The First Time for Dialogue in Taiwan Among Peace-Loving People from Around the World

The 2001 World Citizens Assembly brought forth the Peace Declaration, which was viewed as the climax of the peace ebent. It was signed by designated officers on befalf of the 400 delegates from more than 50 countries who participated in the Assembly. Before the Assembly had fully disbanded, the Declaration was already on its way to the Secretar-General of the United Nations and the working group began to implement the tasks which they had taken upon themselves to carry out.

Abolish War Campaign

The first workshop or session was devoted to our efforts in creating an abolish-war campaign. The preamble of UNESCO said it well when it stated: Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed. We can still create a new generation that is fully capable of waging peace instead of war.

We may illustrate what has just been stated by examples. When we try to organize demonstrations against war, against nuclear weapons and against the militarization of space, we are simply concentration on the evil effect of these malignant items. We certainly do a good job in that we allow people to become aware of problems which are a threat to their very own survival. We may succeed, as a result, to slow down the manufacture of such lethal items, but we will not bring them to a complete halt.

We need to start preparing a new generation entrenched in a culture of peace so that when the time arrives for such generation to take over the reign of government, the promotion of disarmament and development of the human resources will be put into operation with the speed of light. The Abolish War Campaign is of particular urgency, In the US's race to take over space so as to be able to control other Nations from outer space using lasers and other missiles of great accuracy against which no other nation can protect themselves. An extensive Abolish War Campaign will be launched this summer in the U.S. by the Association of World Citizens. This workshop was chaired by Douglas Mattern.

Globalization

The second workshop has concentrated on globalization. In the year 42 A.D., roman philosopher Seneca made the following statement: World peace will become a tangible reality only after we teach every single child to grow up viewing the world saying: "Omnis orbs terrarum, partia mea est - the whole world is my native land."

During the second half of the 20th century, scientific developments have brought the world closer together than ever before. In fact, today we have began to measure things in terms of time, rather than in terms of distance. The world has shrunk to become virtually on global unit, one earthly community. The artificial boundaries, which were created over the centuries that put people apart, do not seem to make sense any longer.

Adecent human being who is capable of being beneficial to all people nowadays has become the most admired on earth as revealed in Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Francis of Assisi, Jesus of Nazareth, Confucius and Siddartha Gautama, among numerous others that appeared from time to time throughout the centuries.

The urge for globalization which we are experiencing today is calling for more statesmen and less politicians in government. A statesman is described as a person who takes interest in the universal welfare of all people without exception. On the other hand, a politician is described as one who takes interest in the welfare of one group of people to the exclusion of the welfare of other groups of people.

When President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea won the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 2000, it was pointed out that he was pointed out that he was a real statesman who sought the welfare not only of South Koreans but of North Koreans as well.

United Nations and Civil Society

The third workshop or session concentrated on the United Nations and Civil Society. The establishment of the United Nations in 1945 was a gigantic step forward toward the achievement of a permanent peace. When World War II was over in 1945, Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain said: Unless we establish some from of world government, it will not be possible for us to avert a World War II in the future.

In spite of the fact that the United Nations did not succeed, so far, to procure the world with a permanent world peace, the fact that nations are provided with the opportunity to sit down and reason together relative to events of mutual interest is already a great achievement as far as world peace is concerned.

Dialogue is essential in the formation and diffusion of a culture of peace. We have seen from several centuries of recorded history that when nations resorted to the military for any solution they wanted, there was always a culture of war that was involved. While the culture of war is built on revenge and hatred, the culture of peace is built on compassion and love.

The participants in this workshop produced a well-thought through series of actions, focusing on the empowerment of civil society, especially NGOs.

Action One:
To create a definition of world citizenship, based on the input of all world citizens attending the AWC, world citizens groups worldwide, and the work done by organizations which acknowledge the importance of world citizenship.

Action Two:
To introduce this concept to Governments at the United Nations, making use of the World Citizens Manual, which will be made available by Email upon request bo anyone wishing to participate.

Action Three:
The creation of World Citizens Group worldwide, using the World Citizens Manual.

Action Four:
Gathering Signatures for the Declaration For All Life, which show humanity as the stewards of a living Earth, and show our world citizenship in its broadest context.

Action Five:
Supporting the work of FOWPAL.

Action Six:
An Interfaith Conference to be held in Bangladesh in 2005.

World Summit of Love and Peace

The theme of this workshop is "Using Spirituality and Technology to Build a Peaceful Century." The 21st century is on of high-tech in which a "culture of spirituality" emphasized by leaders of all countries will determine the future destiny humanity. Advanced technology has brought to human life conveniences unheard of in the past. Transportation and communications technology change for the better every day. This seems to shorten the distance between us; however, his acturally doesn't gring us closer together spiritually. The chaos caused by the new replacing the old is the test that human society is facing. The purpose of technological development is to pursue the greatest well-being of humanity.

Spirituality is the impetus to human thinking, which generates actions in economics and culture. Thus, the power of spirituality enables human beings to become the wisest of all creatures. It is also the source of creativity. A healthy spirit helps humanity live in a stable state. Whatever the conditions will be, spirituality will decide if human being will manage the conflict between us and nature.

Spirituality has no limitations. As a member of the global village and as a world citizen, we must learn to honestly face our own deeds. In correcting our hearts that have been contaminated, our hearts will return to naturalness. The theme is to serve as a reminder to all people the importance of advancing technology while lifting the level of spirituality. It is only by using spirituality and technology that genuine hearts will lead humanity to create an even more beautiful future.

Program: World Citizens Forum
Date: March 31, 2001 - April 2, 2001
Venue:Taipei International Convention Center
Organizer: Association of World Citizens
Host Committee: AWC Taiwan and Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy
Co-Sponsor: Federation of World Peace and Love