Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities Initiative- Gathering Stories (2)

Ven. Bhikku Sanghasena:  Planting seeds of hope in the desert land of LadakhPart – 2 The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), established by Ven. Bhikku Sanghasena in Ladakh has not lost sight of the primary goal of introducing Ladakhis to both the theory and practice of the Buddha’s teachings. In fact, the Dhamma or teachings is the foundation of the entire organization. Apart from all the humanitarian work undertaken by MIMC, Ven. Sanghasena also works in Nunneries where nuns and monks are given basic monastic spiritual training along with modern secular education.Ven. Sanghasena recognized the need to improve the status and impoverished living conditions of nuns in order to restore their Read more about Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities Initiative- Gathering Stories (2)[…]

Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities Initiative- Gathering Stories (1)

Ven. Bhikku Sanghasena:  Planting seeds of hope in the desert land of LadakhPart – IVenerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, is a renowned religious leader of the Theravada Buddhist tradition and an esteemed member of Religions for Peace, India. He has been working relentlessly in the Himalayan mountainous region of Ladakh for the moral and spiritual development of the people residing in that area.In 1986, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena founded the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) which is 12 km from Leh city, nestled at an altitude of 3,500 meters (11,482.94 feet) above sea level, deep within the mighty Himalayan Mountains in Ladakh.  This region is a cold desert and its arid terrain experiences Read more about Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities Initiative- Gathering Stories (1)[…]

Ms. Minako Idei

Ms. Minako Idei (Japan, Buddhist)Ms.Minako Idei spent her school years in Hawaii, USA. She became interested in cross-cultural understanding and religious dialogue through the influence of friends she met there.After graduating from high school, she returned to Japan and graduated from university in three and a half years with a degree in English Language and Culture. In 2009, she started working for a Japanese travel agency.Since 2014, she has been working at Rissho Kosei-kai, and her first department to be assigned was Kosei Gakuen Girls’ High School, founded by Founder Nikkyou Niwano.From 2014 to 2019, Kosei Gakuen Girls High School was certified as a “Super Global High School” by the Read more about Ms. Minako Idei[…]

Mr. Tatsuya Yoshida

Mr. Tatsuya Yoshida (Japan, Buddhist)Mr. Tatsuya Yoshida studied linguistics at university and then went to Rissho Kosei-kai Gakurin Seminary.In 2006, he was seconded to WCRP Japan Committee.For the next seven years, he worked as a youth missionary, promoting Buddhist values education and activities for youth in urban and rural areas, as well as peace workshops in Japan and youth exchange between Japan and the Philippines.From 2015-2017, he interacted with grant-making foundations and national and international NGOs as a activity grant maker for the Niwano Peace Foundation. He then worked in the General Affairs Group of Rissho Kosei-kai before joining the ACRP Secretariat in 2019 as an accounting officer.Hobbies include mountain Read more about Mr. Tatsuya Yoshida[…]

Ms. Huma Ikramullah

Ms. Huma Ikramullah (Pakistan, Muslim)Ms. Huma Ikramullah is Associate Secretary General Religions for Peace Asia and Secretary-General of Religions for Peace Pakistan is an expert on Democracy, Governance, the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Parliamentary Strengthening, Master Trainer on Legislative Drafting, Climate Change/Environmental law, Adult learning ,Media Trainer, Advocate High Court , Lead Auditor, Faculty Member Sindh Judicial Academy and her work experience spans over 20 years of working with international donors and Government Organizations like GIZ, USAID, ADB, US Embassy, ILO, IUCN, Sindh Judicial Academy, NIPA, Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Affairs with experience of imparting training to Parliamentarians, Judges, Government officials, Civil society organizations, lawyers, law students, academia and Read more about Ms. Huma Ikramullah[…]

Dr. Susan Ennis

Dr. Susan Ennis (Australia, Protestant)For more than 40 years Susan Ennis has coordinated/taught English to newly arrived adult refugees/immigrants in Australia. She has also been involved in both a voluntary/paid capacity with the settlement of these groups and asylum seekers. In addition, she has taught English as a Second Language in Turkey, PRC, Cambodia and worked in Israel. In 2012 she obtained her PhD and later Palgrave published her book on Religion, Spirituality and the Refugee Experience based on her PhD. The motivation for her research and book were her long-held interest in religious/spiritual matters, her observations on the need for more understanding of refugees’ religious and/or spiritual experiences and Read more about Dr. Susan Ennis[…]

Dr. Pablito A.Baybado, Jr

Dr. Pablito A.Baybado, Jr (Philippines, Roman Catholic)Dr. Pablito A.Baybado, Jr is a lecturere at the Institute of Religions, Program Lead for the Graduate School Technology program, and researcher at the Center for Technology, Religious Students and Ethics of the University of Santo Tomas. He is Secretary-General of Religions for Peace Philippines, and the Associate Secretary-General of Religions for Peace Aisa, and the Coordinator of the Uni Harmony Partners manila.

Rev. Taesung Kim

Rev. Taesung Kim (South Korea, Won-Buddhist)Education1991: B.A., Won-Buddhism Studies, Wonkwang University, Korea2002: M.A., International Studies, Choong Ang University2005: Completed Ph. D Program, International Studies, Choong Ang University Career1992: Ordained as Reverend, Won-Buddhism1993: Reverend, Department of International Affairs, Headquarters of Won-Buddhism 2001: Vice Secretary-General, Korean Conference of Religions for Peace 2002: Vice Secretary-General, Asian Conference of Religions for Peace2014: Director, Seoul Peace Education Center2017: Acting Secretary-General, Korean Conference of Religions for Peace2018: Secretary-General, Korean Conference of Religions for Peace2021: Deputy Secretary-General of Religions for Peace Asia

A Whole of Society Approach: Religious Actors as Driver of Change and Preventing Violent Extremism

A Whole of Society Approach: Religious Actors as Driver of Change and Preventing Violent Extremism will highlight the importance of the Plan of Action on the Role of Religious Leaders and Actors to Preventing Incitement to Violence that could lead to Atrocity Crimes as an essential tool for conflict prevention, countering violent extremism, and atrocity crimes while ensuring protection of human rights. This event will showcase good practices and lessons learned, including building effective partnership between UN Member States and Agencies, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders to contribute to sustainable peace. It will also offer reflections on ways to further strengthen capacity building programmes.[WHEN] June 23, 2023 10:00-11:30 AM (EDT) Read more about A Whole of Society Approach: Religious Actors as Driver of Change and Preventing Violent Extremism[…]

“War and Peace”

“War & Peace”, a video podcast series featuring Secretary General of Religions for Peace, Professor Azza Karam, seeks to answer the tough questions of how can we prepare peace in the midst of war and conflict and the role of faith leaders in Ukraine and beyond.