Multi Track Council

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INAUGURATION OF THE IPCGE MULTI TRACK COUNCIL for the SDG's and A CULTURE OF PEACE
Conference Room 11 September 14, 2016
UN Headquarters
Concept Note
The inauguration of the Parliamentary Initiative Multi Track Council for a Culture of Peace follows the launching of the High Level Panel: The Role of Parliaments for Building Peaceful and Inclusive Societies and Combating Violent Extremism which was held in the context of the 10th anniversary of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, adoption of the SG’s Plan of Action to Combat Violent Extremism and the High Level Political Forum. The High Level Panel, held on July 21, in partnership with UNESCO, hosted by the mission of Italy to the United Nations, with the participation of H.E. Ambassador Kiarat Abdrakhmanov, Permanent Representative of Kazahstan to the U.N. highlighted the important contribution of the development of a culture of peace and the need for a partnership between parliamentarians and the UN to work jointly for preventing the unprecedented rise of violent extremism. In this light, the IPCGE has been promoting national legislation for mandatory education on the culture of peace and strict measures to prevent incitement for terrorism and violent extremism in accordance with the relevant UN General Assembly resolutions. The role of legislators is crucial in this endeavor. So far the UN resolutions on the culture of peace have not yet been fully inscribed into national law in UN member states. The high level panel empowers legislators of UN member states to initiate legislation in their respective parliaments to fill this lacuna in support of the UNESCO mandate on the culture of peace. A summit of legislators at U.N. headquarters is planned to further promote this crucial endeavor.
In an effort to assure implementation of the required national legislation, The IPCGE initiative envisages the further strengthening of a multi- track diplomacy partnership to engage religious, academic, and media leaders to fulfill their respective roles to execute the proposed legislation with the support of the United Nations institutions as envisaged in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Plan of Action to Prevent Radical Violence. Towards this goal, IPCGE in partnership with the American Association of Central Asian and Caucasian Countries Religions in Dialogue is launching the Multi Track Council (MTC) for the Culture of Peace, also known as the Levant Initiative for Global Peace as endorsed by Council of Europe Members of Parliament and the Parliament of Romania (see attached documents). The MTC, comprised of religious, education, youth and media leaders will strive to support the required legislation and its execution in their respective professions and societies in coordination with national and international entities.
CHAIRMAN
1:15-1:30
PRESIDENT EMIL CONSTANTINESCU
The Levant Initiative for Global Peace as the Foundation for the
IPCGE Multi Track Council for the SDG's and the Culture of Peace
UNESCO BRIEFING: Mrs. Lily Valchanova
Liaison Officer, Culture of Peace
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Ambassador Ion Jinga
Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations, Ambassador Katalin Bogyay
Permanent Representative of Hungary to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi
Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations
Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal Ambassador
Permanent Representative of the Isla
mic Republic of Afghanistan to the U.N.
Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations
Session I
1:30 – 2:15
EDUCATION FOR A CULTURE OF PEACE
Keynote Address: Mr. Garry Jacobs
CEO of the World Academy of Art & Science; Chairman of the Board and CEO of the World University Consortium; Managing Editor of Cadmus Journal; Vice-President of The Mother’s Service Society; Distinguished Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at the Person-Centered Approach Institute, Italy; Executive Director of the International Center for Peace and Development in Napa, California; and a full member of the Club of Rome
MEDIA AND THE CULTURE OF PEACE
Keynote Address: Master Jun Hong Lu
Chairman and Director of Australia Oriental Media Buddhist Charity Association registered with the United Nations Global Compact, President of community groups in the Australian Chinese communities, as well as the Vice President of the Australia Chinese People China Peaceful Reunification Association (CCPPA)..Master Lu cofounded the global Chinese broadcasting China Network Television (CNTV). He has had a long-term collaborative relationship with ABC Radio, Xinhua News, China Radio International, and China National Radio. Master Lu also served as the Director for China Network Television (CNTV): Director of the Australian Chinese Buddhist Research Centre
Panelists
  • Imam Agha Jafri, Founder, American Muslim Congress
  • Dr. Wafik Moustafa, Chairman, Muslim Conservative Network UK
  • Mayor Martin Oliner - Mayor, city of Lawrence, LI, member of the Executive Board of Touro College, founder of the San Francisco School of Osteopathic Medicine, director of the New York School of Podiatry, founder and President Globe Institute of Technology
The Role of Youth and NGO's
Keynote Speaker: MR. GIANNI PICCO
The Role of the Individual in the International Arena
former Under Sec. General of the U.N. /Consultant and Adviser to the Oxford Research Group
Dr. Lahoucine Khabid, President, Atlas Center for Diplomacy
Named: Youth Leader of the Future
Mr. Z.H Khurram
Secretary General, International Youth Forum
Session II – 2:15
The Role of Religious Leaders
Keynote Speaker: Rabbi Elie Abadie
Chief Rabbi, Safra Synagogue, Director of the Jacob E. Safra Institute of Sephardic Studies, at Yeshiva University and is a scholar and college teacher of Sephardic Judaism, history, philosophy, and comparative traditional law.Rabbi Abadie received the Orden Del Merito Civil, the highest civil decoration by His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain. Rabbi Abadie follows in the footsteps of the greatest Jewish scholar and philosopher Moses Maimonides, as he is both a rabbi and a physician. Rabbi Abadie maintains a practice in Gastroenterology (Also Representing the European Council of Religious Leaders).
Panel
  • Dr. Boris Pincus, President, Religions in Dialogue
  • Rabbi Yaakov David Cohen, Founder Institute for Noahide Code
  • Rev. Simpson Turner –FDNY Chaplain, currently serves as the pastor of the Parish of Mount Carmel Baptist Church. Former chaplain for the New York City Department of Corrections and Sheriff's Office
2:30 – Open Floor Discussion
2:45 –Vote of Thanks and Conclusion
6:30 pm – Dinner Hosted by Master Jun Hong Lu
MOBILIZING CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS ETHICS TO PROMOTE THE U.N. POST 2015 DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The U.N. post 2015 development goals encompass ethics inherent in many cultures and religions on issues of social and environmental justice.
The Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics is launching a major initiative to create a global steering committee of religious leaders and cultural representatives to lead the efforts to harness cultural and religious ethics to promote these goals.

The ‘United Nations’ Headquarters faces the Isaiah Wall inscribed across from the main building. The quote from the prophet Isaiah was chosen as the founding motto for the world’s foremost organization for international peace. In his eternal thought, the day is mentioned when no nation will wage war against another nation, and when swords - the instruments of war - will be transformed into plowshares - the instruments for providing man’s sustenance. The Seven Universal Laws of Noah which are cited by the philosopher Hugo Grotius as the foundation for international law (the basis for the United Nations Charter) are the practical means, by which humanity can strive to live in unity and peace and can fulfill its potential to see all the families of the earth blessed. These laws for peace and unity encompass respect for G-d, for human life, respect for the Family, for other people's property, for the creation, respect for the judicial systems, and respect for all creatures and the environment.

Leaders in the fields of culture and religion are invited to share their insight and wisdom with the leading UN officials to assure that the vision of the United Nations, to have a peaceful and civilized world in which economic justice and righteousness prevail, can be fulfilled. The goal of this summit is to develop a coalition of religious and cultural leaders to work with the UN to implement the development goals towards a culture of peace and prosperity.

  • GOAL 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  • GOAL 2 End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • GOAL 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  • GOAL 4 Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
  • GOAL 5 Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  • GOAL 6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  • GOAL 7 Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
  • GOAL 8 Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • GOAL 9 Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization andfoster innovation
  • GOAL 10 Reduce inequality within and among countries
  • GOAL 11 Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  • GOAL 12 Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • GOAL 13 Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*
  • GOAL 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  • GOAL 15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation andhalt biodiversity loss
  • GOAL 16 Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provideaccess to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  • GOAL 17 Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development