Hundreds of Religious Leaders Gather to Set Global Peace Priorities
20191209
(New York, USA) Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious peacebuilding coalition, is convening hundreds of religious leaders, practitioners, scholars, government agencies and foundations in New York City on 11 December to co-develop global peacebuilding priorities for the next five years.
“When religious communities work together for the common good, they are a powerful force for peace and development,” said Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Secretary General, a.i. of Religions for Peace. “Today there is greater need than ever before for communities of faith to act on our spiritual authority and deep community connections to advance peace and development. This is why we are convening religious leaders from all over the world to co-develop priorities in multi-religious peacebuilding for the coming years.”
The event will be open to the press on 11 December and religious leaders from more than 50 countries in every region of the world will strategically determine priorities for the future of the renowned organization. Themes discussed will include climate solutions through the protection of indigenous peoples, overcoming gender-based violence, procuring the universal right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and philanthropy’s role in boosting interfaith peacebuilding efforts.
In closed-door sessions on 12 and 13 December, leaders will outline a strategic plan for the 2020-2025 term that will lay out priorities, action steps and key partnerships to advance sustainable human development, peace and security, and human rights.
The strategic planning process will be facilitated by Coordinator for the UN Interagency Taskforce on Religion and Development and Special Advisor on Culture at UNFPA, Prof. Azza Karam. This convening follows Prof. Karam’s historic election as the first woman and first Muslim Secretary General-Elect in the coalition’s 50-year history.
Prof. Karam echoed the sentiment of Rev. Sugino, stating, “We are looking forward with joy to welcoming our religious leaders to New York to discern shared commitments and look towards the future of Religions for Peace.”
Also in attendance will be: RfP Acting Secretary General Rev. Kyoichi Sugino; Co-Moderator Rev. Kosho Niwano, Co-Presidents H.E. Cardinal Charles Bo, Hon. Ela Gandhi, Hon. Mme. Layla Alkhafaji, Hon. Mehrézia Labidi-Maiza, Grand-Father Dominique Rankin and Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh; Honorary President H.E. John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and Regional Co-Moderators H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, and Dr. Din Syamsuddin.