International Conference on “Peace Through Human Development”

The Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) in Norway organized International Conference on “Peace through Human Development” in Oslo on 5 May. The Rafto Foundation participated at the conference. The Conference was attended by Norwegian, Vietnamese and international participants, scholars, Buddhist monks from Norway, Sweden and from chapters of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Europe, Australia and the USA (25-JUN-07).

Based on the report from the International Buddhist Information Bureau (IBIB) published on 20 June. Short version prepared by Øystein Skotheim and published by Gunta Venge, the Rafto Human Rights House Bergen. Photos: IBIB

There was a diversity of ideas and visions served at the conference. As a backdrop to the whole discussion, was the aspect of religion, and how it could be asserted to serve the function as a catalyst to fuse human development. The positive qualities of religion in general were emphasized by Buddhist monks as well as the member of Norwegian parliament, Dagfinn Høybråten, leader of the Christian Democratic Party. However, the latter also admitted that religion, in several cases, was being misused in ways of violence and brutality. Nonetheless, his view was clear:”I see religion as a great source of human development.”

The opening speaker, Venerable Thich Tri Minh (right), referred to our World as “a burning house” –  a place of turmoil where our responses to global challenges such as terrorism, oppression, and global warming, are strained by fear. “How can we extinguish this blazing inferno?” he asked. The way of religion and spiritual development was, to many, seen as a possible contributing factor. However, the way of religion has not been admitted to act freely all over the World. In the country in question, Vietnam, a Communist regime has handled public affairs through dictatorial rule since 1975. UBCV, the organizer of the conference, is forbidden, and corrupt state officials are persecuting its members. Peace through human development is thus not given the opportunity to prosper.

Running like a scarlet thread throughout the conference was the translation of individual adherence to religion, into dynamic activism for the improvement of society. ”The concept of peace in Buddhism is primarily a notion of inner peace and harmony”, said a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, concerned about the raging civil war in his country. The Rafto Foundation addressed this point exactly, when they in 2006 awarded the annual Rafto Prize to the Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Do. In March 2007 the Rafto Foundation went to Vietnam to visit Quang Do in house arrest, as he himself was not permitted to travel to Bergen to receive the prize. However, the delegation was intercepted and arrested by Vietnamese police officers. Thich Quang Do later expressed that he was “utterly ashamed on behalf of his government.”

Thich Quang Do (right) has spent 25 years of his life behind bars. The reason is his confrontational appeals against the authoritarian regime in Vietnam; loved by his followers, but deeply feared by the country’s rulers. The Communist regime accuses him of being a traitor – a political perpetrator attempting to create dividing lines and inflict chaos on society. Director of the International Buddhist Information Bureau and UBCV International Spokesman, Mr. Vo Van Ai, was of a different impression.” He (Thich Quang Do) is simply perpetuating a tradition of social activism and engagement;” virtues, he claims, which date back to the dawn of Buddhism. Furthermore he referred to Quang Do’s aspirations as an effort to promote the Buddhist principle of  “the Five Precepts”; representing a basic set of values found in other religions as well.

Mr. Høybråten (right) expressed his admiration for the actions of UBCV Deputy Leader Thich Quang Do in the movement for democracy in Vietnam:
 
“You all know the Buddhist monk Thich Quang Do. He has not only the respect and support of Buddhists all over the world; he has my respect and support too. Thich Quang Do has spent a total of 25 years in detention, and many long years under house arrest. But his moral strength is impressive, it’s inspiring, and he continues the struggle. As you know, last year he was awarded the highly respected Rafto Prize by the Rafto Foundation in Bergen, Norway. That was a decision I supported very strongly. But he deserves even higher support and respect. For this reason, I have used my privilege as a member of the Norwegian Parliament to nominate Thich Quang Do as a candidate for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. This not only an expression of support for one person. It is an expression of support for all Vietnamese who are fighting for a peaceful transition to democracy. And it is an act to show the solidarity between people of different faiths. We stand together in the defense of Human Rights, the defense of freedom of religion. We stand together in the fight for reconciliation and peace.”

Mr. Vo Van Ai (right) also presented the dominating Communist ideology, in relation to Buddhism, as two extreme opposites; the former being based on hatred, whereas the latter is founded on compassion, understanding, and love. Vo Van Ai stressed that Buddhism is of a democratic nature, but that dictatorial rule is suppressing its potential and depriving the people of universal rights. “Advancing democracy and dispelling tyranny, I believe, are the keys to human development,” he claimed. Reaching his conclusions, he proposed to the participants of the conference to join him in the establishment of a “Committee of Ethics;” a committee that will ensure cooperation beyond national and religious borderlines to achieve World peace through human development.“