A proposal by T.Y.S. Lama Gangchen

Inner peace is the most solid foundation for world peace.

All religions and spiritual movements promote the spiritual development of their members and look, in one way or another, for the building of inner peace. Religions have sometimes caused wars or at least have been used by social and political leaders to justify wars and different forms of violence and oppression. At the same time nevertheless, religions and spiritual movements have significantly contributed towards the development of a culture of peace and have fostered world peace by promoting values such as mutual respect, solidarity, compassion and social justice.

The United Nations is the main political forum for world peace. Peace-making and peace keeping are its core functions. Nevertheless there is no appropriate room in that forum for the religions and spiritual movements to be represented and to be actively involved in building world peace.

Although some countries have an official religion, in general religions ignore national borders and co-exist within countries and local communities. "Religions must not identify themselves with political, economic or social powers so as to remain free to work for justice and peace." (1)

The Governments of the United Nations Member States cannot represent religions and spiritual movements. It is time to give them official recognition within the United Nations and to create for them an appropriate forum within the United Nations environment to hear their voices and actively associate them in the noble task of building world peace.