In the first session of the conference, Rt. Hon. Tom Brake MP, as the host gave introductionary, welcoming remarks. Pointing out the need for a balance between human rights and security, he gave current examples of how human rights issues can be overlooked for the sake of securing prosperity and stability such as the issues revolving around internet privacy and security. He stressed that a role of politicians is to contribute to the judgement where the line between of human rights and human security lies. Lord King of West Bromwich, the other host of the conference focused his opening remarks on the denial of human rights and the role that organisations like the Universal Peace Federation can take in helping the dispossessed and underpowered.

The Human Rights, Torture and Sexual Violence session was chaired by Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich and Margaret Ali, Director of UPF - UK. The chair, Lord Tarsem King opened with a shocking reminder that innocent women form a large proportion of torture victims, with violations mostly being fueled by greed.

SESSION III  YOUTH SESSION: 

FRIDAY 15th  JUNE 2012 14:00  Concurrent Session A - Committee Room 14 House of Commons

1) Ms. Kanchan Jadeja, Chair National Council for Voluntary Youth Services UK
Kanchan told us that NCVYS ensure that young people are represented in whatever the organisation does. There are 1million unemployed young people in the UK. Young people have lost faith in institutions and the media, they have no real role models.

In the recent Queens Honours list Mr Mohammed Khokhar received an MBE for his work with Muslim Aid from Her Majesty the Queen. Congratulations to Mr Khokhar! He has been doing great work with Muslim Aid to alleviate the suffering of humanity. It is a well deserved award because of the many years of dedication and the hours he works each day. He is always going to meetings on weekends and evenings to fulfil his role as Community Liaison Officer. 

He is also proud to be an Ambassador for Peace because this incorporates his vision as well to live for the sake of others in service to the family of humanity loved by Allah.

Mrs Louise Rawlence, the Chair for the Session, commented that there has been a recent transition towards taking great pride in female equality. (Photo Link for Session)

Ms Manuela Mesa Peinado, Director of the Centre for Education  and Research for Peace (CEIPAZ) within the Foundation for a Peace Culture, and an author of a book entitled, 'Mujeres Tejiendo La Paz' (Women Knitting Peace), opened by reminding us that “we are in a world still deeply rooted in a masculine perspective of life’s experiences” and questioned the trend towards the millitary.

Prof. Akiko Yamanaka

Former Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan

I. Introduction

Political dynamics in the international arena have changed radically since the end of the cold war. Both developed and developing countries need to establish a new security framework in order to fulfill their roles as leading members of a peaceful world community.

After the cold war, the international landscape has been extensively marked by increasing ethnic and religious conflicts, drugs, terrorism, a proliferation in weapons of mass destruction in certain countries and the prevalence of new disease. In addition to these global issues, newly tangible phenomena such as pirates, oil spills, the financial crash, cyber terrorism and natural disasters like tsunamis, earthquakes, droughts, floods, forest fires, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, typhoon as well as the scramble for natural resources can jeopardize peace and stability at anytime, anywhere on the earth.

Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, president of the World Congress of Faiths, chaired the session and introduced it by pointing out that while it was in the 20^th century that human rights were affirmed, although the ideas had always existed in scripture, the hope of the 21 century was that all people could enjoy them. He then read out article 18 which is concerned with freedom of thought, conscience and religion. He pointed out that many religions don’t have a good record of allowing people to change their religion or marry out of their religion. This led him to conclude that one test of the maturity of a religion is its willingness to let people go. He encouraged religious people to speak out and campaign together about religious freedom issues as they are more effective than when they act alone.