WORLD CONFERENCE OF RELIGIONS FOR PEACE

LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
DECLARATION OF PANAMA
versión en español

In the city of Panama , on June 22-23, 2006, the members of the Latin American and Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders (LACCRL) have met in its first Session, under the subject: "Beyond shared security to human security". The LACCRL is affiliated with the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), and is its regional leadership body at Latin America and the Caribbean .

After considering the situation regional, like also the principles of the WCRP, we have decided that the mission of the LACCRL will be to advance towards the inter-religious cooperation for peace building, conflict transformation and sustainable development. The LACCRL also will work to support the action of the Latin American and Caribbean 's National Inter-Religious Councils (IRCs) affiliated with Religions for Peace . The LACCRL will be also committed to establish partnerships with the United Nations' agencies and regional inter-governmental institutions, and to take actions with the Latin American and Caribbean States in times of emergency or crisis, in cooperation with the relevant IRCs.

The LACCRL strives to be the collective voice of religious communities at Latin America and the Caribbean, working for p romotion of justice, peace, fraternity and inclusively, defense of democratic governability and human rights, inter-religious co-participation in national dialogues, action for overcome institutionalized violence and drug trafficking, fight against poverty, combat against HIV/AIDS, environment care, education for peace and diversity, and women of faith's participation in inter-religious cooperation.

The conformation of the LACCRL began with the celebration of the Consultation on Strategy Development for Inter-Religious Dialogue and Cooperation in Latin America , held in Sao Paulo , on February 2-4, 2004, and continued with the meeting of its Preparatory Committee, in Buenos Aires , on December 21-22, 2004. Our current first Session was preceded on June 20-23, 2006, by a Consultation with the Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF/TACRO), to explore joint work opportunities.

In order to assure the working continuity of the LACCRL, we have decided to conform an Executive Committee integrated by H.E. Cardinal Julio Terrazas, C.SS.R., of the Latin American Catholic Episcopal Council (CELAM), who will serve as his moderator, Rt. Rev. Julio Cesar Holguin, of the Latin American Council of Churches (CLAI), Dr. Oluwakemi Banks, of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC), Rev. Samuel Olson, of the Ibero-American Forum of Evangelical Dialogue (FIDE), Rabbi Henry Sobel, of the Latin American Jewish Congress (CJL), Mr. Muhammad Yusuf Hallar, of the Islamic Organization for Latin America and the Caribbean (OIPAL), Priestess Beatriz Schultess, of the Indigenous Peoples' Spiritual Council , and the Rev. Judith VanOsdol, of the Latin American and Caribbean Women of Faith Network (LACWFN).