QRC Participates in International Conference on Ethics and Climate Change

Doha, December 10 (QNA) - A high-profile delegation from Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) participated in a three-day international conference held by Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, under the title of "Ethics, Climate Change, and Energy", with the attendance of environmental experts and researchers. QRC co-sponsored the event. QRC was represented by Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem Al-Ali Al-Maadheed, Chairman, and Dr Fawzi Oussedik, Head of International Relations and International Humanitarian Law. Dr. Al-Maadheed chaired the sessions of the conference and delivered a keynote speech in the opening ceremony titled "Impact of Climate Change on Humanitarian Crises", together with Dr. Malcolm Wilson, member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and a 2007 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The sessions introduced several valuable papers and discussed important topics, including: Science of Ecology and Energy; Philosophy and Spirituality: Ethics of the Environment; Issues of Climate and Energy Crisis in Daily Life; Climate, Energy, and State: Industrial/Business Responsibilities - Green Gas Effect and Geoengineering Alternative in Asia; and a Model of Energy Conservation. On the sidelines of the conference, a three-year MoU was signed between the Islamic Forum of International Humanitarian Law (IFIHL) which is presided over by Dr. Oussedik and the International Center for Buddhist-Islamic Understanding, College of Religious Studies, Mahidol University. The purpose of the MoU is to co-organize forums and conferences and promote research and academic projects in the areas of human security and development and promotion of social inclusion and peace across the region. The first annual conference under the MoU will be held in May 2015 to celebrate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, covering the topic of "Humanitarianism, Religions, and Protection of Civic persons". In his comments, HE Ambassador of Qatar to Thailand Jabor bin Ali Al-Dossari thanked QRC for its quick response and contribution to the conference. As a co-organizer, QRC could attract many researchers and academics from different parts of the region to participate. "The State of Qatar plays a distinct role in interfaith dialogue, dialogue among civilizations, and climate change issues. It was one of the first countries to emphasize the role of religious institutions in raising awareness about climate change and the Islamic approach to it," he added. IFIHL (based in Doha, Qatar) is a subsidiary organ of the Islamic Committee of International Crescent (ICIC) and QRC. Established in 2002, its mission is to promote respect of the international humanitarian law and disseminate its principles and rules in light of the Islamic Sharia, according to the annual agenda adopted by ICIC meetings and implemented in cooperation with social and academic institutions in the Islamic world. The forums has organized many workshops and training courses, issued publications, signed MoUs, and carried out joint programs with research institutions and National Societies in relation to different issues and topics of the international humanitarian law, human rights, and Islamic Sharia. (QNA)