the UN
  • Video Address, H.E. Frederico Mayor

Moderator: Gianni Picco, former USG
Panelists:
Panel 1 – The Call for National Legislation to Implement the Culture of Peace and Combat Violent Extremism

  • MEP. Lara Comi, EU Parliament Representative (Italy)
  • M.P. Saman Jafri, Member of Parliament of Pakistan
  • The Honorable Diane Watson, U.S. Congress(rt) and former Ambassador
  • M.P. Oezcan Mutlu, Representative from Bundestag, German
  • M.P. Jalila Morsli, Member of Parliament of Morocco
  • Video Address – Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini, Chairman, Italian Senate Foreign Affairs Committee

Panel 2- The Multi Track Partnership of Religious Leaders, Educators and the Media in Putting the Legislation into Action

  • Dr. Lahoucide Khabid, President, Atlas Center for Diplomacy in Morocco
  • Dr. Boris Pincus, President, Religions in Dialogue
  • Imam Agha Jafri, Founder, American Muslim Congress
  • Rabbi Yakov David Cohen, President UN NGO Institute of Noahide Code
  • Dr. Wafik Moustafa, Chairman, Muslim Conservative Network UK
  • Rev. Thomas Del Balle-Reyes, Catholic Holy Cross Church
  • Shoshana Nicole Bekerman, Director, Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics

Moderator: Mayor Martin Oliner
Affiliated Sponsors: 

  • Alsadiqin
  • American Muslim Congress
  • American Association of Central Asian and Caucasian Countries Religions in Dialogue
  • Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity Association
  • The Institute for Noahide Code, UN NGO, Atlas Center for Diplomacy

22.07.2016 – ODG

Building peace starts on the parliamentarians’ benches as much as on the benches of schools

On 21 July, UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova, addressed a High-Level Panel on “The Role of Parliaments for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combatting Violent Extremism”, organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, UNESCO, and the Interparliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics, at UN Headquarters in New York.
“Building peace and preventing violent extremism cannot be won with hard power only”, stated the Director-General. “We need soft power also, we need to win the battle of ideas, through education, through democratic debate, through a better understanding of each other’s cultures and religions” she continued. “Parliaments play a critical role to address the challenges of our times, when not everything can be solved at the level of Governments or United Nations Agencies alone,” said the Director-General in her opening speech highlighting that “parliamentarians have the unique power to bring solutions closer to the people, and make sure their needs and concerns are at the heart of our response.”

The event brought together parliamentarians and representatives of the diplomatic community, the United Nations system and civil society in an effort to establish a closer collaboration on the development of a culture of peace and preventing the unprecedented rise of violent extremism. It aimed at the adoption of legislation for mandatory education on culture of peace and measures to prevent terrorism and violent extremism. It also aimed at strengthening the multi-track diplomacy partnership, to engage governments, the UN system, religious, academic, and media leaders to fulfil their respective roles to implement such aligned legislation. The Director-General gave an overview of UNESCO’s action worldwide to prevent and counter violent extremism stating that “this starts on the benches of school, it must start with peace education, with textbooks and curricula that teach human rights, to prepare individuals to live as responsible citizens. Ms Emilia Gatto, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, stressed that “there are no easy answers… we need to tackle the root causes of violent extremism, including marginalization, inequalities, discrimination, human rights violations, and hate speech, using the full toolbox offered by Agenda 2030”. H.E. Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, urged that a long-term and comprehensive approach was needed to preventing and countering violent extremism, involving also regional and international cooperation, as a true requirement to deliver on the 2030 Agenda.

In his intervention, Mr Jehangir Khan, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, noted the key importance of dialogues with parliamentarians who represented the “citizens of the world”. He argued that violent extremism was one of the great challenges of the 21st century in particular in terms of preventing and saving the young generations from engaging in violent extremism. He also recalled the UN Secretary-General’s global plan of action, developed by the entire UN system.

Ms Hanifa Mezoui, Senior Advisor of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, commended UNESCO for having issued the Organization’s 2016 “Teacher’s Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism”. Ms Mezoui presented projects of the Alliance of Civilizations, aimed at strengthening religious cooperation and working through mediation as a form of preventive diplomacy.

The keynote session concluded with an address by Federico Mayor, President of the Foundation Culture de Paz, who recalled the important role of the UN High-Level Forum on a ‘culture of peace’, and urged parliamentarians to be at the forefront of the fight against extremist ideologies.

From:
http://www.ipcge.net/MOBILIZING-CULTURAL-AND-RELIGIOUS-ETHICS-TO-PROMOTE-THE-U.N.-POST-2015-DEVELOPMENT-GOALS.htm

Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics
The Role of Parliaments for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combating Violent Extremism