The Yogyakarta Declaration of the 6th ACRP Assembly, 2002
Preamble
The sixth Assembly of the Asian Conference on Religion and Peace met in
the ancient cultural city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 24 to 28 June
2002 under the theme “Asia, The Reconciler” with the participation of about
three hundred people from 20 countries belonging to all the principal religions
of Asia – Buddhist, Baha’i, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim,
Shino, Sikh, Tao, Zoroastrian and others.
We regret to note that the Sixth Assembly of ACRP had to be postponed
due to the September 11 terrorist attack. We unanimously say “Absolute
No” to terrorism of any kind of any reasons.
There are many divisions and conflicts in Asia which divide the people.
As in the previous five Assemblies held in Singapore, New Delhi, Seoul,
Kathmandu and Ayutthaya (Thailand), we the people of religion profess to
stand on the side of the poor, the oppressed, and the deprived. Religionists
cannot be neutral. We are in solidarity with the suffering masses of Asia
and we will continue to do what we can towards their empowerment and liberation
from injustice and oppression, and the achievement of people-centered development
rooted in respect for human dignity.
Asia continues to be torn by conflicts and confrontations, rivalry and
repression. Everywhere the level of the militarization, even nuclear, is
increasing, political power tends to be authoritarian causing an even enlarging
vicious circle of more armament resulting in more deprivation. In the midst
of these dilemmas, we came to meet in Yogyakarta, seeking spiritual strength
and religious insights to face the ongoing challenge.
Mutual understanding and respect among followers of different religions
is growing which is a great step in the right direction. We are now committed
to continue our strides on the path we have chosen to widen the field of
mutual understanding and respect to achieve peace and harmony in Asia and
in the world. It is our challenge and our opportunity in this time of polarization
and discord to build dialogue, to establish and uphold genuine respect
for plurality as the best guarantee of peace, harmony and security, so
to create a new age of hope and reconciliation.
Reality of Asia
We, the people of religion, are gathered here in the midst of human misery,
agony of suffering which echo throughout Asia. The voices of grief of those
whose human rights are violated, are no heard. Human dignity is not heeded.
Social justice is not taken seriously. Conflicts and violence occur too
easily. In Asia, a vicious circle manifests itself in the form of discrimination,
disparity, deprivation and violence. These factors, found all interwined
all over Asia, constitute an intolerable social conition that cannot be
tackled without, at the same time, dealing with the other interrelated
problems.
We welcome the peace process initiated in Sri Lanka and the “June 15 Joint
Declaration” between the North and South Korea. We acknowledge there is
tension between India and Pakistan. We are worried about India-Pakistan
tension with nuclear weapons. We strongly recommended a peaceful resolution
and appeal that both sides step back from the use of military forces.
Spirituality of Asia
Asia is the cradle of all religions of the world. Spirituality which animates
the higher nature of humanity, abounds in Asia. It is a force which makes
us one in spite of our diverse way of expressing it.
Spirituality may have often led us into the transcendental indifference
and escapism from the ground reality of Asia, thus serving unwittingly
the cause of the status quo. Spirituality, which we are trying to revive,
through our common prayer and witness, is a strength in the midst of weakness,
a hope in the midst of despair, and love in the midst of hatred. It has
to be channeled to save and serve and the test of its genuineness is in
its renewing power of humanization.
In this context, the theme of the Sixth Assembly, namely “Asia, The Reconciler”
demonstrates a newly added appropriateness and significance. The five Commissions,
set up by the Assembly, discussed in depth the problems of
•Reconciliation for Peaceful Common Living – Disarmament and Security;
•Reconciliation for Just and Sustainable Development Economy and ecology;
•Reconciliation for Life Respecting Community – Human Dignity and Human
Rights
•Reconciliation for a Harmonious Family – Women, Children and Partnership;
•Reconciliation for a Culture of Peace – Education and Service for Peace.
The Commissions made recommendations for the removal of the difficulties
and problems arising from violation of human rights, denial of human dignity,
economic problems emanating from a capitalist or socialist system, oppression
of women and children and anomalies in the education system which do not
cater to the needs of the common people, but are biased in favor of the
powerful dominating sections.
Promotion of education, protection of environment, development of “natural
capital” and internationalization of civil society networks were also emphasized.
In spite of the growing awareness about human rights and setting up various
commissions in many countries of Asia, human rights are violated and worst
sufferers are the weaker sections of society, refugee, discriminated against
people, women and children.
Education for a Culture of Peace
Stress was laid on the need and importance of peace education and also
promotion of education in general. Commissions also suggested education
of religious leaders to impress on their minds the importance of peace
and also against promotion of violence, terrorism and war.
Parents owe a responsibility towards family and society. Proper education
and a congenial atmosphere at home goes a long way to educate children
to develop them into responsible citizens and to promote peace, harmony,
responsible attitude necessary for peace and progress.
Education for peace is more urgent than ever before. As people of religion,
we pledge ourselves to awake and generate to public consciousness as the
foundation of peace-making within our own religious traditions, through
education in temples, churches, mosques, synagogues, and homes. This will
require our commitment to planning, training, and funding for peace education
programmes. As religious people of action, we must deliberately link our
personal lives and daily choices to our wider work as peace-makers.
In our religious institutions, and in schools, colleges and universities,
we will encourage new initiatives for peace education. Our public and community
life must include knowledge and discussion of the realities of the arms
race, the conflicts that lead to war, the means and strategies for nonviolence
resolution of conflict, and the work of the United Nations and its agencies.
Essential to peace education is learning about and coming to understand
those different religions, ideologies, and cultures which we share our
communities, our nation and our world. The opposite of conflict and violence
is knowledge. Therefore efforts must be made to educate about other faiths
so that fear may begin to give way to trust. We must strengthen and deepen
mutual understanding by sustained dialogue, and by undertaking common work
together.
Mass Media
With the explosion of communication technology, mass media have become
a beneficial and powerful instrument of expanding knowledge and information.
At the same time, they can be a baneful tool of moral degradation. To assure
a humane use of mass media, it is the responsibility of religion to imbue
them with ethical standards.
In the present-day society, mass media make it possible to bind a large
number of people together, to bind group with group, nation with nation,
so that they make common destiny and solidarity of humankind easily achievable.
In the light of the recommendations made by the Commissions, Women’s Meet,
Youth Groups and taking note of suggestions of the important leaders who
participated in the Conference, the following measures are suggested.
The following suggestions are made to tackle the situation:
1.Establish a “Centre for Comparative Study of Religions and Cultures of
Asia” to promote better and understanding among the people of Asia. This
will be an independent institution directly under the control and supervision
of ACRP Secretariat;
2.Set up “Peace Parks” that symbolizes and inspires peace and harmony in
collaboration with local religious institutions and individuals, as proposed
“World Peace Monument Park” in Nepal.
3.Launch youth exchange programs.
4.Show concern to the issue of human rights, especially people’s right
to livelihood and development, and study on promoting human rights.
5.Collect information affecting women and children to deal with the question
of their discrimination and oppression in many countries and to protect
their interests.
6.Study the problems of discriminated-against people and ethnic minorities
in Asian countries.
7.Make ACRP an instrument of reconciliation and raporchment to reduce or
solve tensions in such crucial matters as the Indo Pak conflict and spread
of terrorism and ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka and Nepal.
8.Organize ACRP consultations and dialogues with American religious leaders
and representatives of European Conference on Religion and Peace on matters
such as September 11 terrorism, nuclear proliferation, use of violence
on the part of governments and so on.
In all humility, we call upon the power from Above to render us worthy
and more useful to our fellow beings.
May our hope and prayer for peace be realized, and the unity and our commitment
shown here be deepened.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
29 June 2002
