By TRN Online, Kathmandu, June 22: The Fifth General Assembly of Lumbini-Kapilvastu Global Campaign Belgium (LKGCB) was held on Sunday at the Community Center Bosstraat, Wilsele, Belgium.

The general assembly held on June 20 elected a new nine-member executive board under the presidency of Dr. Rajendra Bari.

The LKGCB is a global movement aimed at promoting peace and non-violence messages of Lord Buddha and highlighting Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha as a World Peace City.

The inauguration ceremony was performed by lighting candles by the chief guest –Gehendra Rajbhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to BENELUX and the European Union, and special guests –Soe Lynn Han, Ambassador of Myanmar to BENELUX and the European Union, and Madhuka Silva (Deputy Chief of the Mission, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels, according to the press release issued by the Lumbini-Kapilvastu Global Campaign Belgium.

Dr. Rajendra Bari, general secretary of LKGCB, presented global facts on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on violence, poverty and mental health issues.

He pointed out at the need to promote peace and non-violence or address mental health is higher than ever before. "Therefore, LKGCB activities are important to promote peace and non-violence."

Dr. Bari, explained the involvement of LKGCB in addressing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – SDG 16 and SDG 17. SDG-16 is related to peace and SDG-17 is related to partnership and capacity building. Dr. Bari quoted recent speech given by Her Majesty the queen Mathilde of Belgium on SDG – “The SDGs helped us connect the dots. Climate change and poverty, biodiversity and human well-being, depletion of natural resources and instability, governance and inequalities are all interlinked. And they all need urgent and equal attention."

Addressing the assembly, Luciano Corsini, appreciated LKGCB mission to promote peace and non-violence and expressed his support to carry out various activities in future. He emphasized good collaborative working environment with AIF+ organization and expressed the need to engage on more peace building activities in future.

Madhuka Silva, deputy chief of the mission, Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels, mentioned that Buddhism brings people together because Buddhism is a way of life and Lumbini is a sacred place for all Buddhists. She appreciated the work of LKGCB organization in promoting peace at global level.

The Ambassador of Myanmar, Soe Lynn Han appreciated the work of LKGCB in promoting Buddha and his teachings at global level.

Saying that Myanmar is a Buddhist country, he mentioned that Buddhism related activities need to be extended to other countries such as Myanmar and the region. He extended his support in working together to bring the messages of peace to much wider audience.

Gehendra Rajbhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to BENELUX and the European Union, expressed his support and appreciation of LKGCB activities. He emphasized the importance of Lumbini and Kapilvastu sites in promoting peace around the world. He further explained the importance of SDGs and the role of LKGCB in addressing SDGs through activities that promote peace.

Invited guests, who could not participate in the assembly because of travel restrictions or other engagements, extended their support and best wishes for the event as well as for the new executive board via email.

At the end, the 5th General Assembly unanimously endorsed the new Executive Board comprised of 9 members and the new Advisory Board comprising of 8 members under the leadership of Dr Rajendra Bari.

In the concluding remarks, outgoing President of Lumbini-Kapilvastu Global Campaign, Belgium, Damodar Prasad Acharya, emphasized the importance of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, as a World Peace city. Acharya appealed to all Nepalis to pay more interest, attention and participation in LKGCB activities in future.