Los Angeles Declaration

2^nd Global Ethics Symposium

“Current Influence of Secular Morality and Religious Conscience”

A historical gathering of one hundred fifty distinguished international leaders, scholars, educators, and professionals from fifteen countries, as well as speakers on behalf of the Bahá'í Faith, Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism convened in interfaith dialogue at UCLA, from June 27 - 30, 2002. They explored "Current Influences of Secular Morality and Religious Conscience." They addressed many issues, including: ethics, economic and social justice, poverty, education, health, religious dialogue, and further development of the Pride Youth Ambassador Peace Program.

Messages of greetings, support and encouragement were received from officials, leaders and scholars, including a message from Mr. Chen Jian, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and from His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan.

The participants emphasized the need to strengthen world peace, economic and social justice, and the elimination of poverty, and the resolution of disputes and conflicts through dialogue, not confrontation. They examined the role of global ethics in a multilateral setting and stressed the need to celebrate unity among diversity. They condemned terrorism in all its forms and underlined the positive role the major faiths can play in promoting peace and reconciliation among nations facing local and regional conflicts. The participants also stressed the role youth can play in the enhancement of ties between nations and peoples of the world. These universal values echo the sentiments expressed in UN Agenda 21 and call for ways to promote such essentially spiritual values in education systems around the globe.

The participants in the Symposium considered the special situation of orphans and abandoned children all over the world. With a view to drawing attention of the international community to this dramatic situation and to alleviating the plight of these innocent children, the participants call on the United Nations to consider the feasibility of declaring an International Day for Orphans and Abandoned Children.

The participants in the Symposium wish to extend their appreciation to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of World Religions, and the University of California at Los Angeles, School of Public Health, and the Pacific Rim Institute for Development & Education (PRIDE) for their decisive contribution to the success of the symposium.

Los Angeles, June 30, 2002