Building World Peace: The Role Of Religions and Human Rights Conference October 19, 2006

The World is Coming to Edmonton, Alberta,
to Begin “Building World Peace”

Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights
International Conference
October 20 – 22, 2006
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Violent acts are shattering the lives of innocent people around the world and every time we turn on the news, we see that more and more civilians are killed in the name of religious beliefs, political agendas, or outright hate and intolerance. On October 20-22, begin taking steps towards learning about one another, appreciating our differences, and making this life better for everyone.

The Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights International Conference will encourage dialogue by building upon the peaceful messages of religious teachings and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Join us in challenging our diverse communities to unite against violence and create a new global consciousness. We currently have delegates coming from over 12 countries around the world from various backgrounds to participate – don’t miss this unique opportunity!

Registration Fees:
General $350
Youth $125
Friday Night Keynote featuring James Loney and Rev. Bruce Miller $25
Saturday Night Banquet featuring General John de Chastelain $100

To find out more, please visit buildingworldpeace.com , or phone us at 780-453-2638.
“It is the right conference because it is time to put a spotlight on helping religions understand the important role they must play in countering the violence which has become a hallmark of the modern world.” Honourable Douglas Roche O.C., Conference Chairman .

Some confirmed Speakers include:

Imam Tamir Abu As-Su’ood Ali is a religious leader in Edmonton’s Muslim community and a leader at the Masjid Al-Rashid, which is the oldest Masjid in North America and home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the country.

Senator Roméo Dallaire is a retired Canadian General who served in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. His internationally-recognized book Shake Hands With the Devil - The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda was awarded the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction in 2004. Senator Dallaire is currently a Fellow at the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, special advisor to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) on matters relating to war affected children around the world, and to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on the non-proliferation of small arms.
General John de Chastelain (Ret.) is a retired Canadian General who has served Canada as Deputy Commander of the Canadian Army, Chief of Defense Staff, led Canadian Forces during the first Gulf War, and was Canada’s Ambassador to the United States. Most recently, General de Chastelain has been over-seeing the decommissioning of the arms of the Irish Republican Army.

James Loney is a member of the Christian Peacemakers Team abducted and held in Iraq for 4 months this past year. His ordeal began when, while he was undertaking humanitarian efforts in Iraq, he and three other member of his Team were abducted and imprisoned by Iraqi militias. His release was eventually facilitated by Canadian and British forces and since then, Loney has continued the important work of his peace organization.

Acharya Shivshankar Dwivedi is a spiritual leader and priest at the Hindu Society of Alberta and has been invited all over North America to conduct discourse on various religious and cultural topics. He is a recipient of the Distinguished Community Service Award presented by the National Indo Canadian Council.

Senator Mobina Jaffer is a Canadian Senator with an extensive record of achievement in the areas of equality and justice for women of colour and the struggle to end violence against all women. Senator Jaffer has served as the Special Envoy to the Peace Process in Sudan, Chair of the Canadian Committee on Women Peace & Security Senator in 2002. Born in Uganda, she was appointed to the Senate in 2001 as the first East Indian Muslim woman.

Dr. Thupten Jinpa Langri is a principal English translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and author of several books exploring human ethics and spirituality. Mr. Langri teaches as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Religious Studies at McGill University, Montreal. He is also currently the president of the Institute of Tibetan Classics.

Federico Mayor Zaragoza is the former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Recognized as an “Illustrious Guest of Quito” in 1998, his extensive work has been recognized by other awards and honors, including, the Khalil Gibran “Spirit of Humanity” award (November 1999). Professor Mayor is currently co-chairing the “Alliance of Civilizations” and is currently the President of the Foundation for a Culture of Peace.

Chief Ovide Mercredi is recognized as an outspoken Canadian Aboriginal politician and peace activist, involved in solving social crises here in Canada as well as in Mexico. Chief Mercredi had specialized in constitutional law and became a key strategist for the assembly during the time of the Meech Lake Accord Constitutional Reform discussions. In 1991, Chief Mercredi was elected national chief for the Assembly of First Nations and served as national Chief until 1997. Chief Mercredi is an advocate of non-violent methods for change and has been nominated by the Government of India for the Gandhi Peace Prize.

Haroon Siddiqui is Editor Emeritus of the Toronto Star who has reported on various critical events such as the Iran-Iraq War and current situations throughout the Middle East. Mr. Siddiqui has been awarded the Order of Canada for his journalistic contributions and for his voluntary work in helping to forge the new Canadian identity.

The Very Rev. the Honourable Lois Wilson is a pioneer in the area of religion and human rights through her role as the first Canadian President of the World Council of Churches and first woman President of the Canadian Council of Churches.

Official Website: http://www.buildingworldpeace.com