UOIT dean to present at the United Nations for human rights anniversary celebration

Proving once again that UOIT faculty are well-respected academic and industry leaders from around the world, Dr. Nawal Ammar, dean of the Faculty of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, has been invited to present at the United Nations Headquarters as part of the upcoming Buddhist-Muslim dialogue series. UOIT is the only university participating in the dialogue.

The 10th dialogue of the series will be held in New York on September 3 and 4 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is aimed at reminding individuals about the ecological crisis facing the world.

Dr. Ammar's presentation, Ecological Health and Earth Rights, will have a Muslim theology focus and will compare the commonalities between the Islamic and Buddhist faiths and explain how the Muslim community can contribute to improving the global ecological crisis based on Islamic tenants. She will also touch on the distinctive contributions that can be made by Muslim women.

"I am extremely honoured to be invited to present at this incredibly important conference," said Dr. Ammar. "The Muslim and Buddhist faiths have similar views and I value this opportunity to help foster relationships and further educate individuals about Islam and how we can work together on this issue. I'm also pleased to be able to share information about the impactful work being carried out by Muslim women."

Organized by the Global Family for Love and Peace (GFLP), Philippine Mission and Museum of World Religions, the dialogue series was created as an opportunity to cultivate relationships between Muslims and Buddhists, bringing both religions together in response to global issues including political, religious, economic and cultural crises. The first Buddhist/Muslim dialogue was held on March 7, 2002 at Columbia University in New York. Since that time it has received international recognition with additional dialogues being held in Malaysia, Indonesia, France, Iran, Spain, North Africa, China and Taiwan.

"We do not live in science, we live in culture," said Dr. Ammar. "Religion is a system within our culture that influences families, school and our children. Everyone has a role to play in preserving our ecological well-being."

The two-day conference will also include presentations on Peace and Human Rights and Poverty and Social Inequality with Muslim and Buddhist representatives for each. In addition to fostering relationships, the conference aims to recognize women's contribution to peace, inspire the importance of spiritual life and encourage ecological protection. The content of the dialogue will be published.

"Maintaining our environment for the next generation not only involves conservation and balance, but also justice," she said. "We have to think big. We have to be just and we have to be fair."

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