World Leaders coming together at the World Economic Forum’s Global Reconciliation Summit June 21-23 will support OneVoice, an unprecedented undertaking bringing together Palestinian and Israeli moderates to negotiate an end to the conflict. OneVoice’s historic work in the region exemplifies the Summit’s theme of “Visions for a Shared Future”.
Last month, OneVoice launched an effort to get 10,000 Palestinian and Israeli moderates to agree to its “Proclamation of Principles for Reconciliation” by the end of summer. The project has nearly exceeded that goal in less than a month as thousands of people from all walks of life have agreed to stand together in pursuit of a better future. The Proclamation is the first step of an interactive negotiation process to achieve consensus on ten critical issues.
“Only the voices of a few violent extremists are being heard around the world, while thousands from both sides are actively engaged in a meaningful process to negotiate an end to the conflict”, said OneVoice founder Daniel Lubetzky, who was named as one of the World Economic Forum’s Global Leaders of Tomorrow in 1997. “Ignoring these developments only plays into the agenda of hatred”.
OneVoice Mideast Director Mohammed Darawshe, who will be attending the conference, added. “While horrific images glared from television sets, Palestinians were traveling by donkey from village to village recruiting thousands to participate in what can only be called the ‘Peoples’ roadmap’”.
Supporters of the Proclamation will soon make history again as they take part in OneVoice’s interactive process to develop a concrete plan to end the conflict. Seizing control of their own destinies, participants will negotiate via the Internet, print ads, a confidential toll-free number, and other venues.
OneVoice is not an online petition; it is an actual negotiation process supported by software designed and contributed by IBM. Computer terminals will be placed throughout the region to enable those without personal computer access to participate.
Recognizing that moderate voices are critical to reaching a workable solution, more than 1,500 Palestinian and Israeli leaders have endorsed the effort, including Yasser Mahmoud Abbas, a prominent businessman, the Chief Islamic Justice of Palestine, Israeli Knesset and Cabinet Members, Palestinian and Cabinet Members and Rabbi Michael Melchoir, former Israeli deputy minister of foreign affairs.
OneVoice will distribute brochures and gather signed statements of support for the Proclamation from leaders throughout the three-day summit. The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a collaborative framework for the world's leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
