Second Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC)

The Second Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) was held from May 17 to 19, 2004 at Hotel Crowne Plaza in Geneva under the theme of “Our Promise to Children.” At the Forum, 350 people of faith (including 50 children) from 68 countries and 7 religious traditions developed plans for interfaith action to build a world truly fit for children.

The Forum was organized by the Arigatou Foundation, which inaugurated the GNRC in May 2000 at the First Forum in Tokyo, Japan.

Keynote addresses were given by HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan and Mrs. Claire Brisset, Ombudsperson for Children in France.

The establishment of the Interfaith Council on Ethics Education for Children, a new global-scale initiative of the GNRC, was announced at the Forum. The Council was proposed on behalf of the GNRC by Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto, President of the Arigatou Foundation and Leader of Myochikai, in his statement to the plenary session of the United Nations Special Session on Children in 2002. Council members include Dr. Kul Gautam, Deputy Director of UNICEF, Professor Hans Kung, President of the Global Ethic Foundation, and Mr. Perez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan is an honorary advisor to the Council. The Interfaith Council on Ethics Education for Children will be administered and managed by the Arigatou Foundation Geneva office, currently located at 1, rue de Varembé in Geneva.

A Welcome Reception was held in the evening of the first day of the Forum, May 17, 2004 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Representatives from different NGOs in Geneva as well as other officials were invited guests at the reception.

An Interfaith Prayer for Peace was held at Cathedrale St. Pierre after the closing of the Conference on May 19, 2004. Representatives from local faith communities were participating in the interfaith prayer service.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the Arigatou Foundation is an international faith-based NGO in special consultative status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations. GNRC is one of the Foundation’s major inter-religious cooperation initiatives.

For more information on the event please contact Mrs Agneta Ucko at 079 509 79 23
More information on the organizers please visit the following websites:
http://www.gnrc.ne.jp http://www.arigatou-net.or.jp http://www.arigatou.ch