The Appeal of Conscience Foundation
Founded by Rabbi Arthur Schneier in 1965, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation is an interfaith partnership of corporate and spiritual leaders from all faiths who come together to promote “peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution.”
Mission
The Appeal’s philosophy is that freedom, democracy and human rights are basic principles,[1] and if they are granted, nations of the world have their best hope for “peace, security and shared prosperity.”
"A crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion,” is the organization’s mantra. Following the act of September 11th, the ACF has rallied religious leaders worldwide to take a stand against terrorism and to use their influence to halt violence and promote tolerance.
Activities
Delegations from the group meet and have met with religious and government leaders throughout the world promoting peace and democracy. Some of its work has been in conducted in Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Bulgaria, People's Republic of China, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Cuba, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Germany, the Vatican City, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and the former Yugoslavia.
The Foundation frequently hosts diplomatic and clerical groups from abroad to acquaint them with the religious life in America society.[2]
World Statesman of the Year
In 2009 the Foundation awarded the title of 'World Statesman of the Year' to the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, for his intellectual and compassionate leadership during the global financial crisis. Previous awardees include: the French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel. [3] The 2012 recipient was Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, in spite of his disdain of and disregard for democracy, ignorance of Canadian First Nations citizens, ignorance of climate change and green energy, legislating labour unions back to work during legitamite work actions, and muzzling federal scientists and librarians.
Listing of The Appeal of Conscience Actions
- November 9, 2005 - Declaration of the Peace and Tolerance II Conference: Dialogue and Understanding in Southeast Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia
- July 28, 2005 - Call for Action on Darfur
- December 1, 2000 - A Call to Stop Desecration of Holy Sites by a delegation to the United Nations[4][5]
- March 18, 1999 - Kosovo Peace and Tolerance Vienna Declaration (With former U.S. Congress member Joe DioGuardi of the Albanian American Civic League)
- May 21, 1998 - Joint Declaration of the Delegation of Religious Leaders from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Appeal of Conscience Foundation
- March 30, 1995 - The Vienna Declaration Signed at the Appeal of Conscience Conflict Resolution Conference
- February 9, 1994 - Bosphorus Declaration was signed at the Appeal of Conscience Conference on Peace and Tolerance
- November 26, 1992 – The Berne Declaration for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina
References
- ^ Episcopal Life Online, Interfaith leaders focus on importance of religious freedom, October 12, 2007
- ^ Serbian Orthodox Church delegation visits Appeal of Conscience Foundation and National Council of Churches, March 23, 2006
- ^ "US foundation names Gordon Brown world statesman of the year". London: the guardian. March 3, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-31. Unknown parameter
|publish date=ignored (help) - ^ New York Times, U.N. Assembly Votes to Condemn Attacks on Religious Sites June 1, 2001
- ^ U.S. Clerics Seek to Safeguard Religious Sites, by BARBARA CROSSETTE, December 26, 2000
