SNAMMM Pushes For Interfaith Dialogue

In an effort to utilize interfaith dialogue as a means to bring lasting peace and sustainable development, the Philippines is hosting the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development from March 16th-18th, 2010. Attending the meeting are representatives from the 118 member countries and 17 observer countries of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), an international organization whose purpose is to ensure "the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries" in their "struggle against imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of foreign aggression, occupation, domination, interference or hegemony as well as against great power and bloc politics."

The theme of the forum is “Strengthening Partnerships With Governments On Interfaith Dialogue And Cooperation” and is being held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The focus of the forum is to identify the role interfaith dialogue and cooperation play in ending international conflicts and finding solutions to global issues such as the financial crisis, climate change, and nuclear non-proliferation.

In a interview today over the government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan, Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Leslie Gatan described the objectives of the meeting as, “to support NAM’s principles in promoting a culture of peace and dialogue among civilizations, religions and cultures; to promote interfaith dialogue as an important instrument in achieving global peace and development; and to highlight the Philippines’ leading role in interfaith dialogue in the international community.”

Today, the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting produced the Manila Declaration on Peace Process and Development and the Action Plan. The document outlines the plan of action that the member countries are to implement in the areas of human rights, culture of tolerance, and other basic issues of fundamental freedoms. The draft was successfully received and adopted by NAM senior officials and now moves to the Ministerial level for final approval tomorrow.

“I can assure you that the draft declaration will be acceptable to the Ministers," Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary, and chairwoman of the Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting (PrepSOM) Erlinda F. Basilio announced at a press conference soon after the adoption of the declaration.

However, Basilio addressed the need for the declaration to be adopted at the individual level. She stressed that the teaching of fundamental values such as tolerance and cooperation must start at home. “You do not need a graduate degree to understand and practice this,” she reiterated. "Then as adults, people could dialogue and communicate with an accepting spirit. That’s what it is all about,” added Basilio.


Website: www.snammm.org.ph