Parliamentarians from six nations, Global Peace Leadership Conference

ULAANBAATAR 26 August 2011—Thirteen incumbent parliamentarians and four former parliamentarians representing six nations explored innovative, peace-promoting initiatives in Northeast Asia as part of the Global Peace Leadership Conference on August 25-27, 2011. The Parliamentary Roundtable  specifically examined the role of Mongolia—a newly democratic, nonaligned nation—and the importance of civil society initiatives in conjunction with official diplomatic programs to advance regional peace.

South Korean Congresswoman Hon. Young-Sun Song chaired the first session and United States Congressman Hon. Eni Faleomavaega chaired the second session.

A summary report of the conclusions and takeaways was presented to the Global Peace Leadership Conference during the closing plenary by Senator Mushahid Husain of Pakistan, former chair of the foreign relations committee of the Pakistan Parliament. The significant discussions included the areas of:

Senator Mushahid Husain of Pakistan reports to the closing plenary at the Global Peace Leadership Conference.

Promoting peace, security, and stability in the Republic of Korea

Discussion included the potential of such initiatives as the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, a forum of political parties of Asia-Oceanic countries that promotes exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries on shared objectives.

Legislators also focused on the importance of track-two service initiatives in Korea, including the possibility of a peace conference in Pyongyang in 2012, with an acknowledgement that peace in Korea is vital to peace in the region. Discussions also looked into the significant contribution Mongolia could make in the peace process and security Northeast Asian peace.

Economic Development

Highlighted topics included the areas of the economy, energy, the environment. Discussions included cooperative efforts for rail transportation, roads, and pipelines. Legislators also considered tree planting to combat desertification and other environmental initiatives as a potential platforms to bring together the nations in Northeast Asia.

Youth Initiatives and Culture, Sports and Civic Engagement

Sports competition was discussed as a vehicle to promote a sense of national pride and identity.  Other ways to engage civil society in the peace process through service, sports and culture are topics that will continue to be explored.

The emergence of the political leadership of women in the Philippines and Malaysia was also discussed during the Roundtable.

**The Global Peace Festival Foundation was renamed Global Peace Foundation in November 2012.

Parliamentary Roundtable Participants

Hon. Saikhanbileg Chimed
Member of the State Great Hural, Mongolia

Hon. Ganbyamba Navaan Samdan, PhD 
Member of the State Great Hural, Mongolia

Hon.Young Sun Song
Member of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea

Hon. Eni F.H. Faleomavaega,Congressman
United States House of Representatives

Hon. UjhelyiIstvan
Vice Chairman, National Assembly of Hungary

Hon. Choong Whan Kim
Member of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea

Hon. Dr. Shang Hi Rhee
Former Member of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea

Hon. Sang Hwe Lee
Former Member of the National Assembly, Republic of Korea

Hon. Heung Soo Yoo
Former Memberofthe National Assembly, Republic ofKorea

Hon. Yeow Chai Thiam
Senator, Parliament of Malaysia

Mr. Boon Som Inong
Senator, Parliament of Malaysia

Hon. Mushahid Hussain Sayed
Secretary General,  Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI)
Former Senator and Chairman, Foreign Relations Committee, Pakistan

Hon. Maria Georgina Vera Perez de Venecia
House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

Hon. Bernadette Cruz-Herrera Dy
House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

Hon. Aliah Dimaporo
House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

Hon. Josefina Manuel Joson
House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

Mr. Edgardo O. Castro
Director for International Relations and Strategic Partnerships,
Centrist Asia Pacific Democrats International (CAPDI)