World Council of Religious Leaders

The World Council of Religious Leaders, "an independent body, works to bring religious resources to support the work of the United Nations in our common quest for peace. WCRL is not an official part of the United Nations, nor does it have any status with the United Nations."

"The formation of the World Council of Religious Leaders was one of the stated goals of the Millennium World Peace Summit. The objective of this Council is to serve as a resource to the United Nations and its agencies around the world, nation states and other international organizations, offering the collective wisdom and resources of the faith traditions toward the resolution of critical global problems.

"The launching of the World Council took place in Bangkok on June 12th-14th, 2002, at Buddhamonthon and at UNESCAP. Participants adopted a Charter that outlines key areas in which religious leaders can play an active role in reducing conflict and addressing the critical needs of humankind."

Leadership
Accessed August 2008:

Co-Chairs

 * His Holiness Somdet Phra Buddhacharya - Acting Supreme Patriarch of the Kingdom of Thailand
 * Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shelomo Amar - Chief Rabbi of Israel
 * Askenazi Chief Rabbi Israel Meir Lau - Chief Rabbi of Israel
 * His Holiness Jayendra Saraswati - The Shankaracharya of Kanchipuram
 * His Excellency Ayatollah Mahmoud Mohammadi Araghi - President of the Islamic Culture and Relationship Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran
 * His Excellency Dr. Aabdullah Abdul Muhsin Al-Turki - Secretary General of the World Muslim League
 * Venerable Min Zhiting - President of the China Taoist Association

Board

 * Reverend Joan Brown Campbell - Director, Department of Religion Chautauqua Institution
 * Chief Oren Lyons - Chief, Onandoga Nation
 * His Excellency Kamel AL-Sharif - Secretary General, International Islamic Council For Daw'a and Relief
 * Rt. Rev Riah Abu Al-Assal - Bishop of the Episcopal Anglican Diocese, Jerusalem and the Middle East
 * His Eminence Gregorios Theocharous - Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain
 * His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati - Chairman, All India Movement for Seva
 * Rabbi Arthur Schneier - Founder and President, Appeal of Conscience Foundation
 * Most Venerable Master Sheng Yen - Founder, Dharma Drum Mountain Buddhist Association
 * Venerable Phra Thepsophon - Rector, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University
 * Bawa Jain - Secretary General, World Council of Religious Leaders

Advisors
Senior Advisor:
 * His Excellency Mr. Budimir Loncar - Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia

Advisors:
 * Hiroshi Matsumoto - President, Inner Trip Reiyukai International
 * Jane Goodall - UN Messenger of Peace & Founder - The Jane Goodall Institute
 * Ms. Setsuko Nakanishi - Honorary WCRL Member, Spiritual Leader, Founder ITRI

International Experts Group

 * Dr. Doudou Diene - UNESCO
 * Professor Dr. Ervin Lazlo - Founder and President, The Club of Budapest
 * His Excellency Dr. L.M. Singhvi - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
 * Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr - Department of Islamic Studies, George Washington University
 * His Excellency Dr. Karan Singh - Member of Parliament, India
 * Reverend Dr. C. Welton Gaddy - Executive Director, Interfaith Alliance Foundation
 * Honorable Leticia Ramos Shahani - Presidential Adviser on Culture, Office of the President of the Phillippines
 * Reverend Joan Brown Campbell - Director, Department of Religion Chautauqua Institution
 * His Excellency Ambassador Onur Gokce - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey
 * His Excellency Mr. Kenneth Kaunda - Former President of the Republic of Zambia
 * His Excellency Mr. Budimir Loncar - Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Yugoslavia

Contact

 * Web: http://www.millenniumpeacesummit.com

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Awraham Soetendorp
 * Rabbi David Rosen