Kathmandu
In recognition of the work of local organizers in fostering interfaith cooperation, peace and social cohesion, the Partner Cities Network is pleased to award
Kathmandu, Nepal
with the designation of Peace City.
To learn more about local interfaith initiatives in Kathmandu check out past events below. To support their local work, connect through PeaceNext.org.
In conjunction with the 2010 UN International Day of Peace, Hindu Vidyapeeth Nepal organized a week-long World Peace Program around the theme of "Unity Over Discrimination." Please click here to learn more about the program.
The Pre-Parliament Event was held on Tuesday 5th May 2009, after being disturbed by the political changes in Kathmandu in the few days beforehand. After the unrest, the event went ahead first thing on Tuesday morning and was a huge success. In hosting a Pre-Parliament Event in Kathmandu, local organizers joined 50 other international locations who are also hosting Pre-Parliament Events in celebration of the Parliament of World's Religions to be held in Melbourne in December 2009.
The aim of this program was for religious leaders to come together to discuss current issues in Nepal and how they, as religious leaders, can work towards positive change within the society. The program was chaired by Dr. Chintamani Yogi, and the chief guest was Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF.
The chief guest emphasized that the different religious or interfaith groups hold the major role in the peace building process of Nepal. The program was attended by a host of important religious leaders and speakers from around Nepal, including leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Baha'i, Judaism, Sikhism, and many others, most of whom made a blessing to begin the program.
Audrey Kitagawa, the Vice Chair of the Council for the Parliament of World’s Religions (the 'Council'), repeated the Gayatri Maha Mantra which was very moving for many of the audience.
Dr. Chintamani Yogi made his speech as well, expressing the shared feeling of all the audience that the meeting had gone very well and it was truly momentous and satisfying to have so many people in one place representing different religions and showing their firm commitment to the common goal of world peace through religious tolerance, respect and harmony.
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