Peace Times 12

From June 24th to 27th the «Crans Montana Forum» was held in Switzerland, this year celebrating its tenth anniversary. Founder and Chairman of the Forum, Jean Paul Carteron, a Knight of the Legion d’Honneur, set up the «Fondation du Forum Universale» to create a different and unique concept, looking for direct contacts and immediate results. This year’s four day annual session brought together high ranking politicians and worldstage personalities, including the Secretary General of the United Nations, as well as spiritual leaders and members of Civil Society. The packed agenda covered crucial issues facing our global community: the world, the 21st Century and the Energy challenge; the integration of African States and international cooperation; agenda for a new century: the future of the european union in the world; Central and Eastern Europe: ten years for strenghtening democracy and economic development; the crisis in the Balkans: what future for the region. On Saturday 26th, National Polish Day, discussions included: the Enlargement of the European Union: perspectives and challenges; Tourism: a key issue for economic development; as well as a section dedicated to the Holy Year 2000 with the participation of Mr Shimon Shetreet, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rector Dalil Boubakeur of the Insitute of the Mosque, Paris; Mgr Richard Mathes, Chargé of the Holy See in Jerusalem and a representative of the Lama Gangchen World Peace Foundation who presented the proposal for the creation of a permanent United Nations Spiritual Forum for World Peace. On the 27th, the world in 2020: major economic and social challenges, was discussed in the Plenary, with talks on cooperation between Baltic states and their perspectives for the 21st century.

Isthar D. Adler