On August 28, 2000 – for the first time in human history – almost all of the world's leading religious and spiritual leaders came together in mutual cooperation to find ways to bring peace to the Earth. In attendance were over 1000 spiritual leaders, from more than 15 major faith traditions and many of the world's indigenous tribes.

When we in America think of war in the 20th Century, what comes to mind are the two World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam. But just in the last 10 years there have been over 100 armed conflicts in over 70 different parts of the world. It is obvious that something needs to be done or we will not be able to cooperate to solve the even more crucial problems of the Earth's environment.

And since so many of the world's wars are fought in the name of God, then if we seek to solve the problem of war, we must call upon our religious and spiritual leaders and bring them to a single table. Without their cooperation, there is no way that peace will ever be a reality on Earth.

This Millennium World Peace Summit was not only welcome – it was essential.

And, yes, even here all was not totally peaceful. There was controversy over the Dalai Lama's omission from the guest list, allegedly for political reasons (he was eventually invited). And disagreements came up over holding this summit conference at a political body such as the United Nations. But these small sources of discord were relatively inconsequential beside the huge, hopeful fact that the entire world's spiritual body was coming together in cooperation to find peace. It was an enormous positive sign for Mother Earth and her people.

The news media touched only lightly upon this summit conference, as though it were a trifling occurrence or a passing fad. So it is we who actively seek peace on earth who must keep this event's reality alive by our awareness. And we must continue to ask for these meetings to take place.

The following web addresses from the United Nations offer a fuller understanding of what is occurring as the world's religions seek to create harmony and peace on earth. The links are all at millenniumpeacesummit.org:

1. On the Need for a Peace Summit
2. A Call to the World's Spiritual Leaders
3. New Collaboration Among Religious Leaders
4. Bringing Spiritual Leadership into the Peace Process
5. See Photographs for larger versions of the pictures presented here, and photos of many others that attended the summit.
6. The assembly constructed a document that was signed by hundreds of the guests. Let's pray that this lofty beginning and the contents of this document become a reality. See Peace Summit Declaration

To me, meetings of this nature occurring on a worldwide level are the signs of the global brain beginning to function.

May world peace be a reality in our lifetime, and may our children sing the praises of their parents for the wisdom that they lived.

Top of PagePrint Version