… ’s request to the European Union for fair treatment of palm … Minister Retno Marsudi urged the European Union (EU) to give fair treatment … ;s request to the European Union for fair treatment of palm … , Marsudi noted.
The EU Commission endorsed the delegated act …
Indonesia urges EU to accord fair treatment to palm oil
European Council approves debt relief efforts for African countries
<div class="article-header">
<div class="mobee-no" align="center">
<div class="" align="center">
</div></div>
<div class="flex byline">
<div class="flex-auto byline-icon">
<a class="author-photo author-photo-square" href="author/Webby/" sl-processed="1">
</a>
</div>
<div class="flex-item">
<div class="list-pipes">
<ul>
<li class="date" data-bi-format="date" rel="1415920380">23 hours 39 minutes ago</li>
<li class="pageviews"><span class="sprites red views" title="views">1</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
<!-- <span class="hover-effect image_holder">
</span>-->
</div>
<div>Kindly Share This Story:</p></div><p> </p>
The European Council on Tuesday approved a set of conclusions in response to a call made in October 2020 to prepare a common approach in respect of debt relief for African countries.
According to a press statement, made available to PANA, the conclusions highlight the increasing debt vulnerability in low-income countries, particularly in Africa, and underscore the European Union’s support for a coordinated international approach on debt relief efforts for African countries.
The Council welcomed the G20 – Paris Club Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which offers a temporary debt moratorium to the poorest countries to help them manage the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its extension until 30 June 2021 with the possibility of a further extension by six months.
It commits to a full and transparent implementation of this initiative.
The Council also recognises that for countries with unsustainable debt levels further debt relief may be required. It welcomes the G20 agreement on a ‘Common Framework for Debt Treatments beyond the DSSI’ as a major step forward in the sovereign debt restructuring international architecture.
“In this context, it advocates the negotiation of debt restructuring where necessary, on a case-by-case basis, while ensuring strong conditionality on public financial management, anti-corruption frameworks and domestic resource mobilisation in the context of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme,” the statement said.
In addition, the Council stressed that debt transparency is critical for a sound assessment of debt sustainability, debtor government accountability, and to enable informed decisions for borrowers and creditors in the context of debt relief efforts.
“It takes the view that all public debt data should therefore be disclosed and supports international efforts aimed at strengthening debt transparency in low-income countries,” the statement concluded. (PANA/NAN)
Vanguard News Nigeria
Kindly Share This Story:
<p><a class="visit" href="news/general/index.1.html" rel="nofollow"><b>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM: General</b> </a>
<br /><div>
<hr />
<div class="">
Loading…
</div>
<div class="def-panel">
<div class="about-author" readability="7.6627634660422">
<div class="about-author-content" readability="34.48243559719">
<strong>Chuka (Webby) Aniemeka </strong>
<p>Chuka is an experienced certified web developer with an extensive background in computer science and 18+ years in web design &development. His previous experience ranges from redesigning existing website to solving complex technical problems with object-oriented programming. Very experienced with Microsoft SQL Server, PHP and advanced JavaScript. He loves to travel and watch movies.</p>
<a href="author/Webby/" class="read-more-link">View More Articles<i class="fa fa-chevron-right"> </i> </a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- <vte:include href="https://www.onlinenigeria.com/commnt.php1" /> -->
<!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools -->
EU helps set up online customs transit system to spur Asean trade
Credit: Read the original article from PNA Latest News.
CUSTOMS TRANSIT SYSTEM. The Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS) has been launched and offers an online customs transit management system for Southeast Asia. ACTS has been developed to allow businesses to lodge e-transit declarations directly with Asean customs authorities and track the movement of their goods from loading to delivery. (Photo Courtesy Asean Customs Transit System)
JAKARTA – The online Asean Customs Transit System (ACTS) was launched Monday to accelerate trade in goods by road within Southeast Asia.
Being developed with the support of the European Union (EU), ACTS is simplifying the movement of goods across the region, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Following trials in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, the system has now been formally launched.
The first successful ACTS transit movement occurred on Oct. 23-24 when a truck travelled from Singapore via Malaysia to Thailand.
The system will soon be available in Myanmar and depending on business needs, may later be expanded to Brunei, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Now transporters can make a single customs transit declaration that covers the transport of goods across multiple countries without the need to make repeated customs declarations or change vehicles at each border.
Special arrangements allow reliable traders to load their goods at their own premises in the country of departure, and to deliver the goods to their own premises at other places.
Faster customs clearance at borders helps accelerate transit and reduce the time and expenses needed for carrying out regional trade in goods.
Dato Lim Jock Hoi, the secretary-general of ASEAN, said “The implementation of the Asean Customs Transit System plays a vital role in facilitating seamless movement of goods in the region. I believe the system will be an excellent tool in enhancing Asean’s trade and production networks as well as establishing a more unified market for its firms and consumers.”
“ACTS could also support post-Covid recovery to accelerate the transit movement of medical supplies, vaccines and personal protective equipment within the member states.”
The system is managed by a permanent ACTS central management team based in the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, with support from the EU-funded ARISE Plus programme.
In 2017, Asean economic ministers set the twin goals of reducing trade transaction costs by 10 percent by 2020 and doubling intra-Asean trade between 2017 and 2025.
ACTS has been developed to realize this goal to allow businesses to lodge e-transit declarations directly with Asean customs authorities and track the movement of their goods from loading to delivery.
“ACTS is a remarkable achievement that is testament to the strong, dynamic and long-standing partnership between Asean and the European Union,” Koen Doens, director general for international co-operation and development at the European Commission, said.
The EU is proud to have joined Asean to make ACTS a reality, providing European technical expertise and 10 million euros since 2012.”
ARISE Plus has provided extensive ACTS training for stakeholders in the public and private sectors, including customs authorities, government transport agencies, freight forwarders, transporters, banks, and insurance companies. (VNS)
Ireland’s experience of economic crisis shaping EU policy, says Donohoe
Lessons from Ireland’s economic crisis are shaping the European Union’s economic response to the coronavirus pandemic, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said in an interview with The Irish Times.
<p class="no_name">Mr Donohoe said there was a “profound difference” in the approach of the EU to the Covid-19 challenge compared to the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis. He expressed the hope that spending to support businesses and incomes will help prevent the build-up of bad loans that could drag on economic growth for years.</p>
<p class="no_name">“We have experience in <a href="/news">Ireland</a> of what those challenges are,” said Mr Donohoe, who was elected president of the <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_organisation=Eurogroup" rel="nofollow">Eurogroup</a>, the powerful body of euro zone finance ministers, this summer. “I use the experience that I have on these issues within Ireland to influence the direction of policy for those areas.”</p>
<h4 class="crosshead">Borrowing costs</h4><p class="no_name">Intervention by the <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_organisation=European+Central+Bank" rel="nofollow">European Central Bank</a> to bid down borrowing costs, a massive stimulus programme, and wage support schemes across the bloc are all aimed to lessen the economic impact and duration of the pandemic, and prevent members states struggling with high interest rates on debt.</p>
<p class="no_name">“There is a very strong appreciation within the <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_organisation=European+Union" rel="nofollow">European Union</a> at the moment that we need to have budgetary policies that support the retention of jobs and support income while we are battling with a health crisis,” Mr Donohoe said. “That is a profound difference from where we were a decade ago, and that reflects our learnings from the crisis.”</p>
<aside class="related-articles--instream has-3">
</aside>
<p class="no_name">There have been some calls for the joint EU borrowing initiative that will fund its €750 billion recovery fund to be made a permanent feature of the bloc, a milestone in integration. The Eurogroup head opposes this.</p>
<p class="no_name">“I think we should only have this kind of common borrowing in dealing with common challenges of this scale,” Mr Donohoe said. “Outside of a crisis like this, it is up to national governments to fund national policies.”</p>
<p class="no_name">Mr Donohoe’s first success as Eurogroup president has been shepherding an agreement to widen the uses of the EU’s <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_event=European+Stability+Mechanism+bailout+fund" rel="nofollow">European Stability Mechanism bailout fund</a>. The changes were described by German finance minister <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_person=Olaf+Scholz" rel="nofollow">Olaf Scholz</a> as a reform “so technical that it is difficult to see their political impact at first”.</p>
<p class="no_name">In layman’s terms, Mr Donohoe described the reform as strengthening a “safety net and an additional support for banks that get into great difficulty”, preventing the future likelihood of taxpayer bank bailouts and consequences for public spending.</p>
<p class="no_name">Back home, with <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_company=NatWest" rel="nofollow">NatWest</a> weighing whether to close down its <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_organisation=Ulster" rel="nofollow">Ulster</a> Bank arm, Mr Donohoe said he had met the company leadership and emphasised its importance in the Irish banking system. “This is a process that NatWest are leading themselves, and I have to recognise that.”</p>
<h4 class="crosshead">Great competition</h4><p class="no_name">Member states have been lobbying for a share of the <a href="/news/world/brexit">Brexit</a> Adjustment Reserve – a pot of €5 billion agreed to help hard-hit EU member states. <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_location=France" rel="nofollow">France</a> has argued that much of it should go to support its fishing industry but the division will depend on the outcome of talks with the UK.</p>
<p class="no_name">“There’s not a European project in existence that there isn’t great competition for,” Mr Donohoe said. “I’m very confident that we will get an outcome that recognises how Ireland is affected by Brexit.”</p>
<p class="no_name">Irrespective of whether a deal is struck or not, Ireland’s economy after January 1st will be different to how it was when Britain was an EU member due to barriers that will make some kinds of trade unviable, he said.</p>
<p class="no_name">“The economy that we will move to will be different to the economy that we had with Britain within the European Union. That is the case,” Mr Donohoe said. “It’s why we spent four years working really hard to try to get them ready for this point. And yes, it will put pressure in particular on smaller Irish exporters and smaller businesses that trade heavily with the <a class="search" href="/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_location=United+Kingdom" rel="nofollow">United Kingdom</a>. ”</p>
Post-Brexit transfer rules for Premier League and EFL clubs confirmed with restrictions on signing EU players
With the United Kingdom leaving the European Union on December 31st, 2020, rules around transfers outside of the UK will change overnight and clubs will no longer be able to freely sign players from the EU.
The Home Office has approved the Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) proposal sent to the Government by the FA last month, which means EU players will now have to meet a points-based system to sign for UK clubs.
Clubs will also be barred from signing overseas players under the age of 18.
English football’s governing bodies have set out a plan points system under which players must obtain 15 points to gain a GBE and make the move to an English club.
Points will be given out based on international appearances at senior and youth level, the status of the selling club, their league and progression in cup competitions in their country and the Champions and Europa League.
Internationally capped players who play for a nation inside the top 50 of FIFA’s world rankings for the majority of their international career will automatically pass and earn a GBE, while those who play in one of Europe‘s top five, or Band 1 under the plan, will comfortably gain more than 15 points.
Clubs who identify a transfer target who racks up between 10 and 14 points can put their case to an Exceptions Panel in order to obtain a GBE.
Premier League clubs will only be able to sign three Under-21 players next month and six per season in the future. Claims made to the Exceptions Panel will cost clubs £5,000 and will not be available in January 2021.
There are similar criteria for youth players as well as the woman’s game while a points system will also be in operation for coaching staff and directors of football.
“Despite having different starting perspectives on how Brexit should impact football, this is another example of how the football authorities can work effectively together for the greater good of the game,” FA CEO, Mark Bullingham, said.
“We have a strong working relationship with both the Premier League and EFL and will monitor this new agreement together to ensure it evolves to best meet our joint objectives over time. We will also discuss improvements to the player pathway for the mutual benefit of football clubs and homegrown talent in this country.”
Premier League chief, Richard Masters, said: “The Premier League has worked with the FA to come to an agreement to ensure no part of Brexit should damage the success of the Premier League, or the prospects of the England teams. We welcome the news that the Home Office has approved the Governing Body Endorsement plan for the January 2021 transfer window.
“Continuing to be able to recruit the best players will see the Premier League remain competitive and compelling and the solution will complement our player development philosophy of the best foreign talent alongside the best homegrown players. Following the January transfer window, we look forward to reviewing the agreement with the FA.”
EFL Chief Executive, David Baldwin, said: “The EFL has contributed to the discussions with our colleagues across football as the game prepares for the UK’s exit from the EU, and it is helpful to be able to provide clarity for EFL Clubs by having an established position to a long-standing issue ahead of the January transfer window, albeit in the short term.
“The objective of the EFL throughout this process has been to ensure EFL Clubs continue to have the opportunity to sign players from overseas to enhance the quality of their playing squads, while recognising the need for restrictions, and we will continue to assess the application of these rules and consider the long-term implications early in 2021.”
Cooperation far outweighs differences between China, EU: Chinese FM
BEIJING, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — Cooperation far outweighs differences between China and the European Union (EU), said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a telephone conversation with Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anze Logar on Tuesday.
Wang said that China and Slovenia have witnessed sound development of bilateral ties, solid political mutual trust and strong economic complementarity.
Noting that the year of 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that Beijing will hold the Winter Olympic Games in the same year, Wang said China and Slovenia, a major winter sports power in Europe, should strengthen cooperation on winter sports, so as to add luster to the 30th anniversary, and open up new prospects for bilateral relations.
The two countries have supported each other in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further enriched the connotation of bilateral relations, he said.
China attaches great importance to Slovenia’s need to purchase anti-epidemic materials from China, and will continue to provide all conveniences, Wang said, adding he believes that Slovenia will win a complete victory over the pandemic.
Wang said that China stands ready to work with all countries, including Slovenia, to jointly oppose politicizing the pandemic, promote the development of global public health, and build a community of health for all.
There is no conflict of fundamental interests between China and the EU, and cooperation far outweighs differences between the two sides, said Wang, noting that both China and the EU firmly support multilateralism, the central role of the United Nations in international affairs, and settling disputes by peaceful means.
Wang said that China and the EU should step up dialogue and exchanges and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises of both sides in the spirit of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
Slovenia will assume the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of next year. China expects Slovenia to take this opportunity to promote the process of European integration and greater development of China-EU relations and China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation, the Chinese foreign minister said.
Logar thanked China for providing anti-epidemic materials and purchasing convenience to Slovenia, and wished the Beijing Winter Olympics a complete success, saying that Slovenia is willing to plan activities with China to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
Slovenia will hold the rotating presidency of the EU next year, and hopes to take the opportunity of promoting the agenda of tackling climate change and protecting biodiversity to strengthen cooperation with China and push forward the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership, said Logar.
The Slovenian top diplomat noted that China plays an important role in dealing with global problems, saying no global challenge can be met without China’s participation.
Slovenia believes that Europe and China should adhere to the principle of mutual respect and manage differences in a constructive way. Slovenia has been committed to promoting China-CEEC cooperation, believing that this mechanism is a valuable opportunity for CEE countries to conduct mutually beneficial cooperation with China, and will also be conducive to promoting EU-China cooperation, Logar said.
Hamnet crowned Waterstones Book of the Year 2020
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell has been named Waterstones’ Book of the Year 2020, claiming victory over the shortlist by “an overwhelming majority”.
The book, already the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, and the Reader’s Choice winner at this year’s BAMB Awards, shines a light on the short life of Shakespeare’s son and is published by Tinder Press. It was selected by Waterstones’ booksellers as the title they have most enjoyed recommending to customers over the course of the year, winning by a substantial margin according to the retailer.
“I’m over the moon that Hamnet has been chosen as Waterstones’ Book of the Year,” said O’Farrell. “It is one of my favourite awards and I make a point of reading the winning book each year. It’s a huge honour to be added to this list, especially as I know that the award is nominated by those most discerning of readers: booksellers. Without their expert guidance and knowledge, my reading shelves would be much the poorer. This year has been a strange and challenging year for all of us: what better time to listen to the narratives of others and lose ourselves in a book?”
Waterstones praised Hamnet‘s celebration of how family, community, nature and art can offer hope through the darkest of times, calling this “an especially prescient message for this turbulent year”. Callie Limb of Waterstones Burton on Trent described it “heart-wrenching, beautiful and deft in phrase” and Alex McQueen of Waterstones Islington said Hamnet was “simply the best book I’ve read this year. Timely, poetic and with an almost filmic ability to morph between perspective and scene”. Will Rycroft, of Waterstones E-commerce, added that the book is “a brilliant novel of character, humanity and love at exactly the time when we need all of those things”.
Bea Carvalho, Waterstones’ Fiction Buyer, said Hamnet was “the clear standout title” for its booksellers, further praising it as “a masterwork”.
“We have been hugely impressed by the abundance of brilliant books published this year and, for our booksellers, Hamnet is the clear standout title: a work of immense style and emotional heft which will surely go on to be a future classic,” she said. “Maggie O’Farrell’s novel is a literary treat which offers texture to the history of our most famous playwright, a portrait of parenthood’s dazzling highs and devastating lows, and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit: this wonderful novel truly has something for readers of all tastes. It is a masterwork by an author at the height of her power, and we’re delighted to share it with many more of our customers as our Book of the Year.”
Other books that had been shortlisted were Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half; Bolu Babalola’s Love in Colour; Craig Brown’s One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time; Naoise Dolan’s Exciting Times; Gavin Francis’ Island Dreams; Michiko Kakutani’s Ex Libris; Dara McAnulty’s Diary of a Young Naturalist; David Olusoga’s Black and British: A Short, Essential History; Katherine Rundell’s The Book of Hopes; Philippe Sands’ The Ratline; and Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year from Britta Teckentrup and Fiona Waters.
Waterstones will now be offering an exclusive edition of Hamnet, featuring a red cloth-effect, gold-foiled jacket, a red ribbon marker and top and tail bands, bespoke endpapers and exclusive material written by the author. As Book of the Year, it will receive the “full and committed backing” of Waterstones shops and booksellers across the UK, as well as support online and through its loyalty card programme, Waterstones Plus, which reaches almost a million readers.
Last year’s winner was The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (Ebury), and according to Waterstones it benefited by seeing a sales boost of almost 400% after the announcement, going on to become Waterstones’ bestselling Book of the Year to date.
Turkey pauses Mediterranean oil search on further EU sanctions threat
Turkey pulled an energy exploration ship from the Eastern Mediterranean in overtures to European leaders who’ll be pondering imposing tougher sanctions on Ankara next week, Bloomberg reports.
In a Twitter post yesterday, Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez confirmed the Oruc Reis survey ship was brought home.
“The Oruc Reis seismic research vessel had returned from the Eastern Mediterranean to the southern port of Antalya after completing its current research activities,” he wrote.
Oruç Reis Sismik Araştırma Gemimiz, 10 Ağustos’ta başladığı Demre sahasındaki iki boyutlu (2B) sismik araştırmalarını tamamladı. 10.955 km 2B sismik veri toplayan gemimiz, Antalya Limanı’na döndü. pic.twitter.com/8WWhcLQ16s
— Enerji ve Tabii Kaynaklar Bakanlığı (@TCEnerji) November 30, 2020
Meanwhile, Turkey has consistently contested efforts by EU members Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration to restrict its legitimate energy research in the Eastern Mediterranean.
While warning against additional EU sanctions, Turkey has already signaled its readiness for confidence-building measures and negotiations with Greece over territorial disputes, and recently sent an envoy to Brussels in an effort to de-escalate tensions.
On the other hand, European Union spokesperson Peter Stona yesterday said that the EU will assess its relations with Turkey not over one action, but on Ankara’s actions over a period of time.
“The leaders of the EU and the EU member states will get together during the next European Council in December and they will review whether Turkey delivered on their expectations,” Stona said.
EU leaders will meet on 11-12 December to discuss several issues, including the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and possible sanctions against Turkey.
READ: France, EU lawmakers push for sanctions on Turkey next month
Merkel: EU, Turkey made no enough progress in improving relations
The European Union and Turkey have not made enough progress in improving relations, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
She noted that Turkey’s activities in the eastern Mediterranean, where the country is exploring for hydrocarbons in the waters of Greece and Cyprus, is a serious obstacle to improving bilateral relations with the EU, Kathimerini reported.
According to her, Turkey’s actions are very aggressive or even provocative.
Merkel welcomed Turkey’s announcement to withdraw its seismic research vessel to port ahead of the EU summit in mid-December. However, she noted that Turkey is still conducting seismic surveys off the coast of Cyprus.
EU leaders will discuss possible sanctions on Turkey at a summit scheduled to start on December 10.
Gatherings in Indonesia provide fertile ground for hope
JAKARTA, Indonesia — What began as a small online space organized by Indonesia’s Bahá’í Office of External Affairs to explore foundational spiritual principles amid the global health crisis has expanded to include over 200 social actors, government officials, and representatives of diverse religious communities.
Musdah Mulia, a prominent Islamic scholar and women’s rights activist who has collaborated with the Office in holding the gatherings, comments on the character of the spaces, stating: “They are very positive and constructive in efforts to build peace in Indonesia. They involve people from different beliefs and religious backgrounds and help to bridge the differences among them. These gatherings have become a meeting place to foster friendship with each other and to eliminate prejudice and stigma.
“We have to reorient our religious views to make a positive contribution to humanity. We should not be attached to the symbols and accessories of religion.”
Rina Tjuna Leena of the Bahá’í Office of External Affairs, says that the diversity of Indonesia’s 270 million people as well as its founding principles—known as Pancasila—create fertile ground for hopeful conversations. “Many people feel a longing for a society that truly reflects the principles of peace and unity that are core ideals of the country: that faith should unify us rather than divide; that we are one people across the 17,000 islands of Indonesia; that our society strives for fair-mindedness and social justice for everyone.”
Acknowledging the significance of the meetings, the head of the Centre of Religious Harmony in the Ministry of Religion, who was a moderator at a recent gathering, asked for the rich insights that are emerging from these discussions to be sent as recommendations to the ministry for consideration in policy development.
Among the issues being examined in the gatherings has been social inequality and the divisions between majority and minority groups. Noting the need for conversations to get at the root causes of stark divisions, Mrs. Leena says, “Society today is based on the assumption that human beings are different from each other, are in competition, and will use power to manipulate others.
“Unless the principle of oneness is understood fully, there will never be a long-lasting solution to the issues we face. This requires a new conception of the relationships between all members and elements of society in terms of the power of unity and love. Such relationships would not become a means of domination but of encouragement and inspiration.”
Participants of the gatherings are drawing on insights from the discussions to stimulate thinking in their own areas of work.
Agnes Dwi Rusjiyati of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission reflected at one seminar about the implications of the Bahá’í principle of unity in diversity for her work as a media regulator. “The media does much to shape perception. Too often, it has been used as a tool to stoke division. But we can take steps to create a media environment that acts in a more positive direction, such as providing encouragement through coverage of those things that unify people and strengthen the social fabric.”
When discussion turned to the role of religion in a world of rapid technological change, Amanah Nurish, a professor of religious studies, pointed to the Bahá’í teaching of the harmony of science and religion. “This principle helps us see the critical role that both science and religion play in the modern world. Scientific progress needs to be guided by a spiritual and moral commitment to apply it appropriately. At the same time, developing a scientific way of thinking helps us tell what is true from what is false and frees us from religious ignorance and prejudice that have become a source of conflict.”
As participants have come together for intellectually stimulating discussions, many have found an even deeper connection through regular prayer gatherings held by the Office of External Affairs. Prayer is recognized as an important part of life in Indonesia, but coming together across faiths to share in this act was a new experience for many.
Mrs. Leena says, “In a short span of time, these seminars have shown in a small way the kinds of conditions in which barriers can come down. This is one of many steps that needs to be taken in a long process of social transformation.”
