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RMNEWS - The Peace20 peace initiative continues its global journey to South Africa. This international movement, first launched on November 1–2, 2022, in Bali bringing Indonesia’s message of peace to the world has once again inspired thousands of young people. This year, through a series of peace events, thousands of young people voiced their vision for world peace. Princess Natasha Dematra, one of the founders of Peace20, shared that during an audience with South African Ambassador H.E. Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, world peace and ongoing global conflicts were key topics of discussion, along with how Peace20 can create meaningful impact. Boiki Mutluung, Political Advisor at the South African Embassy, said, “The Peace20 Peace Initiative is organized based on foreign policy prioriti...

RMNEWS - Visions of Peace Initiative, a nonprofit organization that has organized over 100 events in Indonesia involving thousands of young people, launched the Interfaith Golden Rule Youth Conference in Surakarta and Bali. The Interfaith Golden Rule Youth Peace Conference attracted hundreds of children from different faiths, interfaith leaders, and artists. The conference opened with a screening of the film "The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others..." by Princess Cheryl Halpern, Princess Natasha Dematra, and Alex Dolginko, a documentary about the Golden Rule. This film is often credited with transforming nations. The film is a collaboration between the award-winning American production team HQ Creative, Angel Pictures (award-winning Indonesian production team), and Visions of Peace In...

RMNEWS - Prince Dr. Damien Dematra, the eminent founder of the Visions of Peace Initiative passed away in Bali on April 27, 2025, just one day prior to the convening of the Golden Rule Interfaith Youth Conference. The opening of the conference with the screening of, “The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others…” and the subsequent candid discussion between students and clerics was a profound tribute to Prince Dr. Dematra. Princess Dr. Cheryl Halpern, co- founder of the Visions of Peace Initiative, expressed her heartfelt condolences saying, “Prince Dr. Damien Dematra was a man who exemplified kindness, strength and integrity. His life celebrated the power of caring for others with an unwavering commitment to civility. May Damien’s family and all of us who loved him find consolation in knowing...

RMNRWS - A Doctor Honoris Causa degree in Religion was awarded to Princess Cheryl Halpern by the ISSTO in recognition for her dedication to advancing interfaith harmony and tolerance. In her remarks thanking the Chancellor and the members of the Faculty for the honorary doctorate, Princess Cheryl acknowledged her parents who were religious leaders and explained, “Who I am is largely a reflection of what I learned in the home in which I was brought up. Our home was open to people from all walks of life and where respect for diverse cultures and religions was the norm. It was in this home that I was exposed to the universality of the Golden Rule, also known as the Ethic of Reciprocity, ‘Do unto others as you would want done to yourself.’ This universal tenet is a divine commandment that...

RMNEWS - On June 1st, the Visions of Peace Initiative (VOPI) screened its most recently produced documentary, “The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others…” to students in Surakarta in recognition of the Pancasila Day and the birth of the Republic of Indonesia’s commitment to unity and social justice. The student audience participated in a candid and meaningful question and answer session following the screening. Princess Dr. Cheryl Halpern, a founder of the VOPI noted that, "The Principles of the Pancasila promote respect for an inclusive and civilized society as presented in the Indonesian motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, and provide for unity, with respect for the diversity of all Indonesians. It is an affirmation of the Golden Rule, ‘Do unto others, as you would want to have done to yoursel...

Shiseido Company, Limited ("Shiseido") offering a luxury skincare brand SHISEIDO has announced the revamp of its latest science- backed innovation: the newly improved Vital Perfection line, a new level of age- defying skincare through its breakthrough research in science: The new Safflower RED™ ingredient that is included into the products, which strengthens one's "Invisible Nutrient Network"". Replenishes barrier in epidermis SHISEIDO's extensive research on new aging care findings drives the Vital Perfection line, consisting of the new and improved product line up with cutting edge technology and ingredients that aim to reawaken one's revitalizing power for a youthful look. This new and updated range is a testament to the brand's commitment to furthering science and beauty te...

RMNEWS - The Award Winning Film about Tolerance, “The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others…”, Screened at the Indonesian Parliament House The documentary, “The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others...” was screened at the Indonesian Parliament House in Jakarta on March 12th, 2024. This film focuses on the commonality of every faith when addressing peaceful coexistence and civil behavior. The Golden Rule, which is also known as the Ethic of Reciprocity, is a universal value that instructs each individual to, “Do unto others as you would want to have done to yourself” as well as the converse, “Do not do to another what you would not want to have done to yourself.” We are living in a time when so much of the world is immersed in violence, discrimination, intolerance, corruption and abuse. It is esse...

RMNEWS - “The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others…” a documentary commissioned by the Visions of Peace Initiative, made its world premiere screening at the Cinepolis Cinema, in Denpassar, Bali on January 16th, 2024. This film was produced as a collaboration between the American award-winning HQ Creative production team, Indonesia’s award winning Angel Pictures and the Visions of Peace Initiative. The screening was attended by a diverse representation of religious organizations and spiritual leaders and was followed by an interfaith discussion and dinner. Princess Natasha Dematra, a co-producer of the film, noted, "Bali was chosen as the location for the world premiere for this documentary in acknowledgement of the Hindu religion as one of the earliest of human faiths and in recognitio...

RMNEWS - The Visions of Peace Initiative (VOPI), the Indonesian NGO that focuses on promoting the lessons of tolerance and civility to youth ages 5 to 18, inaugurated its 6th anniversary year in November. The VOPI commenced its new year of engagement with Indonesia’s youth in recognition of the United Nations International Children’s Day. Events were held in West Java that included several thousand students from a number of schools and across the age spectrum. Princess Cheryl Halpern, the international co-founder of the VOPI flew from New York City to Jakarta for these events and noted, "We are living in a time when so much of the world is immersed in violence, discrimination, intolerance, corruption and abuse. On November 20th, which happens to be my birthday, the United Natio...

RMNEWS - The Visions of Peace Initiative and HQ Creative LLC are proud to have worked together and co-produced “Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’”. “Holy Prostitution-Pelacuran ‘Suci’” is an important documentary that presents the experiences of a young, Indonesian female minor who was placed into a Mut’ah marriage, otherwise known as a contractual marriage, by her parents. The practice of Mut’ah marriage is regarded by many as an exploitative form of prostitution and is widely banned by both religious and legal authorities. Kyai Kakan Sukandi, a representative of the Ulama Council, explained, ”The public needs to be educated that Mut’ah marriage is a phenomenon that cannot be condoned. It is a phenomenon that must not be allowed to continue, both according to Islamic and Indonesi...