Announcing an International Peace Summit in Delhi, India, Dec. 2003
Announcement of an International Peace Summit, preparatory to the Parliament of the World's Religions in Barcelona coming in July of 2004, to be held in Delhi India on the 7th to 10th of December
August 15th, 2003
As you are aware, the Council for a Parliament of World's Religions, Chicago celebrated in 1993 the Centenary of the first Parliament held in 1893. To promote the vision of the Parliament, and to develop long-term strategies for peace and co-operation among religions and nations, the Council decided to have Parliament events in different parts of the world on a regular basis. The 1999 Parliament of World's Religions was organised in Cape Town, South Africa from December 1-8, 1999. Both the Chicago Parliament of 1993 and the Cape Town Parliament of 1999 were well attended with spiritual leaders, heads of organisations and scholars from all over the world. The Fourth Parliament will be held in Barcelona, Spain, from 7-13 July 2004.
Preparatory to the Barcelona event, the Delhi Peace Summit is organising an International Summit on the theme “Towards a Culture of Harmony and Peace” in New Delhi from December 7-10, 2003 in partnership with the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions, Chicago. This event is aimed at invigorating the conscience of the people of India and the world, regardless of religion, nationality and ethnicity, through a gathering of those who seek to transform hearts and minds of people and help promote the culture of peace and healing. It is proposed to invite men and women from India and abroad for affirmation of these values, and to strengthen the legacy of committed people in every state and of every religion and spiritual community who will speak with a united voice against intolerance, prejudice, violence and injustice, particularly in times of stress and will work together for social and economic justice, harmony and peace.
We are happy to inform you that His Excellency Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, has kindly consented to inaugurate the event on the evening of 7th December 2003. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has kindly consented to deliver the Valedictory Address on the 9th evening where Shri Jagmohan, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Government of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Rajya Sabha and other prominent public figures will also be addressing. Prominent religious leaders and scholars have also confirmed their participation. Sessions will be held from December 7 to 9 with the concluding function in the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti on the 9th evening. Visits to religious sites in Delhi are being arranged on the 10th December.
It gives us pleasure to invite you to participate in the deliberations of this major international initiative for strengthening culture of harmony and peace. While the organisers will be happy to provide board and lodging during the conference on payment of registration fee as per the details given in the enclosed Registration Form, you will be required to make your own travel arrangements. Further details will be sent on receiving your confirmation of this invitation and details on the enclosed registration form.
We will appreciate if you kindly respond at the earliest to help us finalise the list of participants and their role in the conference.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon and with cordial regards,
Yours sincerely,
Mohinder Singh
Organising Secretary
* Accommodation will not be available to those from Delhi & neighbourhood.