The second session, “Action Agendas: Testing Ideas with Experience from Field Realities,” began with a greeting by Koichi Hagiuda, executive acting secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party.
Hagiuda read a message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, saying, “Japanese live their lives cherishing peace. I believe in the significance of the G20 Interfaith Forum Japan 2019 and I have high expectations for its positive influence.”
A panel discussion followed, with former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey as moderator. Its participants were Gerrit Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Latter-day Saints; Bishop Emeritus of Oslo Gunnar Stalsett; Denise Coghlan of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Cambodia and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate; KAICIID Senior Advisor Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ganoune Diop, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; and Adventist Development and Relief Association President Jonathan Duffy.
Gong discussed the importance of environmental preservation by quoting the late Emperor Showa, “Why haven’t I seen butterflies lately?” He also noted local volunteers in Haiti’s efforts to plant 25000 trees. He also stressed the need to initiate more such activities.
Coghan focused on youths, calling for the eradication of human trafficking. She said, “Slave labor and human trafficking are crimes against humanity.” Abu-Nimer stressed the need to understand and accept differences and noted that dialogue is essential.
Diop warned that there are still many children who were displaced from their homes due to war and violence. Duffy stressed better representation for children’s rights.
(source: THE JAPAN TIMES, July9, 2019）
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