The Global Peace Leadership Forum is providing a platform in Washington DC for highlighting innovative peace-building efforts from all sectors of society. Sponsored by the Global Peace Festival Foundation, (GPFF), the forum’s goal is to explore and stimulate discussion about (1) promoting a new paradigm for peace-building based on the premise that all sectors of society are stakeholders in achieving peace; and (2) that universal principles and shared values are essential resources to transcend divisions of race, ethnicity, religion, and culture. The topics basically follow GPFF’s 3 pillars of interfaith partnerships, family strengthening, and service. Some past forums…
Vision Amid Hard Times: Call To Character
Peace in Africa; Transcending Tribalism
Freedom, Faith and Family; an Islamic Perspective in America
Creating a World of Peace One Family at a Time
Reforming the UN; Engaging Interfaith Leadership in Diplomacy
Is Peace Possible in the Middle East
Global Orphan Outreach; Nurturing the Global Family
Achieving World Peace from the Inside Out
Many forums are organized in cooperation with partners. If you would like to co-sponsor a forum with us and/or have an interesting topic to propose, please contact
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"I forgot all that was sacred. I was a broken spirit. Dehumanized, I had no value as a person and I struggled with addictions."
"I survived..."
"Now I see differently, I see the universe. In seeing my own value, I see the value of all."
Chief Joseph, Chief of the Gwa wa enuk First Nation, began to speak with these words at the Global Peace Leadership Forum, held on Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
"Business people can be compared to honey bees; they are busy building honey factories and completely unaware of the critical role they play in pollinating the world's plant life," said John Dickson, the keynote speaker for the latest Global Peace Leadership Forum entitled, "Economic Development and Peacebuilding" He continued to say, "Most people have never considered the role of commerce in the peacemaking equation. In fact, most business people themselves don't understand the value they bring in creating domestic and transnational peace and stability, but that doesn't diminish their critical role." On the evening of April 15th, 2010, a cross section of businesspeople, China Society members, and folks from all walks of life heard a unique perspective on business and peacebuilding at the World Bank Building in Washington DC.
Can interfaith cooperation resolve identity-based conflicts? This question was the catalyst of discussion for a gathering of distinguished speakers and guests at a Global Peace Leadership Forum in Washington DC, on March 19, 2010. If a poll had been taken at the close of the meeting, concerning this question, the answer would surely be a resounding "Yes!"
Mr Jim Flynn, Senior Vice President of the Global Peace Festival Foundation (GPFF), began the forum by asserting that interfaith peacebuilding can provide a new paradigm based on the premise that there are common universal principles amongst the world's religions which lead to shared values that are essential resources to transcend divisions. The theme of GPFF, "One Family under God," is not a simple slogan but a core defining value, a fundamental orientation through which people of all faiths, races, and cultural backgrounds can find a common identity and a basis for respect and accommodation.
Speaker Introduction: John Dickson is the Chairman of the World Trade Centers Association's Committee on Peace and Stability Through Trade as well as Chairman of The China Society. He founded the World Trade Center Okinawa and while there, developed the first Forum on Globalization and Cultural Identity. This Forum became a series held at various venues throughout the world. Later, as a response to 9/11, John co-founded the World Trade Center Kabul, Afghanistan. He is chairman of the World Trade Center Shenyang and an Advisor to World Trade Centers in Dalian, Changchun, Shenyang, Qingdao, Nanning and Beihai, China. John is the President of World Trade Partnership, an economic development consulting firm.
Save the date, March 19, 2:00-4:00 PM! This upcoming Global Peace Leadership Forum will address the topic of "Can Interfaith Cooperation Resolve Identity-based Conflicts?"
Although the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror seem to have justified Samuel Huntington’s thesis of a “clash of civilizations,” there is no real split between the Judeo-Christian West and the Muslim world. Still, countless localized identity-based conflicts, often resulting in genocide, con-tinue to erupt around the world. Religion is rarely the primary cause of conflict, but it is often used to exacerbate and deepen existing divisions.
In this forum, we will examine the origin and nature of identity-based conflicts and explore the unique role of interfaith cooperation in peace-building efforts. We will highlight successful models of interfaith intervention in Mindanao, Philippines and other hotspots.
The Global Peace Festival promotes and celebrates persons and programs that contribute to reconciliation, mutual respect, harmony and cooperation among the members of the whole human family, as "One Family Under God". In partnership with a variety of faith-based organizations, NGOs, government agencies, educational institutions, and members of the private sector, GPF encourages programs that strengthen God-centered marriages and families, facilitate intercultural and interreligious cooperation, and foster a culture of peace and service. Ongoing programs are carried out throughout the year, and culminate in a biennial Global Peace Festival that consists of an international leadership conference, a social impact program, and a public celebration.
How you can join us?
Partnerships The Global Peace festival is all about partners supporting and learning from each other. You or your organisation can either make partnerships with the working groups or just simply because you want to support or endorse the GPF project.
Sponsorships Monetary support is always appreciated, as well as sponsorship in kind e.g. facilitating a venue or materials for service projects.
Save the date, March 19, 2:00-4:00 PM! This upcoming Global Peace Leadership Forum will address the topic of "Can Interfaith Cooperation Resolve Identity-based Conflicts?"
