Won Buddhism to bring ethics to G20 politics

Article Date	11-05-2010 16:37	Scrap Date	11-02-2010 19:25
Title	Won Buddhism to bring ethics to G20 politics
Topic	Won Buddhism of Manhattan, a U.N.-accredited NGO, opens the second annual G20 Universal Ethics Summit in Seoul, Sunday.
Text	By Ines Min   Won Buddhism of Manhattan, a U.N.-*accredited NGO, opens the second annual G20 Universal Ethics Summit in Seoul, Sunday.   The seven-day, *multi-faceted event looks to bring a return of global focus to ethics and leadership principles. The religion and culture summit seeks to *recalibrate the fundamental goals of influential figures in order to avoid further economic crises.   Comprising of lectures, panels and an inter-religious retreat, more than 60 participants are expected to attend the events of the G20 Universal Ethics Summit. The international meeting’s highlights are divided into three days of focused discussion, while the retreat lasts for longer than the duration of the activities.   The “G20 Moral Politics” forum opens Nov. 9 in Highwon Village at 9 a.m. The first full day of events will focus on creating a *draft statement on ethics for the eventual signing by 25 leaders of countries. Ven. Dr. Chung Ok-lee, executive director of the U.N. Affairs and Interreligious Work office of Won Buddhism, will provide a welcoming address, while opening remarks will be given by Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung-won, and Minister of Culture and Tourism Yoo In-chon.   Nov. 10 sees the opening of the “G20 Women Leaders Summit” at the Eundeok Culture Center at 9 a.m. Minister of Women and Family Baek Hee-young will welcome the audience, along with Kim Hae-sook, associate professor of sociology at the Long Island University. Keynote speakers include Monica Willard, a U.N. representative of the United Religions Initiative, along with Ewha Womans University professor Dr. Chang Pil-hwa.   “G20 Dialogue Among Civilizations, Cultures and Religions” opens Nov. 11, the first day of the official G20 summit in Seoul, at the Won Buddhism Headquarters in Iksan Holy Land, North Jeolla Province, at noon. President of Wonkwang University Na Young-ho will welcome guests, while speakers range from Dr. Lucinda Allen Mosher, interreligious relations consultant and educator, to Rev. John Baldock of the Saint John’s Anglican Church in Australia.   Other noted guests include Dr. Paul Chaleff, professor of fine arts at Hofstra University; Carman Moore, composer and conductor of 21st century spirituality; and Masami Saionji, president of the Goi Peace Foundation in Japan. The retreat will be held at the Iksan Holy Land from Sunday to Nov. 13.   Won Buddhism is an indigenous modern branch of Korean Buddhism and the official New York office was established in 1992, in order to socially engage in cultural and societal issues. The religion was founded by Sotaesan in the early 20th century. A representative of the religious *sect previously occupied the position of President of Religious NGS at the United Nations.
My Opinion	As a Won Buddhist, I'm glad to read this article. Won Buddhism takes the initiative for being in harmony with other religion. Inter-religion harmony is so important that global villagers can be united. That's because not only obeying religious principle but also creating international moral principle is inevitable. Taking this opportunity, I hope that everyone becomes united.
Vocabulary	*accredit : a. 인정된 *multi-faceted : a. 다방면의 *recalibrate : vt. 재조정하다 *draft statement : 선언문 *sect : n. 종파
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Participants of the inaugural G20 Universal Ethics Summit gather for the event at the U.N. Headquarters in Manhattan in April 2000. The second event takes place from Sunday through Nov. 13, in Seoul and North Jeolla Province, to seek a common ground within the ethical and religious realms for a stabler economic outlook. / Courtesy of Won Buddhism of Manhattan