May 2010

UNICEF and Religions for Peace Discuss Protection of Children in Conflict Zones

UNICEF and the World Conference of Religions for Peace held a symposium titled "The Role of Religious Communities to Protect Children Affected by Conflict" in Tokyo on May 14. Some 70 people attended, including local residents and members of organizations affiliated with Religions for Peace. Rissho Kosei-kai was represented by Rev. Yasutaka Watanabe, chair of the board of trustees, and Rev. Koichi Matsumoto, director of the Youth Department.

The symposium themes ranged from protecting children in areas of conflict to the role of religious communities. Discussion also focused on joint support projects by UNICEF and Religions for Peace to help children affected by armed conflict on the Philippine island of Mindanao and elsewhere.

The panelists were Mr. Stephen Hanmer, a civil society and parliamentary specialist at UNICEF; Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, assistant secretary-general of the International Secretariat of Religions for Peace; Professor Pablito Baybado, Jr., from the Institute of Religion of the University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines; and Ms. Keiko Kiyama, secretary-general of JEN, a Japanese multiorganizational nonprofit group.

After an address by Mr. Ken Hayami, managing director of the Japan Committee for UNICEF, the panelists discussed the above-mentioned themes from the standpoints of their own backgrounds and activities.

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