G20 Updates: Peace20 Goes to India for 2023

November 15: On November 1st and 2nd the International Peace20 Summit was convened in Ubud, Bali. According to Peace20 chairman KPAA Prince Dr. Damien Dematra, the Summit was created to give direct support to Indonesia’s President who is presiding over this year’s G20.  The co-chairing of the Summit by the Visions of Peace Initiative, which received 5 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 has provided an important acknowledgment of peace efforts within Indonesia.

Princess Cheryl Halpern, who co-chaired the Peace20 Summit explained the relationship between the mission of the VOPI and the goals of the Summit. She said, “the VOPI’s mission is to promote civility, tolerance and respect for youth ages 5 to 18 by embracing and teaching the Golden Rule, The Ethic of Reciprocity.  This universal value to ‘Do unto others as you would want done to yourself’ is echoed in the Indonesian National Motto, ‘Bhineka Tunggal Ika’ which has promoted unity with respect for diversity through millennia.  The Golden Rule together with Indonesia’s National Motto are core pillars for the Peace20’s mission to promote Peace, Tolerance and Respect for Diversity.”

The convergence of the VOPI and an International Peace Summit began on World Peace Day, September 21, 2022. Since then more than 25,500 people representing 53 countries have participated in face to face as well as online forums and art exhibitions promoting peace. Prince Dr. Damien Dematra proudly noted that as of the end of the Summit that the Peace20 holds the collective signature record for the “World’s Thickest Book with a Message of Peace.”

Indonesia is proud to have had so many of its ministers and cultural leaders support and participate in the Peace20 Summit, including: Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Prof. Dr. H. Mohammad Mahfud Mahmodin, Minister of Home Affairs General Prof. H. Muhammad Tito Karnavian, Ph.D., Minister of Religious Affairs KH Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Children Protection I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, M.Si, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Dr. H. Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of the Environment and Forestry Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, M.Sc., Minister of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency Prof. K.H. Yudian Wahyudi, Ph.D., King of Klungkung Ida Dalem Asmara Putra, King of Ubud Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati, Chair of the East Java NU Kyai Haji Marzuqi Mustamar, M.Ag., Bishop Riah Abu El Assal, Peace Activist, UN Representative Dr. Abraham Joseph.

Princess Cheryl noted, “Prince Dr. Damien Dematra and I believe that the success of the International Peace20 Summit as evidenced the signing of the Peace Pledge by all participants is providing President Joko Widodo with a strong foundation upon which to challenge the G20 delegations to follow Indonesia’s lead, sign the Peace Pledge and  commit to serious and implementable peace initiatives. Civics and civility, for example, need to be introduced into every school curriculum for all children regardless of age. Prince Dr. Damien Dematra and I are looking forward to continuing to promote the values of the VOPI and the Peace20 Pledge when India assumes the G20 Presidency. Peace requires a steadfast and never ending commitment to its principles, beginning with the Golden Rule.”

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By Muskan Singh