By Queeni Caay and Lordee Gomez/UM Interns
THE ASIAN Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) marks its first face-to-face annual executive council meeting at the Acacia Hotel Davao on May 23-26.
Pablito Baybado Jr., ACRP associate secretary general, said that face-to-face encounters are critical in expressing solidary among its members.
They invited key representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, and leaders from the Interfaith community to speak to the meeting.
The Executive Council (EC) comprises 40 religious leaders from 22 Asian countries representing various religious denominations, discussing the historical role of Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) and the importance of the Mindanao Peace Forum this May 25 for the continuing engagement of ACRP in the post-agreement Mindanao.
Through multireligious cooperation, ACRP promotes common action among religious communities in Asia and the Pacific for peace, such as converting violent conflict and achieving just and harmonious societies, boosting sustainable development goals, caring for the earth, promoting nuclear and conventional disarmament, safeguarding human rights, and fostering the equal dignity of all forms of life.
“We engage in the peace activities such as complete transformation, climate change, and human trafficking…and the human rights advocacy in various parts of Asia,” Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, ACRP secretary general, said.
