Program Schedule of Fifth International Interfaith Conference on Holy Books

Fifth International Interfaith Conference on Holy Books (Intertextuality Series)

30^th September to 3^rd  October 2013 at Karickam International Public School, Kottarakara, Kerala

Under the joint auspices of Dr Alexander Marthoma Center for Dialogue and Cosmic Community Center

Program Schedule

Sunday 29th September	Arrival of participants (Nearest Airport is TRIVANDRUM and nearest Railway Station is KOLLAM)
Monday 30th September
8.00   am	Breakfast (KIPS, Karickam)
9.00   am	Registration of participants (KIPS)
9.30 a.m	Opening worship
10.00 am	Welcome and introductory remarks – Rev Dr Ruwan Palapathwala, Dubai
10.30 am	Intertextuality Concept—Shanthi, Abraham, Andrew
11.00 am	Tea break
11.30 a.m	Paper presentation- Rev. Dr. KV Mathew, Former Principal, M.T Seminary, Kottayam (Title- Life After Life: Biblical Concepts)
12.00 Noon	Paper presentation- Tinumeran Ozukum, Tamil Nadu Seminary (Title- Life after life: Biblical Implications)
12.30 P.M	Paper Presentation : Bishop Kumara Illangasinhe (Sri Lnaka)
1 P.M	Lunch Break (KIPS)
2.00 pm	Paper presentation- K V V S Murthy (Andhrapradesh) (Title- Holy Books and Life after Life..)
2.30 pm	Paper presentation- Jayanthi Ranganathan Chawan  (Mumbai)                  (Title- The Eternity of Holy books and Life Perspectives from Bhagavat Gita and Vedic Literatures)
3.00 pm	Paper presentation- Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, Nigeria (Title- Examining The Concepts Of God, Death And The Life Hereafter In African Traditional Religions)
3.30 pm	Tea break
4.00 pm	Paper presentation- Dr.Galina Ermolina, Russia { Title-Life after death (based on the text of Agni Yoga Teaching(Teaching of Living Ethics), given through the Roerichs’ family)}
4.30 pm	Paper presentation- Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka (Title-The Living WORD in the Words of the Living)
5.00 pm	Cultural program
7.00 pm	Dinner (At the residence of Abraham)
Tuesday 1st October
8.00   am	Breakfast (Motel Aaram)
9.00   am	Morning worship with students of KIPS
9.30   am	Capturing of previous day
10.00 am	Paper presentation- Rev. Dr. M J Joseph, Kottayam (Title: Affirming the Power of Life)
10.30 am	Paper presentation- Ian Fry, Australia (Title: LIFE AFTER LIFE: The Tripwire to More Questions than Answers)
11.00 am	Tea break
11.30 am	Paper presentation- Kesavadasa Swami, Argentina (Title: Holy Books: Life after Life:References from the Srimad Bhagavatam)
12.00 pm	Paper presentation- Sidhar Dr. B. Rajaram,Ph.D, Coimbatore (Title: Holy Books  &  Life After Life – Interpretation)
12.30 pm	Paper presentation- Greshma P Raju, Punalur (Title: Holy Books and Life After Life)
1.00 pm	Lunch break (KIPS)
2.00 pm	Meeting with students of KIPS
3.30 pm	Tea break
4.00 pm	Official Inauguration, AMCD Award presentation and Book Release (Public Meeting) Programs 1.      Opening hymn 2.      Welcome- Dr. Abraham Karickam 3.      Over view of the Holy Books Conference- Dr. Ruwan Palapathwala, Dubai (Conference Manager) 4.      Introducing the award winners- Jiji P Mathew 5.      Reading of Mangalapathra- K C George 6.      Presentation of AMCD Award to Rev. Dr. M J Joseph 7.      Presentation of best CC award to Cosmic CC, Odanavattom 8.      Presentation of Essay Contest- Afna Jaleeb 9.      Book release (Life after Life) 10.  Presidential remarks- Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos  Episcopa (President, AMCD) 11.  Key-note Address: Swami Chaturvedi 12.  Felicitation- Swami Sachidananda Bharathi 13.  Reply speeches i) Rev. Dr. M J Joseph  ii) Cosmic Rajan iii. Afana Jaleeb 14.  Vote of thanks- Prof. John Kurakkar
Wednesday 2nd October (Gandhi Jayanthi and International Day of Peace Celebration)
8.00 am	Breakfast (Motel Aaram)
9.00 am	Participation in the IDP Peace Procession
11.00 am	Tea break
11.30 am	Paper presentation- Dr. Meher Master Moos, Zoroastrian College, Mumbai (Title: Holy Books And Life After Life From The View Point Of The Ancient Avestan Mazdayasnie Zarathushtrian Daena)
12.00 pm	Paper presentation- Ramanujadas, Ekanathdas and Lekshmipatidas- Argentina (Title: Life After Life)-
12.30 pm	Paper presentation- Dr. J. Prameela Devi
1.00  pm	Lunch (KIPS)
2.00 pm	Paper presentation- Vasudeva Rao (Culcutta)
2.30  pm	Paper presentation- Prof. Dr. Waleboda (Sri Lanka)
3.30 pm	Paper presentation- Dr. Abraham Karickam (Title: Journey of the Soul)
4.00 pm	Evaluation
4.30 pm	Trip to Kollam Beach and Dinner at Hotel Nila Palace
Thursday, 3rd October	Picnic to Palaruvi Water Falls/ Courtallam

PEACE MAKERS OF THE WORLD

"Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent revolt of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution
of all to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty".

(Bishop Oscar Romero, 1917-1980)

MALALA'S STORY

On October 9th, 2012 in a region of Pakistan known as the Swat Valley, 14 year old Malala Yousafzai, an advocate and champion for the rights of young girls to attend school, was targeted and shot on a school bus.  Malala’s story is not unique: thousands of girls around the world do not have access to education and many risk violence in its pursuit.  What is unique is that at 11 years old, Malala began her very public fight for the rights to education of girls in her country. With the encouragement and support of her father, Ziauddin Yousufzai, a headmaster of a girls’ school in the Swat Valley, she raised her voice against the repressive and violent discourse of extremists desperate for power. She began questioning why some girls were not allowed to attend school; she participated in rallies and marches; she spoke out against the burning of girls’ schools. After one of her schoolmates backed out of an offer of publication with the BBC, Malala began writing an anonymous blog about her life in the Swat Valley; copy from which would be published in local papers, followed and supported in her community. In 2009 she became the president of the District Child Assembly in Swat; in 2011 she was nominated for the Children’s Peace Prize and was awarded Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize two months later in December.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Malala’s voice echoes strong; support has swelled in both secular and religious communities in Pakistan, uniting people in acknowledging the importance of her struggle, the importance of growing the discourse.  Malala’s courage has become a strong seed for change both in the Swat valley, and in the broader world; her example a template for critical engagement and activity for all young people.

www.etfo.c

Taliban victim Malala Yousafzai wins International Children's 

Peace Prize 2013

PAKISTANI teenager Malala Yousafzai, who "risked her life in the fight for access to education for girls", has been named winner of the International Children's Peace Prize 2013.

Malala, 16, is "a brave and talented child who has demonstrated special dedication to children's rights," the Dutch children's rights organization KidsRights said.

Starting at age 11, Malala started to write a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC about how she felt about being denied access to school.

Her activism made her a potential target. She was shot in the head by Taliban agents in October and was eventually flown to Britain for treatment, where she currently lives.

Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkul Karman, co-winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, will present the 100,000 euro ($149,175) award on September 6 at a ceremony in The Hague.

The funds will be used for projects aimed at improving access to education for girls in Pakistan.

Malala has also been nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize.

Activity Report about Cosmic Community Center

Karickam P.O, Kottarakara, Kerala, India

Cosmic Community Center is a registered non-governmental organization which is a                   cooperation circle of United Religions Initiative, founded in conjunction with the golden jubilee of United Nations. Established two decades ago it promotes interfaith harmony and peace. It has become a reputed organization in India and a pioneering institution in the field of dialogical enterprises. It collaborates with various organizations for peace building projects and major activities include the following:

1.      We have established an International Peace Research Institute (IPRI), which concentrates on world military spending and alternate peace initiatives.

2.      We conduct International Conferences on Holy Books  (Intertextuality Series every two years). Fifth in this series is scheduled to be held in October 2013.

3.      We supported the formation of URI Travelling Peace Academy and Training Programmes are being conducted every year in different parts of the world.

4.      We celebrate UN International Day of Peace (September 21) and UN Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1-7) every year, with a variety of programs.

5.      We supported the establishment of Karickam International Public School which has already become a peace building institution in itself.

6.      We were instrumental in establishing Santhwanam Cancer Care and Palliative Center which provides assistance to a number of needy patients.

7.      We publish a series of books for the promotion of interfaith harmony and peace in addition to organizing a number of national and international study conferences.

8.      We conduct youth exchange programs and welcome a good number of URI volunteers and guests every year.

9.      We established a world fellowship of Inter Faith Students Movement and co ordinate formation of units in schools and colleges so as to bring the message of Interfaith Harmony among the younger generation.

URI ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The United Religious Initiative (URI) is pleased to announce Victor Kazanjian as its new Executive Director. Kazanjian will assume the position on October 15, after two decades serving Wellesley College as Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, Co-Director of the Peace & Justice Studies Program and most recently Dean of Intercultural Education.

“The United Religions Initiative community in 86 countries of the world enthusiastically welcomes Victor Kazanjian as our Executive Director and looks forward to his leadership and friendship,” said William Swing, President and founder of the United Religious Initiative.

Victor Kazanjian himself is looking forward to joining the URI community. “It is a great honor for me to have been chosen as Executive Director of the United Religions Initiative. I am very excited to be a part of the URI team as we work together to build peaceful communities and engage problems of injustice and violence by supporting interfaith cooperation and understanding. One of the things that I have admired most about URI over the years is its commitment to a collaborative process of shared leadership that supports grassroots efforts to empower diverse groups of people of different beliefs and practices to transform their communities and the world. At a time when religion is often seen to be at the root of division among people, URI stands out as a beacon of hope for the possibilities for peace,” said Kazanjian. 

Global Council Chair Kiran Bali extends the council’s support. “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Victor Kazanjian as our esteemed Executive Director of URI. Victor is a real asset to URI bringing his extensive experience, leadership and high regard in the field of international interfaith cooperation. I look forward to working in partnership with Victor and our URI community to further strengthen our initiatives through the exciting times that lay ahead.”

Kazanjian’s work at Wellesley College is widely acknowledged as the catalyst in a  movement to include religious diversity and spirituality as core issues in higher education nationally and internationally, and has led to new models of interfaith and intercultural growth and understanding. Specializing in interreligious and intercultural conflict transformation, diversity and democracy, and grassroots peacebuilding, Kazanjian is a recognized thought-leader and the co-author of several books, includingEducation as Transformation: Religious Pluralism, Spirituality and a New Vision for Higher Education in America, (New York: Peter Lang, 2000), Beyond Tolerance: a Campus Religious Diversity Kit,(Washington: NASPA, 2004) and co-editor of the Studies in Spirituality and Education series published by Peter Lang Press.

In 1998 Kazanjian co-founded Education as Transformation, an international organization working with colleges and universities around the world to promote religious pluralism and spirituality in education. He is also a visiting faculty member and Fulbright Scholar at the Malaviya Center for Peace Research at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, and the creator of Wellesley College’s Wintersession program in India. 

Victor Kazanjian is an ordinated priest in the Episcopal Church and holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also a graduate of Harvard University.

VICTOR KAZANJIAN

Victor Kazanjian
Dean of Intercultural Education and Religious and Spiritual Life

Dean Kazanjian supports Wellesley College’s commitment to educating students for national and global citizenship by implementing an integrated co-curricular program of intercultural and interreligious education that equips students with the knowledge and skills they will need for leadership and life in a diverse and interdependent world.

He provides leadership for the new Office of Intercultural Education and has primary responsibility for the development and leadership of intercultural education activities, trainings, and programs that educate and promote awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity and inclusion on campus, and increasing multicultural competency throughout the campus community. He is the founder of Wellesley's Multifaith Religious and Spiritual Life Program, which seeks to respond to the rich diversity of beliefs represented among community members through a vision of a multifaith community in which all particular expressions of belief are celebrated; no one tradition is seen as normative; and dialogue about common religious, spiritual, and ethical principles is nurtured. This program provides support for people of all religious, spiritual, and humanist traditions and builds community among people of diverse backgrounds and working with faculty, staff, and students.

Dean Kazanjian is also the co-founder and president of Education as Transformation, Inc., an organization that works nationally and internationally with colleges, universities, and educational institutions exploring issues of religious pluralism and spirituality in higher education. As co-director of the Peace & Justice Studies Program at Wellesley he teaches on issues of social justice, conflict transformation, and community change, with a focus on race and class in America, and diversity and democracy in the United States and India.             

Publications

Dean Kazanjian writes and speaks regularly on issues of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, developing multifaith and multicultural communities, spirituality and education, leadership and learning, principles of peacemaking, diversity and democracy, and social justice and institutional change. His recent publications include:

Books

·              Co-editor of Education as Transformation: Religious Pluralism, Spirituality and a New                       Vision for Higher Education in America (New York: Peter Lang, 2000),

·              Co-editor of Beyond Tolerance: a Campus Religious Diversity Kit (Washington: NASPA, 2004)

Articles

·              “Building a New Global Commons: Religious Diversity and the Challenge for Higher Education,” in the Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue (Summer 2010)

·              “Design from Dialogue: Houghton Chapel and Multifaith Center at Wellesley College,” in Faith & Form: The Interfaith Journal on Religion, Art and Architecture (2009)

·              “Towards Multi-cultural Learning Communities” in Building the Interfaith Youth Movement (New York: Alta Mira Press, 2006)

·              “Religion, Spirituality and Intellectual Development,” in the Journal of Cognitive Affective Learning , Oxford College at Emory University, Summer, 2005.

PEACE PLEDGE ON HIROSHIMA DAY IN CONNECTION WITH PHOTO EXHIBITION

INAUGURATION OF PHOTO EXHIBITION BY MARIAMMA MATHEW IN CONNECTION WITH NAGASAKI DAY AT KIPS

List of CCs in URI South India-Sri Lanka Zone

Anugraha CC

Rajesh Kumar G. C

Mavarathala House, T. C. 2/2247,

Asdarsh Nagar-119, Pattam Palace P.O

Trivandrum- 695004

Ayur Inter Religious Center CC

Mr. M Abraham Thulayil Renjana

Ayur P.O,  Kollam.

Chavara Cultural Centre

Fr. Roby Kannanchira CMI

Director, Chavara Cultural Centre

Kochi-11.

Desinganadu Interfaith Council CC

Kunju Kunju Varghese

Chartered Accountant

Womens College Road, Kollam.

Din Ilahi

Mr. Neelakanta Sharma

Naithalloor Illam,

Kaviyoor P.O, Tiruvalla

Edamulackal URI CC

Dr. M. Sreedharan Pillai

Srinikethanam, Edamulackal P.O

Anchal, Kollam.

Forum for Interfaith Dialogue

Prof. S. Maheswari Amma

Department of Maths,

Mar Thoma College,

Tiruvalla.

Habel Foundation CC

Samuel Nellikkadu

Pariyaram P.O

Mallappally, Pathanamthitta.

Indian Dalit Ecumenical Federation CC

Joseph Chacko

Thadathil House

Kuttapuzha P.O

Tiruvalla.

Interfaith Association Kanjirapally CC

Dr. Prameela Devi J.

Aparna, Anakka P.O

Kanjirappally-686508

Interfaith Centre

Prof. G. Jacob

Vazhavila Veedu

Pulamon P.O

Kottarakkara.

Interfaith Dialogue Centre CC

Adv. Alex Thomas

House No. 108 J.D. Nagar, Cutchery Ward,

Kollam.

Interfaith Religious Forum

Prof. Mary Oommen

Rodi Rocks, Kizhakken Muthoor,

Kuttapuzha P.O. Tiruvalla-3

Interfaith Students Movement

Mr. Manu Krishnan

IIM RDA, AKMVHS

Thadicadu P.O.

Kollam.

Interfaith Students Movement CC

Dr T. P. Jose

Mar Theophilus Training College

Nalamchira P.O

Trivandrum

Interfaith Students Movement of India

Dr. K. Jacob

Panchiyil, Muthoor P.O

Tiruvalla

International Centre for Study and Development

P. R. Mariamma

ICSD, Valakom.

691532.

Inter Religious Centre

Y. Thankachan

Nellivila House,

Alummoodu P.O.

Mukathala, Kollam

691577

Inter Religious Centre

Ms. Rani George

Nellickal, Kuttapuzha P.O,

Kizhakken Muthoor,

Tiruvalla.

Inter Religious Council

Rajan Cosmic

Cosmic Home, Odanavattam P.O,

Kottarakkara.

Kulakkada Ikya Vedi

Mr. K. N. Thomas

Vazhuvelil House,

Kulakkada East P. O

Kollam.

Mata Ikya Vedi

Mr. George Panicker

Parankimamthotathil,

Kizhaketheruve P.O

Kottarakkara.

Mata Samunnuya Vedi

M. Shamsudeen Kunju

Kottal Puthuparambil,

Elippakkulam P.O

Pallickal-690503.

Nalamchira Sneha Sangamam

Ligin V. S

Vlathankara, Chenkal P. O,

Neyyatinkara-695132

Pattazhi Sarvamatha Sauhardha Samithi

N. Gopala Krishnan Nair

Manimandiram, Thekketheri P. O

Pattazhi, Kollam

Perumbavoor CC

Mr. Jacob P. Oommen

Poonthottam, I Mile

Perumbavoor- 683 542

Sahredaya Interfaith Forum

E. G. Benny

Elamkulathu House,

Pallickal P.O

Kottarakkara.

Tiruvalla Interfaith Forum

Sajan Varughese

Kunnumpurathu

Tiruvalla R.S. P.O

689111

Trivandrum Inter Religious Fellowship CC

Dr. W. Alexander

Kunnumpuram, 676, Darshan Nagar

Peroorkkada P.O

Trivandrum

Upasana CC

Rev. Albert Nambiarparambil CMI

Director, Upasana Centre

Thodupuzha - 685584

Vayakkal CC

Varghese M. C.

Munjanattu House

Vayakkal P.O

Thrikkannamangal URI

Shibu Thomas

Ananda Bhavan

Thrikkannamangal

Kottarakkara P.O

Kerala Kavya Kala Sahithy

Prof. John Kurakar

Kurakar Centre

Pulamon P.O

Kottarakkara.

Amar Jyothi Centre

Prof. P.K. Varghese

Puthen bunglow

Vettikkavala P.O

Kottarakkara

The Principal

St. Goretti Public School

Punalur P.O

The Principal

Fathima Public School

Chemmanthoor

Punalur P.O

The Principal

Karickam International Public School

Karicakm P.O, Kottarakara

Dr. B. Rajaram

Navaneetham

13 – A, Vidhya Nagar, 2^nd Street

Civil Aerodrome (Post)

Coimbatore - 641014

Social Team CC

Mr. P. Sethu

874, 17^th E. Main 6^th Block

Koramangala, Bangalore

560095

Atma Darshana CC

#2, "Siddharudha Nilaya",

8th Main, 

13th A cross,

Judicial Layout,

GKVK Post,

Allalsandra

Banglore

Bangalore Cooperation Circle CC

Dr. Mumtaz A. Khan

Khwaju Gharib Un Nawaz Welfare Center

181 1C Main Road, Gangenahalli Extn.

Bangalore-560032

Bangalore South CC

C. N. N. Raju

No. 18, 4^th  A Main, Obalappa Garden,

K. R. Road, Bangalore-560082.

BVN Memorial Service Society

K. V. S. Murthy

13-5-169 Ashok nagar Colony

Bha drachalam-507112

Mysore CC

Mrs. M. A. Hemalatha

Prathibimbha 3848/3 12^th Cross,

St. Marys Road, Karunapura

NR Mohalla-564786.

Inter Religious Cultural Co-existence CC

Mr. Upali Premachandre

Sarvodaya District Center

Bataganwila,

Galle 80000

SRILANKA

Sarvodaya Shanti Sena CC

Mr Ravindra W. Kandage

72/5 Rawatawatta Road Moratuwa

SRILANKA

To Provide Relief for Families of Drug Addicts

Ven. Kuppiyawatte B. Thero

Mithuru-Mithuro Sevana Pelmadulla

Ratnapura, 70070,

SRILANKA

Madurai CC

Prof. N. Muthumohan

Madurai Kamaraj University

Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Association for Interfaith Dialogue & Action

Sarpv Chaturvedi Swami

33 Mahalingapuram Main Road

Nungambakkam, Chennai

600034

Prayas Institute for Social Development

Mr. Shaik Altaf Ahmed

H.No-1-29/7

Amravathi Apartment

Sanjay Nagar

Malkajgiri

Hyderabad-500047

Santhwanam Cancer & Palliative Care Centre

Mr. Babu Oommen

Nettarakkonathu

Karickam P O

Kottarakara-691531

Social Development Initiative through Religious Cooperation CC

Mr. Shifan Mohamed Ruwaisdeen

Batticaloa Road

Valacheni

Sri Lanka

Surya Thejus Cc

Sr. Dr. Emilia

Baselious Marthoma Mathews II Central School

Sooranad South- 690552

Child and Youth Development through interreligious Initiative CC

Mr KarunasenaNew Bus stand No 94/13

Monaragala

Srilanka