International Conference on Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia, Oslo
10th - 11th April 2008
For the first time ever, Oslo is the host city for The Conference on Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia - Challenges and Opportunities arranged by The International Association for Human Values, Geneva. The Conference aims to establish a new avenue to overcome the well-known intra- and inter-national problems and issues concerning South Asia.
South Asia is a turbulent, complex region with a prominent place in the global map of ethnic conflict. The aim of the Conference is to create harmony, support the diversity, peace and dialogue with special attention to India and Nepal (Naxalism), Sri Lanka and Burma (South-East Asia). In particular, the Conference aims to articulate and explore the faith-based resources and values offered by the two ancient religions of Buddhism and Hinduism in the setting of contemporary social and political problem-solving for peace and development in South Asia.
Special Focus on the Role of Media in Reconciliation
The Conference will also examine the role and responsibility of the media in influencing the public opinion as well as the parties involved in a conflict and thereby directly influence the conflict resolution and peace building efforts.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Oslo
The world renowned spiritual and humanitarian leader and Founder of the International Association for Human Values, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is attending the Conference.
In 1997 he founded the International Association for Human Values (IAHV) "to foster on a global scale a deeper understanding of the values that unite us as a human community."
Shankar has been working on conflict resulution e.g. in Irak, Kosovo and Sri Lanka and was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Governments of Sri Lanka and India have been invited and many followed the invitation:
The speakers list for the conference contains many prominent persons, such as:
- Mr. Colin Archer, Secretary General, International Peace Bureau, Switzerland
- Ms. Erika Mann, Member of the European Parliament
- Ms. Hilde Salvesen, Special Advisor, The Oslo Center for Peace & Human Rights, Norway
- Prof. Rune Ottosen, Journalism Education, Oslo University College, Norway
- Mr. Hanssen-Bauer, Special Envoy of Sri Lanka, Foreign Ministry of Norway
- Mr. Arumugam Thondaman, Minister for Youth Empowerment & Socio-Economic Development, Sri Lanka
- Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General, Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace Process - Sri Lanka
- Mr. Vaiko, General Secretary, The Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK),
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Brahmanawatte Seevali Nayaka Thero, Deputy Secretary General, Sri Lanka Amarapura Mahanikaya
We invite the media to attend the programme which begins at 17:30 on Thursday 10th April at the Ingeniørenes Hus Møtesenter, Kronprinsens gate 17, 0251 Oslo.
For complete programme and details of the conference, please see: www.sap2008.org
For more information on IAHV, please see www.iahv.org
For details on Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please see: www.srisri.org
For an example of IAHV peace building efforts and the visit of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to Irak, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-Sstlp1u7Y
Yours Sincerely
Prof. Fahri Saatcioglu
Organizing Committee
Conference on Peace and Reconciliation in South Asia
Contact: info@sap2008.org / Tel. 94370640 or 97649258
The International Association for Human Values (IAHV) was founded in Geneva in 1997, to foster, on a global scale, deeper understanding of the values that unite us as a human community. The IAVHs objective is to promote essential human values through education, communications and outreach programmes. www.iahv.org
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