Religions for Peace World Youth Assembly and VIII World Assembly
August 21-29, 2006
Hiroshima and Kyoto, Japan

Naomi Greenspan
Program Associate

World Youth Assembly

In late August 2006 three hundred young adults (ages 18-35) gathered in Hiroshima, Japan for the Religions for Peace Youth Assembly. Encompassing members of the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Shinto, Sikh, and Zoroastrian communities, the delegates to the Assembly came from all over the world: Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North America, and Latin America. I represented the Reform Jewish Movement at the Assembly, serving as a member of the North American delegation.

Focusing on the theme “Confronting Violence and Advancing Shared Security” through conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, we came together to develop regional and global strategies to mobilize religious youth, to connect with peers from different regions and religious communities, and to join the global movement of Religions for Peace. Through panel presentations led entirely by youth and smaller discussions in working groups, we identified the major challenges we face in confronting violence and advancing shared security, discussed the unique role of youth in addressing these concerns, and focused on the power of multi-religious cooperation in achieving our goals. The new International Youth Committee was also selected.

Nothing shaped the Youth Assembly more than its location in Hiroshima, Japan. Hearing from a survivor of the atomic bomb, I was inspired by his message of hope. Akihiro Takahashi was a schoolboy at the time of the bombing and has since suffered from many long-term health problems and physical deformities as a result of the bomb and its radiation. Rather than feeling hatred and anger for the pain inflicted on him, he has dedicated his life to telling his story so that such an atrocity will never happen again. He notes that “hatred never destroys hatred” and that even under the harshest of circumstances we must “open our hearts to others.” In the spirit, the Youth Assembly put forward the “Hiroshima Declaration: Religious Youth Choosing Hope and Taking Action” highlighting this message of hope and the actions we must take to make peace a reality. (I served as a member of the drafting committee responsible for creating this document along with representatives from each region and many religious backgrounds.)

In describing the Assembly, the Hiroshima Declaration reads, “We heard from those who bridge religious divides previously thought too wide, young leaders who use religious spaces and communities to build peace. We listened to stories of those who had succeeded in overcoming their hatred and urge for vengeance even after losing family and loved ones to violence. We were inspired by our peers, who remain dedicated to promoting dialogue and common action based on respect, understanding and equality, even after facing countless obstacles.” The Declaration further calls on religious youth to act: “The World Youth Assembly is a forum to do more than just talk and listen. We are committed to developing a sustainable action plan in each of our regional networks and on a global level… We draw on the spiritual assets of our religious traditions an on one another for the strength to continue our work.” The Hiroshima Declaration then proceeds to list specific goals and calls to action.

Several important themes arose from the panels and discussions at the Youth Assembly, most of which are outlined in the Hiroshima Declaration. Foremost, is the persistence of violence in its many forms. As Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, noted in his address, “Here, together, we will discern major forms of violence that afflict our human family: war, poverty, and the destruction of the earth. We need to confront this violence together as a global multi-religious alliance.” Violence is seen in both conventional violence, such as warfare, as well as social injustices, such as global poverty, the spread of disease, and environmental degradation. It also includes verbal attacks and discriminatory practices, human rights violations, and all kind of street and territorial conflicts. As youth, we expressed our concern about how these challenges erode our shared security. We discussed the need to combat these issues through increased knowledge and awareness and greater respect and dignity of the other. The misuse of religion for such acts of violence was also recognized and condemned. The media was identified as having an important role in combating religious stereotypes and discrimination. Additionally, we emphasized the need to work within existing structures in order to achieve a lasting impact as well as the unique perspective we can bring as young adults to strengthen these institutions.

During the panel session focusing on sustainable development in confronting violence and advancing shared security I served as a panelist representing a North American and Jewish voice. I spoke about my sense of obligation as a Jew, an American, and a young adult to work to on such issues as poverty, HIV/AIDS, and environmental degradation. I also highlighted the power of multi-religious cooperation in telling about my experience at the Reform Movement’s Jacob’s Ladder project in Utica, Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. In serving on this panel, I believe I brought a new perspective to many of the delegates present some of whom had never previously met a Jew and learned of the values we hold.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Assembly was the personal relationships that I built with members of different faith communities and regions of the world. I had the opportunity to work closely with individuals from all different religious communities from places such as Singapore, Lebanon, Rwanda, Poland, and Venezuela. In listening to people’s stories and hearing their perspective on the world, I came to a greater understanding of the role that we must play as Americans in creating a more peaceful and just world. We were able to discuss topics ranging from Middle East politics to our personal religious journeys. We bonded over the experiences of trying new Japanese foods, learning to make traditional Japanese origami cranes, and an evening of singing and dancing to karaoke. The friendships that I formed are something that I will always carry with me; these relationships are the foundation for true interreligious cooperation.

The Youth Assembly, along with the regional preparatory meetings that took place in the months leading up to the Assembly, served as a catalyst to create global and regional networks of religious youth working towards peace. Following the Assembly, the newly created networks will begin to develop sustainable action plans in each of their regions as well as on a global level. The North American Young Adult Network (NAYAN) is currently in the beginning stages of forming its structure and action plan. I will be serving as the co-chair of the Network along with Ipninder Singh, a representative of the World Sikh Council from Chicago, IL. (This is a great opportunity to involve Reform Jewish young adults in the work of Religions for Peace; for more information contact naiyn@rfpusa.org.)

VIII World Assembly

From Hiroshima I traveled on to Kyoto, joining over 800 senior and grassroots religious leaders from across the world gathered together for the Religions for Peace VIII World Assembly. Included in the delegates attending the World Assembly were representatives from the Youth Assembly (August 21-25 in Hiroshima) and the Women’s Assembly (August 24-25 in Kyoto).

The World Assembly consisted of plenary sessions, commission meetings, networking sessions, and skills building workshops. Presentations were made by senior-level religious leaders, such as Chief Rabbi David Rosen, and governmental representatives, such as HRH Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal, as well as others experts in conflict transformation, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Delegates had the opportunity to set the programmatic priorities of Religions for Peace for the coming five years and to gain hands-on skills to advance their work. The World Assembly delegates also selected a new international leadership to its World Council and drafted the Kyoto Declaration , summarizing the current challenges we face as religious communities concerned with confronting violence and advancing shared security. Mrs. Judith M. Hertz, co-chair of the Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism, was selected as a member of the World Council. She played an active role throughout the Assembly representing the Reform Jewish movement in various capacities.

The Kyoto Declaration described the current state of affairs in which we live and also suggested a solution: “Today, we live in a world in the grip of many forms of violence, both direct and structural. Violent conflicts – within states and across borders, carried out by both state and non-state actors – take lives and destroy communities. They cause more civilian than military casualties and their disproportionate impact is on vulnerable populations… The diverse and interconnected threats currently experienced by innumerable members of the human family call for a much broader understanding of violence in the world. The world’s religious communities must play a central role partnering with one another and all sectors of society, to prevent war, expose injustice, combat poverty, and protect the earth. The time to do this is now; and our key to confronting violence is cooperation based on mutual respect and acceptance.”

Highlights from the Assembly sessions follow:

“Let’s be honest with one another. In this room, we can be honest. Our religions, all of them, are always, are perpetually, vulnerable to being hijacked. I am not speaking of any one religion at any one time, but of all religions across time. Today, our religions are being hijacked by religious extremists, hijacked by unscrupulous politicians, hijacked by the sensationalist media.” – Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace

“In order to be saved from the current disturbing condition, the world is in need of a new kind of struggle. The heroes of this new struggle are the believers who respect human dignity, and the intellectuals, thinkers and artists who seek dignity, security and progress for all.” – Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran

“Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has steadfastly maintained the policy of not becoming a military power regardless of its status as an economic power, and of solving all problems peacefully and without resorting to the use of force, back by a firm resolve never again to wage war. As a responsible member of the international community, Japan is determined to continue making contributions to the peace and prosperity of the world.” - Junichiro Koizumi, Prime Minister of Japan

“Human beings create war and violence. Some conscientious people argued that cause of such destruction also lies in religion itself in one way or another. But as a result of their continued efforts, the ideals of [Religions for Peace] are gaining appreciation globally. By deepening our understanding of one another through interfaith dialogue, we are working toward the attainment of world peace. In today’s society, I believe that the commitment to peace is not only an issue of great significance, but also the responsibility of religious people.” - Eshin Watanabe, Supreme Abbot of Tendai Buddhism

“The most important thing to build at the end of conflict is not road, not hospitals – but trust.” – Dr. Andrew Mack, Director of the Human Security Center in Canada

“Now, more than ever, we must remember that peace is not just the absence of violence; it is the active creation of trust, recognition and empathy… security involves not just military containment, but positive action to win hearts and minds. It’s most effective form is a preventive one that tackles root causes by helping the poor, the alienated and the marginalized to realize their human ambitions… Our faiths command us not to sit idly by amid mounting hostility and mistrust, but to make a substantial contribution to peacebuilding in a polarized world… Our role must be to mobilize the moral majority to promote a middle way that is not only ethically right but strategically prudent. – HRH Prince El-Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan, Past Moderator of Religions for Peace

“When religion is seen as part of the problem, politicians stay away from it in peacebuilding. But this is ignoring the problem…No political process will succeed without the support of religious communities…Too often, politicians are the only ones brokering solutions… The answer is not to make religious leaders politicians, but to make religious communities part and parcel of any peacebuilding efforts.” – Chief Rabbi David Rosen, American Jewish Committee International Director of Interreligious Relations

“Guided by the deepest principles of my own religious tradition, and respectful of religious differences, I commit myself to multi-religious cooperation for what is good. I will work as a partner with believers of other religions on matters of deeply shared moral concerns, such as stopping wars, helping the poor and protecting our earth.” – Shared Commitment, read aloud by World Assembly delegates during the Opening Session

As with the World Youth Assembly, the VIII World Assembly provided an incredible opportunity to come together with people of faiths from across the world. In addition to the thought provoking exchanges during the formal presentations and panel sessions, much dialogue was able to happen on a more personal level. People living in regions where dialogue is not possible were able to come together to share their hopes and fears. Religious leaders from regions of conflict were able to focus on their shared commitment to creating a more peaceful society. Participants from different religions were able to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of one another’s traditions through respectful conversation and dialogue. The power of these personal encounters in changing people’s perceptions of one another was astounding. Through the experiences at the World Assembly, I was able to gain a deeper respect for other’s religious, cultural, and even political perspectives.

Union for Reform Judaism		North American Federation of Temple Brotherhoods		Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion		Central Conference of American Rabbis		Women of Reform Judaism