Conference at the Prague Parliament - Inauguration of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in the Czech Republic - Prague, The Czech Republic

Conference at the Prague Parliament Inauguration of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace in the Czech Republic Prague, The Czech Republic, October 9, 2017

By Juraj Lajda identity, the family and human rights. This Addressing the central theme of the was meant to launch the organization Parliamentarians for Peace Initiative, the newly registered by Nina Nováková, the

O n Monday 9th October 2017, at first panel featured a reflection on the the Czech Parliament in Prague, a Central European Inspiration - an alliance responsibility of parliamentarians for conference was held under the of citizens who share respect for universal sustainable peace by three members of the auspices of Czech Parliamentarian values and European cultural heritage and Czech parliament: the Czech Minister of Nina Nováková. Two projects were being spiritual traditions, and the conviction that Culture Daniel Herman, Mr. Ivan Gabal launched: the new association “Central the family is the core foundation of and Mrs. Helena Válková. Referring to European Inspiration”, initiated by Mrs. society. upcoming parliamentary elections in the Nina Nováková, and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), a project of the Universal Peace Federation.

The meeting was attended by four members of parliament, one member of the European Parliament, and by about 80 participants, including political leaders, scholars, media and NGO representatives. Under the general theme of “Horizons”, the first part of the conference consisted in panel discussions on European cultural

country, Mrs. Nováková said that this was democracy and the crisis of human rights. a question not often asked to politicians, Ms. Soňa Gyarfášová, a Slovak journalist, but a relevant one in an election campaign. raised the question of rights of vulnerable Each panelist expressed their perspective people, the elderly. Mr. Peter Juščák, a on a broad range of issues, from personal Slovak writer, spoke about human integrity to nuclear disarmament, the responsibility and the danger of extremist question of security or the rule of law. policies based on the dysfunction of Two Czech scholars, Dr Roman Joch, human rights. Mr. Peter Zoehrer, founder president of the Prague-based Civic of FOREF Europe (Forum for Religious Institute, and Dr Jiří Georgiew, from Freedom), concluded the panel by Charles University’s Faculty of Law, went speaking on religious freedom, the need on to discuss the theme of European for interreligious dialogue and the negative culture, analyzing its roots and to what impact of pushing any religious practice extent it shapes Central Europe today. underground.

pursuit for peace through many projects around the world. Then Mr. Christian Hausmann, a CDU politician from The last panel was moderated by Dr. Juraj Germany, based in Stuttgart, gave his Lajda, president of UPF-Czech Republic, perspective on how his political party who introduced the Parliamentarians for should adopt genuine Christian values. Peace initiative launched by UPF around the world. Dr. Katsumi Ostuka, who The event was concluded by a general call supervises UPF activities in Europe, to sign the IAPP resolution that was Eurasia and the Middle East, spoke about displayed on stage, and by Mrs. UPF founders Dr. and Mrs. Moon, about Novakova’s call for open-minded their personal experience in the turmoil of cooperation from all participants for the World War II and the Korean War in their sake of the future of Europe. The discussion on the family was initiated native land, and how it motivated their by Hon. Anna Záborská, Slovak member of the European Parliament, who described various trends and laws undermining the family in Europe. Mrs. Birgit Kelle, a German journalist and well-known pro- family activist, reviewed some strategies used by opponents, consisting for example in using core democratic values such as tolerance, diversity or equality to undermine natural family relationships, and proposed counter-strategies. Dr. Michal Heres, a Czech lawyer, spoke about legal issues regarding the monitoring of the internet and the protection of children. Finally, Dr Dieter Schmidt, a medical doctor, vice president of UPF Germany, drew attention on the health consequences of premature experiences with sexuality. The panel on human rights featured four speakers. Dr Harald Scheu, from Charles University of Law, spoke about the interconnection between the crisis of