President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday opened a three-day World Peace Forum in Jakarta that will bring together hundreds of world leaders to discuss the issue of religious violence. The event is being co-hosted by Muhammadiyah (Indonesia's second largest Islamic organization), the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations and the Cheng Ho Multi-Culture Trust.
Some 200 prominent figures from religious, political, business and media backgrounds are attending the event.
"There is always hope for peace no matter how difficult the situation is," Yudhoyono said, citing examples of conflicts in Southeast Asia, including the decades-long domestic conflict in Aceh.
He said many religious-based conflicts had been triggered by political, economic and social issues.
"Therefore, we should foster a culture of peace especially among the youth, and teachers should instruct on the instruments of peace, including dialogue, negotiation and confidence building."
After Yudhoyono delivered his speech, anti-violence messages by a host of former and current world leaders were read aloud or conveyed via video.
They included former Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and Dutch Prime Minister Jan Balkenende.
"We should focus on what joins us rather than what separates us," Rudd said.
Political leaders who have confirmed their attendance at the event include Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao, former Tunis prime minister Hedi Baccaoche and Amina Rasul-Bernardo, the lead convener of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy.
source: Jakarta Post | June 2008
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