“The Second Multi-Religious Tokyo Peace Roundtable” Concludes with Calls for Collective Actions
21 February 2024, Tokyo, Japan: Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), concluded the second “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables” which took place from 19-21 February 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. Building on the success of the inaugural Roundtable in 2022, this event brought together diverse religious and faith leaders representing five religions from fifteen conflict countries to share wisdom and explore short- and long-term processes and initiatives to advance peace and reconciliation.
Throughout the three days of the Roundtable, participants discussed the necessity and importance of religious and faith actors, policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society to come together to call for the sanctity of human life and dignity. Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema, newly appointed Secretary General of Religions for Peace, underlined the importance of Religions for Peace’s unique position to bring together the voices of religious leaders to address the intractable issues of conflict and war reiterating that Religions for Peace is committed to advancing and leading effective multi-religious initiatives toward peace, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.
Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis, Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon and Co-Moderator of Religions for Peace, emphasised that “It is imperative for all stakeholders to commit to long-term goals of reconciliation and that the continuation of multi-religious peace dialogue is vital to achieve peace.” Dr. Vinu Aram, President, Shanti Ashram and Co-Moderator of Religions for Peace, reminded us of the critical need to engage women and children in our efforts and asked all those convened in Tokyo and “all those who have the courage to dream of a better world, to be held accountable to the two billion children of the world.” Speaking at the closing ceremony, Rev. Kosho Niwano, President-designate, Rissho Kosei-kai and Co-Moderator of Religions for Peace, stated that “If religious people act in earnest, they will move society and the world will move from confrontation to dialogue.”
The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable concluded with the Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables Statement that made commitments “to continue to pray and work multi-religiously towards a culture of peace that advances shared well-being, grounded in respect for the sanctity of life and human dignity.”