Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 30, 1999
Prince Hassan elected WCRP International Chair
Conference concludes with declaration of common commitments
By Francesca Ciriaci
AMMAN — The general assembly of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP) closed on Monday announcing the election of HRH Prince Hassan as international chair of the organisation, and issuing the "Amman Declaration."
More than 1,000 religious, civic, and political leaders from around 60 countries affirmed after five days of intense deliberation and groundbreaking dialogue their commitment to "common humanity, common security, common interdependence, common future, common living, and comprehensive education for peace."
Addressing the opening session of the conference on Thursday, His Majesty King Abdullah asked participants to exert all possible efforts to help resolve Middle East issues, and Jerusalem in particular, "By peaceful means, away from the dual enemies of peace: Coercion and exclusion."
"You represent 15 different religions and spiritual traditions; you represent three quarters of the population of the globe; and you represent 100 countries in which 30 branches of your organisation are located," said King Abdullah, who patronised the conference.
Prince Hassan, chairman of the conference, stated at the opening session that the coming together of representatives of the faiths and cultures of the majority of the world's population "sends a firm and clear message that religion brings people closer together and advocates social justice."
"It proves that we want the way in which we view `the other' to be based upon the will to comprehend and understand, and not on misconceptions that sow the seeds of conflict," Prince Hassan said.
"The historic heritage of this region is one of religious tolerance, respect for the other and a strong belief in the right of all peoples to live in peace.
"It is a heritage that accepts no compulsion in religion and considers sacred the right of human beings to live in dignity," Prince Hassan stated.
The Amman Declaration affirmed the organisation's commitment to a common humanity which recognises the dignity, integrity, rights and responsibilities of all men and women.
"In a broadening of the organisation's commitment to the issues of disarmament and security, the declaration calls on all governments and inter-governmental organisations to parallel the development of non-violent methodologies of conflict resolution with the elimination of militarism and militarisation," a WCRP statement said, calling for conventional and nuclear disarmament.
Stating that the peoples of the world are interdependent "within a web of economic and environmental realities," the Amman Declaration affirmed the need for "just and sustainable development, and an equitable and fair system of production and distribution."
Noting that poverty and powerlessness still overwhelm the majority of the human family, the Amman Declaration reserved special attention to children.
"It reminded religious, political, and civil leaders of the special place of children in society, and their responsibility to assure the entitlement of children to achieve the fullness of life, including protecting them from preventable diseases, the ravages of war and violence, and all forms of victimisation and exploitation," the statement said.
The conference also urged religious communities throughout the world to engage society and use their social and moral resources to promote peace, conflict prevention and resolution.
"The WCRP is committed to the promotion of common living in the 21st century," WCRP Secretary General William Vendley told the closing ceremony.
"The Seventh World Assembly has identified a blueprint for action," Vendley said.
"We will work for the achievement of these common goals agreed upon in this multi-religious forum and endeavour to execute a comprehensive plan of education that involves the transmission of values and traditions of the world's great religions and faiths," he added.
The WCRP first convened in Kyoto, Japan, in 1970. It has individual or institutional membership in more than 100 countries, and enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, with UNESCO, and with UNICEF.