By Matters India reporter
Kathmandu, Dec. 2, 2018: Kathmandu — Religious leaders and social organizations must address global current challenges, and have budget for peace initiatives, a Jain religious leader told the Asia-Pacific Leadership Summit being held in Kathmandu.
Ambassador of Peace Acharya Lokesh Muni from New Delhi also on November 30 said that “religious and social organizations have significant contribution in addressing the current global challenges.”
About 1,500 participants from 45 countries are attending the the November 30-December 3 summit. Among the various global issues discussed include peace, development, good governance and role of parliamentarians, climate change and role of media.
In the Indian context, Lokesh Muni says, “I would like to mention that 80 percent of the population believe in some faith or the other.”
The Jain leader further explained, “Any faith when understood in its real sense presents many solutions to human problems. Religion has always established civilizations.”
“Religious organisations teach people how to live a balanced life,” he added saying, “They are also open to hear people’s problems as they work for individual, family, community, national and international levels.”
He strongly believes that, “Religious leaders and organization can do what government might not be able to do by spending millions of dollars.”
Affirming that, “All religions preach unity in society, [they] come together and work for development,” Lokesh Muni clarified, “There is no place of violence, hatred and difference on the path of religion. Inter-religious dialogue can establish peace and religious unity leads to social peace.
Founder of Peace Education Lokesh Muni insists that “Value based education should be part of our education system for peaceful society.”
He lamented that, “It is an irony that we want peace but no country has a separate budget for peace initiatives.”
Through the summit Lokesh Muni appealed to world leaders saying, “I would like to propose that Government, Social and Religious Organisations and Educational System of every country should have a plan of action for Peace efforts and they should make efforts to implement that plan.”
The Asia-Pacific Leadership Summit 2018, is organised by the South Korea-based Universal Peace Federation and supported by the Nepal Government. It is attended by many heads of state, ministers, members of parliaments, religious leaders, social workers including leaders from the region including India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Pakistan and Philippines.
Some of the notable attendees include former Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Myanmar Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, former Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Nauru President Baron Waqa, Philippines Vice-president Maria Leonor G Robredo, Samoa Head of State Vaaleto’a Sualauvi II Tuimalealiifano and Tuvalu Governor General Iakoba TaeiaItaleli.
Senior leader of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Vijay Jolly, and Don Bosco Liluah alumnus from Belur, cradle of Ramkrishna Mission Subrata Ganguly were also part of the Indian delegation at the summit.