Parliament of Worlds Religion 2004 Barcelona

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

Page 142

humanity? From modern spiritual and scientific contexts we will explore how new types of "awakening" can lead to genuine dialogue between religion and science, and can turn fault lines of divisiveness into pathways to inner and outer peace. Technologies of thought, language, science, and spirituality will be discussed to demonstrate their complementariness in the unified and unifying field of consciousness.
A former attorney, Audrey Kitigawa is now Advisor at the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict at the United Nations. She is the Founder and Director of Vision for Humanity, and associate convener of the World Commission for Global Consciousness and Spirituality. J.J. Hurtak, Ph.D., is the Founder/President of the Academy for Future Science. He is an activist for a sustainable future and a philosopher on global consciousness. He is the author of 10 books, and the writer/director/co-producer of more than 30 films on the evolutionary process of mankind.
Ashok Gangadean is Co-Convenor of the World Commission on Global Consciousness and Spirituality, Co-Founder/Director of the Global Dialogue Institute, and Professor of Philosophy at Haverford College where he has developed global philosophy over the past thirty-six years. He is the author of "Meditative Reason", "Between Worlds" and the forthcoming "Awakening of the Global Mind". He also hosts a weekly TV show in Philadelphia - "Your Global Connection".
The Headscarf Debate: Religious Dress & Secular Fundamentalism
Mehrezia Labidi-Maiza
Merve Kavakci
Maha ElGenaidi
Kamar Oniah Kamaruzzaman
Room 113, Spanish/English/Catalan
The Islamic headscarf, Hijab, has become a major source of debate, conflict, and state policy in many parts of the world. Turkey bans the headscarf in schools and, as a result, the daughters of prime ministers have to attend school in the US, where the government invokes civil rights protection laws in defense of the headscarf. At the same time, in the French Republic it is against the law for Muslim girls to wear one. This panel will discuss issues regarding the freedom of religion and different models of secularism.
A French-Tunisian translator of Islamic religious texts, Mehrezia is a member of the World Conference of Religion and Peace, and coauthor of articles and books on religious and interreligious topics.
Merve Karvakci teaches at the Elliot School of International Affairs at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She is a former member of the Turkish Parliament who could not take the ooth of elected office because she wears the scarf.
President of Islamic Networks Group, Maha is a commissioner on Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante's "Commission for One California." Maha is also commissioner on the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission.
Program Descriptions Friday, July 9, 2004
ENGAGEMENT SESSION 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Dr. Kamaruzzaman is Professor at International Islamic University, and currently serves as the Director of the Australian office of the World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations. She is an internationally renowned scholar of Islam, and one of the most active Muslim women in promoting dialogue between religions in Asia.
Religious Freedom for All
Kevin Boyle
John Taylor
Room 114, Spanish/English/Catalan Panel Discussion
Religious freedom is crucial to effective interreligious dialogue. The Professor Kevin Boyle will give a critical 'tour d' horizon' of religious freedom in the world, including its recognition as a human right and the prevalence of its denial. Under a theme of 'religious freedom for all', specific regional challenges will be illustrated with real-life stories. Prof. Boyle's remarks will be followed by input of an international panel with time for questions and answers. Dr. Boyle will offer an informal consultation with interested members of religious communities following the session in Open Space.
Kevin Boyle is a Professor of Law, and was director of the University Human Rights Centre. In 2001-2002, he was Senior Adviser to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson. He has published widely on human rights and co-edited Freedom of Religion and Belief, a World Report.
Dr John Taylor studied & taught Islamics at Cambridge, Punjab, McGill, Birmingham & Harvard. He has worked with the WCC, WCRP, and CEC and now serves as UN (Geneva) representative of IARF (International Association for Religious Freedom).
The Global Eco-Social Marshall Plan / Club of Budapest Peter Spiegel
Ervin Laszlo
Helga Breuninger Eike Messow
Room 115, Spanish/English/Catalan
This program asks the question, "What do we need to implement the UN Millenium Development Goals?" Speaker and panelists will discuss this question and consider the Global Marshall Plan, introduced by the Club of Budapest. This is an overarching global plan of global security, peace and prosperity that addresses the threats to our present ecological and political systems. Following its namesake of post-World War II Europe, the Global Marshall Plan aims are widespread, including winning politics, economy, and civil society for a new era of global co-operation. The program will begin with a presentation by Peter Spiegel, the General Secretary of the Club of Budapest, followed by a moderated discussion, with respondents including Prof. DDr. Ervin Laszlo, founder of the Club of Budapest.
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