Religions for Peace
Encyclopedia
Religions for Peace, full name World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) is a large international coalition of representatives from the world’s religions dedicated to promoting peace founded in 1970.
International Secretariat headquarters is in New York City
, with Regional Conferences in Europe and Asia, and more than 75 affiliates at the national level, and a number of local units. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC), with UNESCO
and with UNICEF. Dr. William F Vendley
is its Secretary General.
This non-governmental organization (NGO) serves on all continents representing over 70 countries; it networks with World Council of senior religious leaders while respecting religious differences, common humanity and the influence of peace within every religion. This organization has created multi-religious partnerships to confront most dire issues such as stopping war, ending poverty and protecting the earth.
Religions for Peace was founded in 1970 and supported by various foundations, governments, intergovernmental organizations, religious communities, religiously-affiliated development agencies and individuals.
Its priority is to engage religious communities on the national and regional levels: the International Secretariat in New York, Regional Conferences in Europe and Asia, more than 75 affiliates at the national level, and a number of local units. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations
, with UNESCO
, and with UNICEF.
, Japan
, on 16–21 October 1970, the second World Assembly was held in Leuven
, Belgium
in 1974, the third in Princeton, New Jersey
, United States
, the fourth in Nairobi
, Kenya
in 1984, the fifth in Melbourne
, Australia
in 1989, the sixth in Riva del Garda
, Italy
in 1994, the seventh in Amman
, Jordan
in 1999 and eighth World Assembly in Kyoto, Japan in 2006.
International Secretariat headquarters is in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, with Regional Conferences in Europe and Asia, and more than 75 affiliates at the national level, and a number of local units. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council
United Nations Economic and Social Council
The Economic and Social Council of the United Nations constitutes one of the six principal organs of the United Nations and it is responsible for the coordination of the economic, social and related work of 14 UN specialized agencies, its functional commissions and five regional commissions...
(ECOSOC), with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
and with UNICEF. Dr. William F Vendley
Dr. William F Vendley
Dr. William Fray Vendley is the Secretary General of the World Conference for Religions of Peace . He is a member of its World Council and coordinates the activities and projects of WCRP's Inter-religious Councils in 70 countries and in five regions, including the Africa, Asia Europe, Latin...
is its Secretary General.
This non-governmental organization (NGO) serves on all continents representing over 70 countries; it networks with World Council of senior religious leaders while respecting religious differences, common humanity and the influence of peace within every religion. This organization has created multi-religious partnerships to confront most dire issues such as stopping war, ending poverty and protecting the earth.
Religions for Peace was founded in 1970 and supported by various foundations, governments, intergovernmental organizations, religious communities, religiously-affiliated development agencies and individuals.
History
Religions for Peace convened for the first time in Kyoto, Japan, on 16–21 October 1970. However, the origins of Religions for Peace date to 1961, when a handful of senior leaders from the world's major faith traditions began exploring the possibilities for organizing a "religious summit" to address the need for believers around the world to take action toward achieving peace.Its priority is to engage religious communities on the national and regional levels: the International Secretariat in New York, Regional Conferences in Europe and Asia, more than 75 affiliates at the national level, and a number of local units. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, with UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, and with UNICEF.
World Assemblies
The first World Conference was convened in KyotoKyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, on 16–21 October 1970, the second World Assembly was held in Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
in 1974, the third in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the fourth in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
in 1984, the fifth in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1989, the sixth in Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda
Riva del Garda is a town and comune in the northern Italian province of Trentino. It is also known simply as Riva. The estimated population is 15,151.- History :...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1994, the seventh in Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
in 1999 and eighth World Assembly in Kyoto, Japan in 2006.