BFRCD (Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse) participates in “Creating Value: Fostering the Human Spirit” program in Dubai
Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, Mr. Suhail bin Ghazi Al-Gosaibi stressed the importance of concentrating global efforts to spread peace and affection throughout the world, highlighting the need to spare human societies the risk of conflicts and wars, and to provide a safe and healthy environment for the growth of children away from the political pressure, religious and sectarian conflicts.
This came in a press statement made by Mr. Al-Gosaibi after his participation on Sunday evening, 13th December, 2015, within the annual program held by the global organization, “Soka Gakkai” (Gulf Branch) in collaboration with the “Knowledge Village” in Dubai under the theme “Creating Value: Fostering the Human Spirit”.
Mr. Al-Gosaibi has received an invitation to attend, as a guest of honor in his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, in a lecture entitled “Providing Safe Havens for Children of the World,” presented by the researcher Ms. Betty Williams, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 year. The lecture was held in the main theater of the Knowledge Village in the Emirate of Dubai.
Mr. Al Gosaibi expressed, in his statement, his thanks and appreciation for the global organization, “Soka Gakkai” for the invitation, he received to attend as a guest of honor at the first lecture of the program as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, expressing his pride of the place that Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse is occupying among the international organizations concerned with the achievement of peace and the dissemination of affection, discourse and cooperation culture.
Mr. Al Gosaibi revealed that the foundation is in the process of launching a quality work plan to strengthen its activity on an internal and external levels, valuing the great support given to the foundation since its inception in 2012, and so far from the presence of the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and by concerned public and private bodies.
In a related development, Mr. Suhail Al Gosaibi met Ms. Betty Williams on the sidelines of her lecture that she delivered in Dubai, and expressed his great appreciation for the high human values contained in the lecture, praising the broad expertise possessed by Ms. Williams, and her important experiences in her career record of humanitarian work.
Al Gosaibi also reviewed with Williams distinguished Bahraini cultural features of in the field of coexistence and peace, and gave her an explanation on the objectives and the message carried by the Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse. He also invited Ms. Williams to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain and give a lecture on peace and discourse so she can find out about Bahraini distinctive experience.
It is noteworthy that the global organization “Soka Gakkai” is a global organization dedicated to peace, culture and education. It has recently launched its annual program under the theme ” Creating Value: Fostering the Human Spirit ” in collaboration with the Knowledge Village in Dubai.
Peace & Compassion Book Study Group
Based on the peace and compassion workshops we held earlier this year, which were facilitated by World Economic Forum Social Entrepreneur of the year, Mary Anne Muller, the BFRCD will be hosting a peace and compassion book study group.
The book, A Change of Heart, aims to nurture peace and compassion from within; in order to be able to affect peace in our external environments we must first cultivate peace inwardly.
The study group is intended to stimulate thought, reflection and discussion. However, it will be a personal development journey. In other words, there will be no advice-giving, preaching, or judging.
Those who are interested in taking this journey should contact our Board Secretary, Leena Al Olaimy on leena[at]bfrcd.org so that we can order a copy of the book for you. Logistics, time, and frequency of meetings will be determined based on interested parties.
Kindly note that unfortunately, the book is currently only available in English.
Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse is launched
The newly formed Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) was launched today at a ceremony at the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Manama. With the full support of the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Foundation has been registered by the Ministry of Social Development and has been formed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and values across all segments of Bahrain’s communities to promote reconciliation and social unity.
The newly formed Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) was launched today at a ceremony at the Kempinski Grand Hotel in Manama. With the full support of the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, the Foundation has been registered by the Ministry of Social Development and has been formed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and values across all segments of Bahrain’s communities to promote reconciliation and social unity.
Speaking at the event, founder and Chairman of the BFRCD Board of Trustees, Suhail Ghazi Algosaibi, said that the time was right for such an initiative to foster and promote open discussion between all members of society regardless of age, race, gender or sect. “Our mission of social cohesion and harmony, backed by a solid foundation, highest level of support and clear milestones and objectives has already resonated with Bahrain’s community,” he said.
The organisation takes a long term view towards helping society, looking beyond the current situation, and is bi-partisan and non-political in nature. The BFRCD has plans for public conferences and social events including lectures that will facilitate the exchange of ideas and values across all segments of society.
In addition, comprehensive social media campaigns will highlight the many areas in which all Bahrain society agrees, while initiating and mediating dialogue to stimulate understanding and tolerance in areas of disagreement. Plans for these events will be announced shortly, and developments taking place within the BFRCD will be regularly announced through traditional and web-based media, including the society’s new website bfrcd.bh to ensure the highest level of participation and attendance.
Mr. Algosaibi explained the concept behind their new logo; it shows that Bahrain has a multi-cultural yet tolerant nature, where people of different backgrounds live together, and we are all striving to a better more harmonious Bahrain.
Bahrain Foundation Signs Northern Ireland MoU
A Memorandum of Understanding has recently been signed between two peace-building NGO’s. The agreement has been signed between the Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) and the Causeway Institute for Peace-building and Conflict Resolution (CIPCR).
The BFRCD is a private, non-profit foundation borne out of the Bahrain crisis, and aims to help bridge the sectarian and social divide in Bahrain. With the endorsement of HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, the organization has a long-term view focused on social reconciliation and has no political affiliations.
CIPCR is a peace-building organisation dedicated to promoting peaceful conflict resolution and inclusive negotiation around the world. The two organisations will co-operate to deliver a series of visits by various groups from both Bahrain and Northern Ireland, with the purpose of sharing the experience and lessons of the peace process in Northern Ireland.
“We are delighted to have this agreement in place with the BFRCD,” said Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Chairman of CIPCR. “Though the situations in Northern Ireland and Bahrain are very different, I think there are some valuable lessons to be learnt from our experience,” he added.
“My fellow board members and I recently visited Northern Ireland and found the trip very educational, and I look forward to helping arrange for more such visits,” said BFRCD Chairman Suhail Algosaibi. “There is a lot to learn from the Northern Ireland experience, but at the end of the day the Bahrain crisis has to be resolved internally, by Bahrainis,” added Suhail Algosaibi.
Four trips are planned for this year, with three trips from Bahrain to Northern Ireland, and one trip from Northern Ireland to Bahrain. The programme will be evaluated at the end of the year and further future cooperation will be considered.
-ENDS-
Photo enclosed: Jeffery Donaldson Suhail Algosaibi