Bangkok--Jun 5--MFA
Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Opening Session of The Fourth Asia-Europe Meeting Interfaith Dialogue, 4 June 2008, Amsterdam
Your Excellency Mr. Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,
Mr. Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates and Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As co-host of the Fourth ASEM Interfaith Dialogue, I wish to join Minister Verhagen in extending a warm welcome to the Heads of delegations and all other distinguished participants.
On my own part, let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Netherlands for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for this important meeting.
It is apt indeed that we meet here “face to face” to talk “faith to faith” — in this vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam — a city where various cultures and faiths intersect.
We may have come from different cultures, religions and beliefs. But we have a common conviction and a shared faith.
-- A conviction to search for approaches to nurture and encourage mutual respect for religious and cultural diversity, for tolerance and, ultimately, for a culture of peace.
-- A faith in the good of dialogue: the dialogue among civilisations, cultures and faiths.
So, the real challenge before us is not only to engage in dialogue. We already have a growing number of worthy and mutually reinforcing initiatives — among regions and within regions.
Our challenge is, rather, how to translate our dialogue — our words and ideas — into action; how to implement interfaith dialogue in concrete terms; how to spread the constructive ideas, wisdoms and experiences we share and put them to good use.
Each country, each society, have their own stories to tell — stories of how they cope with diversity.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to tell you a story about a country I know best, Thailand.
Thailand, while predominantly Thai and Buddhist, also has different cultures and ethnic mixes.
-- Thais have always lived peacefully side-by-side with Chinese, Malays, Indians, Mons, Khmers, and Laotians; as do Buddhists with Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.
-- Religion and faith have traditionally played a very important role in Thai people’s lives and contributed to moulding Thais as free-spirited and tolerant individuals.
Tolerance has been instilled in our conscience. Freedom to follow any religion or faith has been guaranteed by law in our country since the Proclamation of Religious Toleration in 1878 — over a hundred years ago. Coupled with the fact that His Majesty the King of Thailand is the patron of all major faiths in the country — our people have been able to live together in peace and harmony.
Indeed, it is common in Thailand to spot mosques, temples and churches situated side-by-side or in proximity to one another.
In sum, interfaith and inter-cultural dialogues are not just what we envision. They are what we practice as part of our way of life, even subconsciously.
We in Thailand consider ourselves blessed to have no substantive religion-, faith- or ethnic-based conflict.
That said, we do face some related challenges, as experienced in our deep South. There, cultural differences have at times been deviously exploited and portrayed by bad and intolerant elements into religious conflicts, sporadically resulting in loss of life and property.
To address them effectively, we are pursuing a policy of reconciliation based on His Majesty the King’s approach — to “understand, reach out and develop”. This has helped ensure that security and development efforts are adapted to local conditions, way of life and popular beliefs. I have the pleasure to inform you all that this is working well. Yet, it will take time to completely accomplish our objective.
Nevertheless, we share with our friends the concern over the trend of radicalisation and spread of extremism across boundaries. We are concerned about religious faiths and dogmatic beliefs being distorted and misused, about misperceptions leading to inter-religious and intercultural tension.
That is why Thailand has co-sponsored the ASEM Interfaith Dialogue from the beginning and gladly co-hosts its fourth meeting today. We wish to share our story and to learn from you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to underline some points as we continue our dialogue:
First, leadership is crucial.
Political, religious and community leaders have a key role to play in promoting respect for cultural diversity and freedom of religion and faith. They have to speak out strongly and continuously in support of moderation, peace and harmony.
Second, promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding requires a multi-stakeholder partnership.
Because the question of faith and values goes to the very core of our respective societies. Everyone — from government, civil society and private sector to local communities and organizations and ordinary citizens — must be involved and contribute. We should also solicit support from artists, entertainers, sportsmen and other celebrities and personalities who can serve as role models for others.
Third, we must continue to disseminate correct interpretation of principles and teachings of our respective religions and faiths, while also promoting respect for other religions and faiths.
Because extremist elements tend to play on misperceptions to instigate hatred and incite violence, we must prevent our beliefs from being distorted. We must encourage more and more voices of moderation and tolerance. And we must also recognize that diversity exists even within a religion.
Here, I wish to emphasize the crucial role of local communities. This is the level where faith figures most actively in our people’s daily lives.
Local leaders should be encouraged to organize community-level activities to promote tolerance, non-violence, mutual understanding and harmony among all faiths and ethnicities within their localities.
At the same time, governments and local authorities also have the responsibility to formulate and implement economic and social policies that promote equality, dignity and justice among different groups within our societies. This will lessen the sense of discontent and marginalization which could make certain groups vulnerable to extremists’ manipulation.
Fourth, we must focus on our young people.
Through education and extra-curricular activities, we can instil love, forgiveness and compassion in our children. It is through these values that we hope they will grow up proud of their own beliefs while being appreciative and tolerant towards those of other faiths.
Educators and teachers must also be actively engaged in interfaith efforts, including in designing curricula that promote understanding and respect for different cultures and beliefs.
Here, I wish to announce Thailand’s intention to host this September the ASEM Interfaith Cultural Youth Camp Project for ASEM partners. This Project will provide a forum for European and Asian youths to get to know each other through a three-day programme which include visits to different communities of faiths and religious sites, participation in local youth activities and discussions.
I hope that you will support our initiative as another practical approach to promote dialogue and to share best practices.
Turning to my fifth and final point, we have available technological assets which we can mobilize in support of interfaith dialogue. With tools like satellite broadcasting and the Internet, more people can be reached. And with such tools, they should not only be able to stay in touch but also have access to accurate and timely information that should help them understand each other better.
Here, the media — through their pages, voices, pictures and websites and with adequate discretion on sensitivity— can contribute significantly in enhancing respect and understanding among different cultures.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year’s theme “Interfaith Dialogue in Practice: Sharing Best Practices” underscores our common goals to promote — in concrete ways — mutual respect and better understanding among different faiths and beliefs.
It is incumbent upon all of us to move beyond the question of “how to” to “what can be done” so that we may take action. My motto is “action speaks louder than words”. I believe we have enough words. It’s time for us to act, and act now.
Colleagues, I also hope this meeting will provide us with a chance not only to examine the right courses of action, but also to share views on what should be avoided.
And although there is no “one size fits all” solution or approach when dealing with beliefs and faiths, I believe we will benefit from one another’s stories and experiences, good and bad.
Finally, I wish the Dialogue every success in producing a constructive outcome to foster “Unity in Diversity” in today’s multi-dimensional and challenging world.
Different we may be. But with our determination and unity of purpose, we shall overcome these differences, together. This is why we are here, because we have faith in this Interfaith Dialogue.
I HAVE FAITH. And I trust you do too.
Thank you.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Welcoming Remarks by H.E. Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Opening Session of The Fourth Asia-Europe Meeting Interfaith Dialogue, 4 June 2008, Amsterdam
Your Excellency Mr. Maxime Verhagen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands,
Mr. Job Cohen, Mayor of Amsterdam,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates and Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
As co-host of the Fourth ASEM Interfaith Dialogue, I wish to join Minister Verhagen in extending a warm welcome to the Heads of delegations and all other distinguished participants.
On my own part, let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Netherlands for the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements for this important meeting.
It is apt indeed that we meet here “face to face” to talk “faith to faith” — in this vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam — a city where various cultures and faiths intersect.
We may have come from different cultures, religions and beliefs. But we have a common conviction and a shared faith.
-- A conviction to search for approaches to nurture and encourage mutual respect for religious and cultural diversity, for tolerance and, ultimately, for a culture of peace.
-- A faith in the good of dialogue: the dialogue among civilisations, cultures and faiths.
So, the real challenge before us is not only to engage in dialogue. We already have a growing number of worthy and mutually reinforcing initiatives — among regions and within regions.
Our challenge is, rather, how to translate our dialogue — our words and ideas — into action; how to implement interfaith dialogue in concrete terms; how to spread the constructive ideas, wisdoms and experiences we share and put them to good use.
Each country, each society, have their own stories to tell — stories of how they cope with diversity.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to tell you a story about a country I know best, Thailand.
Thailand, while predominantly Thai and Buddhist, also has different cultures and ethnic mixes.
-- Thais have always lived peacefully side-by-side with Chinese, Malays, Indians, Mons, Khmers, and Laotians; as do Buddhists with Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.
-- Religion and faith have traditionally played a very important role in Thai people’s lives and contributed to moulding Thais as free-spirited and tolerant individuals.
Tolerance has been instilled in our conscience. Freedom to follow any religion or faith has been guaranteed by law in our country since the Proclamation of Religious Toleration in 1878 — over a hundred years ago. Coupled with the fact that His Majesty the King of Thailand is the patron of all major faiths in the country — our people have been able to live together in peace and harmony.
Indeed, it is common in Thailand to spot mosques, temples and churches situated side-by-side or in proximity to one another.
In sum, interfaith and inter-cultural dialogues are not just what we envision. They are what we practice as part of our way of life, even subconsciously.
We in Thailand consider ourselves blessed to have no substantive religion-, faith- or ethnic-based conflict.
That said, we do face some related challenges, as experienced in our deep South. There, cultural differences have at times been deviously exploited and portrayed by bad and intolerant elements into religious conflicts, sporadically resulting in loss of life and property.
To address them effectively, we are pursuing a policy of reconciliation based on His Majesty the King’s approach — to “understand, reach out and develop”. This has helped ensure that security and development efforts are adapted to local conditions, way of life and popular beliefs. I have the pleasure to inform you all that this is working well. Yet, it will take time to completely accomplish our objective.
Nevertheless, we share with our friends the concern over the trend of radicalisation and spread of extremism across boundaries. We are concerned about religious faiths and dogmatic beliefs being distorted and misused, about misperceptions leading to inter-religious and intercultural tension.
That is why Thailand has co-sponsored the ASEM Interfaith Dialogue from the beginning and gladly co-hosts its fourth meeting today. We wish to share our story and to learn from you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to underline some points as we continue our dialogue:
First, leadership is crucial.
Political, religious and community leaders have a key role to play in promoting respect for cultural diversity and freedom of religion and faith. They have to speak out strongly and continuously in support of moderation, peace and harmony.
Second, promoting interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding requires a multi-stakeholder partnership.
Because the question of faith and values goes to the very core of our respective societies. Everyone — from government, civil society and private sector to local communities and organizations and ordinary citizens — must be involved and contribute. We should also solicit support from artists, entertainers, sportsmen and other celebrities and personalities who can serve as role models for others.
Third, we must continue to disseminate correct interpretation of principles and teachings of our respective religions and faiths, while also promoting respect for other religions and faiths.
Because extremist elements tend to play on misperceptions to instigate hatred and incite violence, we must prevent our beliefs from being distorted. We must encourage more and more voices of moderation and tolerance. And we must also recognize that diversity exists even within a religion.
Here, I wish to emphasize the crucial role of local communities. This is the level where faith figures most actively in our people’s daily lives.
Local leaders should be encouraged to organize community-level activities to promote tolerance, non-violence, mutual understanding and harmony among all faiths and ethnicities within their localities.
At the same time, governments and local authorities also have the responsibility to formulate and implement economic and social policies that promote equality, dignity and justice among different groups within our societies. This will lessen the sense of discontent and marginalization which could make certain groups vulnerable to extremists’ manipulation.
Fourth, we must focus on our young people.
Through education and extra-curricular activities, we can instil love, forgiveness and compassion in our children. It is through these values that we hope they will grow up proud of their own beliefs while being appreciative and tolerant towards those of other faiths.
Educators and teachers must also be actively engaged in interfaith efforts, including in designing curricula that promote understanding and respect for different cultures and beliefs.
Here, I wish to announce Thailand’s intention to host this September the ASEM Interfaith Cultural Youth Camp Project for ASEM partners. This Project will provide a forum for European and Asian youths to get to know each other through a three-day programme which include visits to different communities of faiths and religious sites, participation in local youth activities and discussions.
I hope that you will support our initiative as another practical approach to promote dialogue and to share best practices.
Turning to my fifth and final point, we have available technological assets which we can mobilize in support of interfaith dialogue. With tools like satellite broadcasting and the Internet, more people can be reached. And with such tools, they should not only be able to stay in touch but also have access to accurate and timely information that should help them understand each other better.
Here, the media — through their pages, voices, pictures and websites and with adequate discretion on sensitivity— can contribute significantly in enhancing respect and understanding among different cultures.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
This year’s theme “Interfaith Dialogue in Practice: Sharing Best Practices” underscores our common goals to promote — in concrete ways — mutual respect and better understanding among different faiths and beliefs.
It is incumbent upon all of us to move beyond the question of “how to” to “what can be done” so that we may take action. My motto is “action speaks louder than words”. I believe we have enough words. It’s time for us to act, and act now.
Colleagues, I also hope this meeting will provide us with a chance not only to examine the right courses of action, but also to share views on what should be avoided.
And although there is no “one size fits all” solution or approach when dealing with beliefs and faiths, I believe we will benefit from one another’s stories and experiences, good and bad.
Finally, I wish the Dialogue every success in producing a constructive outcome to foster “Unity in Diversity” in today’s multi-dimensional and challenging world.
Different we may be. But with our determination and unity of purpose, we shall overcome these differences, together. This is why we are here, because we have faith in this Interfaith Dialogue.
I HAVE FAITH. And I trust you do too.
Thank you.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-