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NEW YORK, Oct 06 (IPS) – It isn’t a secret that the world is witnessing rising worldwide tensions and erosion of the worldwide order that has been in place because the institution of the United Nations. Divisive blocs, which haven’t been seen because the Chilly Battle, are making a swift return. In consequence, our planet is dealing with extreme threats, together with a brand new international arms race, the specter of the usage of nuclear weapons, and the proliferation of wars in all codecs, together with sizzling, hybrid, cyber, and commerce.
On this ambiance of pressure and rising geopolitical turbulences, it’s vitally necessary to develop new approaches to strengthening inter-civilizational dialogue and belief.
Diplomacy is, undoubtedly, key to facilitating cooperation. Kazakhstan has at all times supported fixing disputes completely on the negotiating desk primarily based on the UN Constitution. Our nation has constantly promoted ideas aimed toward attaining lasting peace, safety, and sustainable progress the world over.
Regardless of finest efforts, conflicts stay ubiquitous in lots of areas of the world.
To construct a brand new system of worldwide safety, the world requires a brand new international motion for peace. I consider the position of non secular leaders will likely be indispensable right here. Roughly 85% of the world’s folks determine with a faith, making it a big think about our lives.
Non secular leaders subsequently have a big affect on international affairs. Furthermore, the sacred worth of human life, mutual help, and the rejection of harmful rivalry and hostility are a set of ideas shared by all religions. In consequence, I’m satisfied that these ideas can kind the premise of a brand new world system.
How can spiritual leaders assist push for world peace?
How can this work in observe?
Firstly, spiritual leaders can contribute to therapeutic the injuries of hatred following an everlasting battle. Syria is a living proof. Kazakhstan welcomes the truth that hostilities have all however resulted in that nation. We’re glad to have contributed to this by way of the Astana Course of peace talks, which since 2017 facilitated negotiations between representatives of the Syrian authorities, the opposition, in addition to Turkey, Iran, and Russia.
But whereas the recent part of the battle is over, the divisions inside the nation stay. Religious leaders can play an necessary position in therapeutic Syrian society by way of the facility of faith.
Secondly, human nature is contradictory. There’ll at all times be provocations and hatred. Latest actions to burn the holy Quran in plenty of northern European international locations are unfavorable developments that undermine the tradition of tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceable coexistence. On this regard, the focused communication of non secular leaders in stopping such conditions and developments is essential.
Thirdly, new applied sciences are radically altering all spheres of human life. These adjustments are largely for the higher, together with improved healthcare, limitless info on-line, and ease of communication and journey. On the identical time, we observe how societies are being fragmented and polarized beneath the affect of digital know-how.
Within the new digital actuality, it is usually essential to domesticate non secular values and ethical pointers. Faith has a key position to play right here, too, as all faiths are primarily based on humanistic beliefs, recognition of the supreme worth of human life, and the aspiration for peace and creation.
These elementary ideas ought to be embodied not solely within the non secular sphere, but additionally within the socioeconomic improvement of nations and worldwide politics.
With out reliance on humanistic beliefs and ethics, the fast scientific-technological revolution can lead humanity astray. We’re already witnessing such debates with the arrival of normal synthetic intelligence.
In the end, ethical authority and the phrase of non secular leaders is essential immediately.
That’s the reason I’m proud that for 20 years, Kazakhstan has been internet hosting the triennial Congress of Non secular Leaders. Established in 2003 in direct response to the rise in interfaith disagreements and extremism following the 9/11 terrorist assault in america, the Congress has strengthened interfaith dialogue by bringing collectively spiritual leaders.
It has enabled significant dialogue on methods to mix efforts to advertise higher understanding between representatives of various cultures and non secular communities.
Previous to turning into the president of Kazakhstan in 2019, I had the dignity to function head of the Secretariat of the Congress.
I noticed how the Congress promoted tolerance and mutual respect in distinction to hatred and extremism.
Final 12 months, our nation held the Seventh Congress of Non secular Leaders. It was attended by delegations from 50 international locations, together with representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and different religions. I used to be honored to welcome Pope Francis, the second go to by the top of the Catholic Church to Kazakhstan following the go to by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Over the previous 20 years, the Congress grew to become a platform for inter-civilizational dialogue on the international stage. I consider it made a big contribution to Kazakhstan’s success in forging a secure and harmonious society from a inhabitants made up of greater than 100 ethnic teams and 18 confessions that reside in peace in our nation immediately.
By way of its dedication to spiritual tolerance and human rights, Kazakhstan units an instance for the world, showcasing the significance of interfaith dialogue in making a extra peaceable and harmonious international society.
Because the world continues to be embroiled in political uncertainty, a bridge of rapprochement between cultures and civilizations is required greater than ever. I’m decided to make sure that Kazakhstan facilitates international dialogue between religions and nations, together with by way of the work of the Congress of Non secular Leaders, thus contributing to mutual understanding and respect in societies.
The author is the president of Kazakhstan.
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© Inter Press Service (2023) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
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