(Press Release)
“Unity in Diversity: Building Social Cohesion for Sustainable Peace through
Universal Aspirations, Principles and Values”
Kuala Lumpur, 21 October – Global Peace Festival (GPF) Malaysia and the Department are set to play host to the 5th Annual Global Peace Convention (GPC), happening from 5 to 8 December 2013 at the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is chosen to host this convention based on its multi-cultural diversity and inclusive values which is in-line with the convention’s theme this year. Four previous conventions were held in Atlanta, USA (2012); Seoul, Korea (2011); Nairobi, Kenya (2010) and Manila, Philippines (2009).
The Global Peace Convention (GPC) is the annual convening of the Global Peace Foundation, engaging leaders from the government, faith-based organizations and civil society to advance efforts for peace and development, inspired by universal principles and guided by shared values. It serves as a platform for the sharing of best practices and expertise, as well as developing innovative peace-building models. The convention is set to host 800 delegates from some 40 nations around the world.
With the theme “Unity in Diversity – Building Social Cohesion for Sustainable Peace through Universal Aspirations, Principles and Values”, the 2013 convention’s organising committee is co-chaired by Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail, Chairperson of the Global Peace Festival (GPF) Malaysia.
Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia will deliver Keynote Address at the Opening of the convention on 6th December 2013.
The convention will discuss, among others, issues such as interfaith collaborations, family and community strengthening, character and creativitiy in education and youth empowerment. There will also be two pre-convention symposium – Global Interfaith Forum and Global Summit of Character and Creativity on the 5th December 2013.
“This convention is timely for Malaysia. Besides an opportunity to showcase Malaysia’s unity in diversity, the convention is a good venue for us to learn best practices from other countries. The journey to lasting peace is full of challenges, but if we foster good character in our younger generation, I believe it is achievable one day” said Tan Sri Zaleha Ismail.
In addition, speaking on the this timely event, Tan Sri Joseph Kurup also commended that, “the peace and the unity we seek is not something that can be naturally created. It is created in our minds, blossoms in our hearts and build by our hands.”
Some of the speakers sharing their expertise at the Convention are H. E. Vinicio Cerezo, the former President of Guatemala and President of Esquipulas Foundation for Central America Integration; Dr. Manu Chandaria, a well-known Kenyan Philanthropist and Chairman and CEO of Comcraft Group; Michael Teoh Su Lim, National Youth Icon and a Malaysia Book of Records Holder; Bishop Dr. Sunday N. Onuoha, highly respected interfaith leader and the Founder and President of Vision of Africa; Prof. Dr. Said Aqil Siradj, leader of Indonesia’s largest independent Muslim organization and one of the world’s most influential Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama; Hon. Jose de Venecia Jr. ,the founding Chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties and five-term Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and many more.
Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, the Founder and Chair of Global Peace Foundation and Service for Peace International will also be delivering an address at the Opening Plenary. He has been at the forefront to promote an inclusive, interfaith vision of ‘One Family Under God’ around the world.
Also present at the launch are the convention’s strategic partners and sponsors – University of Malaya, Westport Holdings, and Malaysia Airlines.
GPF Malaysia cordially invites the Malaysian public to become peacemakers and be a part of the Global Peace Convention 2013. Those who are interested may contact us via 03 – 7805 4760 or log on to http://2013.globalpeaceconvention.org for more information.
News Links on GPC 2013 Soft Launch & Press Conference,
