- The Appeal of Conscience Foundation
History
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 [ [http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_90926_ENG_HTM.htm Episcopal Life Online, Interfaith leaders focus on importance of religious freedom, October 12, 2007] ] , 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 , theVatican City ,Hungary ,India ,Indonesia ,Ireland ,Japan ,Morocco ,Panama ,Poland ,Romania ,Russia ,Slovak Republic ,Switzerland ,Spain ,Turkey ,Ukraine ,United Kingdom and the formerYugoslavia .The Foundation frequently hosts diplomatic and clerical groups from abroad to acquaint them with the religious life in America society [ [http://www.kosovo.net/news/archive/2006/March_25/2.html Serbian Orthodox Church delegation visits Appeal of Conscience Foundation and National Council of Churches, March 23, 2006] ] .
Listing of The Appeal of Conscience Actions
* Nov 9, 2005 - Declaration of the Peace and Tolerance II Conference: Dialogue and Understanding in Southeast Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia
* Jul 28, 2005 - Call for Action onDarfur * Dec 1, 2000 - A Call to Stop Desecration of Holy Sites by a delegation to the United Nations [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D06EFDA1E3CF932A35755C0A9679C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Organizations/U/United%20Nations New York Times, U.N. Assembly Votes to Condemn Attacks on Religious Sites June 1, 2001] ] [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A01E3D61238F935A15751C1A9669C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Organizations/U/United%20Nations6 U.S. Clerics Seek to Safeguard Religious Sites, by BARBARA CROSSETTE, December 26, 2000] ]
* Mar 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
* Mar 30, 1995 - The Vienna Declaration Signed at the Appeal of Conscience Conflict Resolution Conference* Feb 9, 1994 -
Bosphorus Declaration was signed at the Appeal of Conscience Conference on Peace and Tolerance* Nov 26, 1992 – The
Berne Declaration for Peace in Bosnia and HerzegovinaReferences
ee also
* [http://www.state.gov/s/d/2007/82412.htm John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State’s Remarks to Appeal of Conscience Foundation, March 27, 2007]
* [http://www.appealofconscience.org Appeal of Conscience Website]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.