The International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace, IPTP, was inaugurated at the weekend in the Maltese capital, Valetta, with Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Senate President of Nigeria emerging the Chairman of the Committee on Legal and Legislative Affairs, while Hon. Taulant Balla of the Parliament of Albania as the pioneer President.
Recall that Senator Ekweremadu was appointed into the Parliament in February 2018; the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace (GCTP).
The aim of the Parliament is to promote cooperation and exchange of ideas and experiences on many national and international such as terrorism, extremism, violence, religious, ethnic, sectarian and racial strife threatening global peace and security.
“I advocated justice, dialogue, and tolerance as key instruments for building peace at all levels of the society.
“I believe that dialogue, tolerance, and soft power are not only capable of averting conflicts, but they also win the peace, and win people over. Even when nations and societies resort to violence and military force, they ultimately end up around the table to agree on peace terms or sign the instruments of surrender. Besides, winning the war is not the same as winning the peace.
“Importantly, whatever we do, we must bear in mind that justice is a bedrock and natural enabler of peace. Justice is so central to peace, security, and prosperity of the human society that the Oath of Office contained in most constitutions seek to ensure that leaders do justice to all manner of people.
Societies run into storms when leaders observe this all-important oath in the breach and elevate bigotry and inequity to state policy. They forget that no man, who feels unjustly treated will be interested in peace. We must do justice, giving every segment of the society a sense of belonging.
“It was great joining other 53 members/representatives national and regional parliaments in this initiative. I had an awesome time with the President of the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace, Hon. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Jarwan; Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, the host parliament, Hon. Anġlu Farrugia, among others”, Ekweremadu said concerning the new development.
