Why a World Peace Forum?

We live in a world without peace. Our world is disfigured by ignorance, prejudice, violence, hunger, disease and environmental crises.

In the words of the Earth Charter:

"We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future…to move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and culture of peace."

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What is the background behind the Peace Forum?

On October 5, 2002 an international conference of World Peace and the Message of Mahatma Gandhi took place in Vienna, Austria with 2,000 participants attending from 40 countries, including Ambassadors from 25 countries. It was an impressive 10-hour long event held to promote world peace through understanding, respect and tolerance between religions, cultures and nations.

The conference focused on human rights, ethics and human values as the most valuable assets for world peace and sustainable development.

More details on the Vienna conference can be found at:
http://www.yoga-in-daily-life.org

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Representatives of different faiths join hands at the International Conference in Vienna

What is the mission for the World Peace Forum?

We must recognise the interconnectedness between the world of humans and the world of nature. Unless we care for the Earth and one another, we risk, in the words of the Earth Charter, "the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life".

- Resolution from International Peace Conference Vienna 2002

• The World Peace Forum 2003 meets under the values of 'The Earth Charter Initiative' and the peace philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
  
  
• The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century.
  
  
• The Earth charter is based on the following core principles:
  
  

  Respect and care for the community of Life Ecological Integrity Social & Economic Justice Democracy, non-violence, and Peace

  The Earth Charter calls us to search for common ground in the midst of our diversity and to embrace a new ethical vision

  
  
• Identical to the values of the Earth Charter is Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence, respect and peace. Gandhi's message challenges our personal lifestyle, our capacity to share community, our sense of a common humanity, and our responsibility towards Nature.
  
  
• For world peace to be possible we must acknowledge unity in diversity. And foster multi-sectoral, cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue on world peace.
  
  
• Social, humanitarian, environmental & spiritual leaders will gather at this Forum to recognise our interconnectedness despite our differences in religion & culture. For dialogue is not a luxury; it is essential to achieve the goal of enduring peace - peace between individuals, peace between communities and peace between different religions.

Therefore, the overall mission of the 'World Peace Forum 2003' is to gather support for such collaborative peace work and to widely spread the message of world peace.

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What are the aims and objectives of the Peace Forum?

• To recognise the role of ethics and spirituality in protecting our Living Earth.
  
  
• To consciously foster tolerance, respect & understanding for religions, cultures, nations.
  
  
• To reclaim from the different spiritual and religious traditions the virtues of compassion, understanding and sharing.
  
  
• To provide individuals with not just inspiration and an invitation to reflect on world peace but also practical ideas and vehicles to 'Be the change you want to see.'
  

Specific outcomes from the Forum will be:

• A Resolution of Solidarity for Unity between the different humanitarian, environmental, spiritual and social service communities which will be taken to Canberra as a strong statement of solidarity, and as a unified voice on the direction for Positive Change.
  
  
• The endorsement of The Earth Charter by communities, governments, individuals & institutions as a Universal Code of Conduct. "We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace."
  
  
• The 2003 World Peace Forum Petition to be taken to the Australian Federal Government with the vote from the participants of the Forum on Australian peace-related issues.