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Scranton, PA and Mekele, Ethiopia sign Sister City Agreement

International Conference at Marywood University Addresses Environmental Protection, and Religion and Extremism

Source: Marywood University The Interparliamentary Conference on Human Rights and Religious Freedom opened Sunday and continued today at Marywood University with speeches from foreign and local dignitaries, a top White House official, a member of the British House of Lords, and the Culture Editor of Jyllands-Posten of Denmark. Topics discussed with a participating audience of delegates from around the world included religion and extremism and legislative actions on protecting the environment.

This year's session at Marywood University in Scranton is the fifth Interparliamentary Conference and the first held outside a national capital. Earlier conferences were held in Rome, Brussels, and Washington, D.C. During the opening ceremonies on Sunday, Scranton’s Mayor Christopher Doherty signed a “Sister City” agreement with the city of Mekele, Ethiopa, represented at the conference by Samuel Assefa, the Ethiopian ambassador to the United States.

Michael G. Kozak, the senior director for democracy at the National Security Council gave the keynote address on Sunday, speaking about U.S. foreign policy in support of pro-democracy movements around the world.

"Given the chance, people around the world will choose democracy over authoritarian regimes," Kozak said. "This does not mean that all democracies will look like the USA. But the basic value of giving voice to the people is common to all: free elections, freedom of expression and belief."

Other opening remarks were made by Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the political committee of the Palestinian parliament; and Xiulang Wang, an official of the State Administration for Religious Affairs of China. Ethiopia Ambassador Assefa gave remarks on behalf of the First Lady of Ethiopia.

Parliamentarians and dignitaries from Sudan, Chile, Kenya, Moldova and China, among others, also participated on Sunday in a lively discussion on the role of faith communities in protecting the environment. Panelist speakers included Rev. Msgr. Anthony Frontiero of the Vatican; Rabbi Steve Gutow of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Jean McInnis of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians; and Lawrence Anthony of the Earth Organization.

Anthony is best-known for rescuing the Baghdad Zoo at the onset of the Iraq War in 2003. Anthony discussed his conservation efforts in South Africa involving a 12-year effort to solicit donations of land from Zulu tribes. He also described his role in saving endangered species such as the pygmy giraffe and white rhino in war zones of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He said religious leaders are best equipped to inspire their followers on the environment.

"At each point in time, when you've got chaos and confusion, you can talk to the church," Anthony said. "The church is always there and has influence."

Monday’s session on “Counterterrorism, Dialogue, and Extremism” was led by a panel that included Flemming Rose, Culture Editor, Jyllands-Posten of Denmark; Baroness Caroline Cox, Humanitarian and Life Peer, British House of Lords; Joyce Dubensky, Executive Vice President, The Tanenbaum Center for Inter-Religious Understanding; Joseph Peters Esq., President, Security Solutions, Inc.; and Shai Franklin, Senior Fellow for United Nations Affairs. The panel was moderated by Katheryn Cameron Porter, Leadership Council on Human Rights.

Mr. Rose, whose newspaper had published a controversial cartoon about Mohammed, discussed the implications of so-called blasphemy laws and their impact on free speech and religious tolerance. Mr. Franklin discussed the negative emphasis of the media regarding religious-based issues and encouraged the delegates to bring the positive aspects of religions to the United Nations and to promote having a regular religious dialogue during the sessions there. He believes that "religion is the key to worldwide peace."

The three-day conference continues Wednesday, November 25, with closing ceremonies in the evening. The Interparliamentary Conference is a Nobel Peace Prize-nominated program of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute on Religion and Public Policy. Marywood University is the host for the fifth Interparliamentary Conference.

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