H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis

Elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon

Co-Moderator & Executive Committee Member, Religions for Peace

Rev. Kosho Niwano

President-Designate, Rissho Kosei-Kai

Co-Moderator & Executive Committee Member, Religions for Peace

Hon. Dr. Layla Alkhafaji

Elected Member of Political Bureau-Alhikmah Movement

Former Member of Iraqi Council of Representatives – Parliament Former International Relations Director – Al Hakim Foundation

Co-President, Religions for Peace

H.E. Rabbi David Rosen

Former Chief Rabbi of Ireland

International Director, Department of Interreligious Affairs, American Jewish Committee

Co-President, Religions for Peace

Prof. Dr. Azza Karam

Secretary General, Religions for Peace

Member, United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism

The work of Religions for Peace is driven by Six Strategic Priorities, identified by the world’s religions as the most urgent challenges our world faces today.

These priorities align with the global agenda agreed upon by the 193 United Nations Member States: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CONVENE

Religions for Peace serves as the world's premier convenor of the world's faith leaders and religious institutions by facilitating spaces of collaboration both within Religions for Peace, and in larger multilateral spaces such as the United Nations.

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Religions for Peace's Interreligious Councils (IRCs), mobilising across 90+ countries, are our mechanisms for multi-religious cooperation on the ground. Our global interfaith women and youth networks catalyse grassroots leadership and innovation in our strategic areas of collaboration.

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Religions for Peace facilitates a unique platform by which the world’s religious institutions work together, and with other sectors, to serve all communities.

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Religious leaders representing the world's different faith traditions and leading the global movement through the World Council, which serves as the governing board for Religions for Peace

Affiliated national Interreligious Councils (IRCs)

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Years of bringing the world's religions together for peace

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Interfaith initiatives supported by the Religions for Peace flagship Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund

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World Assemblies to build consensus on the global peace priorities of the world's religions

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Strategic Priorities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

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Global, multi-religious, intergenerational movement for peace

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Mrs. Aruna Oswal, awardee of the Multi-Religious Peacemaker award

Religions for Peace signed a partnership agreement with the University of Notre Dame's Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion to collaborate in the advancement of interreligious work and education.

The partnership was formally announced during the Nasr Book Prize Symposium, in which we honoured Mr. Abdul Ilah Rafie Marafie, Rev. Kosho Niwano, and Dr. Aruna Oswal with the lifetime achievement Multi-Religious Peacemaker award, in recognition of their stellar leadership and systematic contributions to global efforts for peace.

I hope that Religions for Peace's Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund will scale up COVID-19 relief efforts... Religious leaders and faith actors have an important role to play in mobilising their respective communities around peace, unity, and compassion.

H.E. António Guterres

United Nations Secretary General

the multi-religious humanitarian fund

OUR RESPONSE TO GLOBAL CRISES HAS REACHED OVER 14 MILLION PEOPLE IN 30 COUNTRIES ACROSS 5 REGIONS

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"When the gangs invaded the area, my family and I had to move out and take refuge to Cabaret, where we had to get a room at a motel for several days. As the exams were coming up, I thought I would lose the rest of the academic year because my parents would not have the money to pay off the last semester. God came to our rescue through Religions for Peace and this project, and for that I am very thankful.”

- Testimonial received by Religions for Peace Haiti Youth Council (grantee)

"We would like to express our gratitude for the Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund... many families, including children and pregnant women received help from this fund.

- Religions for Peace Myanmar (grantee)

"The hospital is currently being repaired and cleaned up after the terrible destruction... We are sincerely grateful for the support for the people of Ukraine."

- Testimonial received by Hungarian Unitarian Church (grantee)

Essential medicine and relief goods ready to be distributed

Trauma healing sessions for IDPs through art workshops

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"We abandoned everything to come here. We are very happy because you have put a smile on the faces of all the people living in this camp. We are getting help being here but our dearest wish is to go back home. We pray to God that the government will facilitate this..."

- Interview by the International Youth Catholics Students Africa (grantee) with a representative of IDPs

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In May 2022, Religions for Peace issued a joint statement with UNIAPAC to deplore the war in Ukraine, which "represents a critical moment for humanity to accept its collective responsibility."

This culminated in the Interfaith Prayers for World Peace, when Religions for Peace advocated for human fraternity, in recognition of our common responsibility to protect each other - irrespective of all differences.

"[The] interfaith prayer for world peace falls in line with Pope Francis’ desire for people of all religions to join in spirit to pray for an end to conflict and war." (Watkins, Vatican News)

MANRESA 2022

INTERNATIONAL MULTI-RELIGIOUS FORUM

MANRESA, SPAIN

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In the official communique on "Africa Interfaith Roadmap to Agenda-2063: Saving the Environment, Securing Peace," 31 diverse African religious leaders emphasised the disproportionate impact of climate change on African communities, and how it precludes the realisation of the vision outlined in the African Union's AGENDA 2063: The Africa We Want - the blueprint to transform Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. The religious leaders also issued a Multi-Faith Call to Humanity and a Commitment to Work in Joint Service, and committed to join efforts to seek peaceful settlements to the conflicts in the region and ensure the rights and dignity of all.

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faith and positive change for children, families & communities (FPCC)

FPCC is a global partnership between Religions for Peace, UNICEF, and the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI) to ensure that development partners and FBOs work together to facilitate transformation in communities.

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Building on the 2021 South Asia High-Level Forum for Faith Actors, Religions for Peace brought together over 100 religious leaders, faith actors, FBOs, and UNICEF South Asia representatives to develop the first South Asia Regional Faith and Positive Change for Children (FPCC) Strategy.

As affirmed in the official statement, Religions for Peace created spaces of collaboration for faith actors to ensure child rights and well-being; equipped faith actors, women of faith and interfaith youth with resources within the Mind and Heart Dialogue approach; and engaged the government for the enforcement of laws to protect child rights.

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The Mind-Heart Dialogue is an experiential learning process that supports faith groups and development partners to work together to protect and empower children, families and communities.

Religions for Peace trained over 80 Inter-Religious Council (IRC) and FBO nominees from eight countries as national Mind-Heart Dialogue teams. Male faith leaders, women of faith, and interfaith youth are now supporting their IRCs to set up a Multi-Faith Advisory Committee on Children that brings faith leaders, FBOs and UNICEF together to identify shared priorities and affect positive change for children. They are integrating the Mind-Heart Dialogue into their IRC's internal structures and mechanisms, as the foundation for multi-religious and multi-stakeholder collaboration around the protection and empowerment of children.

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In celebration of World Children's Day 2022, Religions for Peace partnered with the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) to mobilise chapters in South Asia in the development of a Regional Faith Engagement Strategy on Children Issues.

Religions for Peace India Youth Committee launched social media campaigns to raise awareness on child labor, child marriage, malnutrition & trafficking. Sri Lanka Council of Religions for Peace and Religions for Peace Bangladesh raised awareness through the 'Drug Free Lanka' campaign, and the 'Preventing Violence against Children and Child Abuse' campaign, respectively.

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Science and spirituality are often framed as being in conflict with each other. In partnership with the Templeton World Charity Foundation, Religions for Peace convened leaders from five of the world’s major religious traditions, who bridged the gap between science and spirituality by highlighting how the practice of forgiveness - shared across all religions - can bring spirituality and science together to complement each other and advance the same goals.

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In partnership with the Permanent Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations, Religions for Peace showcased various art pieces that reflect the multi-faceted roles of women within our society, created by young African women. The art exhibit was held during the 66th Commission on the Status of Women.

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In Religions for Peace's official CSW66 parallel event, Ms. Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences and several members of our Women of Faith Networks emphasised the interlinkages between environment, gender, and women's rights.

Award-winning filmmaker Ms. Lia Beltrami showcased her short film ALGANESH, which depicts how women in drought-stricken refugee camps in Ethiopia carry disproportionately heavier burdens due to climate change. The central message is simple yet powerful: multi-religious collaboration and women as protagonists is the way forward.

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In partnership with the Office of Genocide Prevention and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women,  Its Causes and Consequences, and the Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, Religions for Peace convened a high-level dialogue where religious leaders and senior UN representatives explored the points of collaboration and synergy between the multifaith leaders and multilateral institutions in addressing the intersections between religion, gender equality, the right of women to live free from gender-based violence, and the prevention of atrocity crimes.

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Religions for Peace made history by convening faith leaders from the world's religions and faith communities, along with interfaith youth leaders and civil society representatives, to walk side-by-side on the Camino Pilgrimage – the same pilgrimage that St. Ignatius of Loyola made 500 years ago from Montserrat to Manresa.

This historic interfaith spiritual walk served as a unique experience of reflection on the social and environmental crises we face in the world today, and how people of all ages, and from all religions, regions, and sectors, can work together to solve them.

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Religions for Peace secured the Manresa 2022 Pact: Multireligious and Multisectoral Global Pact for the Development of Resilient, Sustainable, Safe, and Inclusive Cities - the first multi-religious, intergenerational, and multisectoral commitment to address the climate crisis, and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 11 in ensuring inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities.

Religious leaders, women of faith, youth leaders, and civil society representatives committed to advance more intergenerational, interreligious, and multisectoral exchanges and spaces for social development and innovation, and to address inequality and discrimination so that all communities can prosper from justice and equity in inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.

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In partnership with the City Council of Manresa, Spain, we convened the hybrid event, "Love and Respect the Earth: Multi-Religious Collaboration to Address the Climate Crisis," and made the case for collaboration between faith actors, youth, women, civil society, and policymakers in ensuring the preservation and protection of the one planet we call our home.

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Religions for Peace advanced the urgent need for multi-religious and multisectoral collaboration, together with the Bahá’í International Community, the Anglican Consultative Council, and Tzu Chi Foundation, during our COP27 side event on "Realizing Ambition through Ethical, Intergenerational and Multisectoral Responses to Climate Crises.”

Key civil society leaders, including faith leaders, emphasised that sustainable development can only be achieved if humanitarian efforts are centralised around shared human values of love and respect - for each other and for our common home.

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Prof. Azza Karam served as a member of the Stockholm+50 Advisory Group, where she filled a critical gap in multi-religious outreach and advocacy by including the perspectives and expertise of faith leaders from Indigenous communities; religious institutions; faith-based organisations; and grassroots interfaith youth and women’s organisations. In addition to drawing attention to their contributions to environmental policy and ecological justice, she also ensured that a special focus was placed on the contributions of Indigenous communities.

During the Stockholm+50 international meeting, Prof. Azza Karam called for a radical transformation of our way of existence, insisting on the role that "actors of the faith" can play to this end, even if some of them are not up to their responsibilities. “We need to bring together dignitaries of different religions and work together,” Prof. Karam said, also calling for close cooperation between religious and secular actors.

INTERFAITH RAINFOREST INITATIVE (iRI)

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Religions for Peace unites people of all faiths to end tropical deforestation and empower the Indigenous peoples that serve as their guardians, as a core partner of the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative (IRI).

In collaboration with our national Interreligious Councils, IRI has five established national platforms where religious leaders work alongside Indigenous peoples, governments, local communities, and businesses in rainforest protection.

These national platforms – established in five countries containing nearly 70% of the world’s remaining rainforests (Brazil, Colombia, the DRC, Indonesia, and Peru) – are working at national and local levels to pass legislation that protects forests and the human rights of their indigenous protectors, mobilise faith communities for advocacy, and facilitate learning on the science behind our spiritual commitment to protect the earth.

In 2022, Religions for Peace supported the 5 country programmes in wider implementation of IRI. We supported IRI in the establishment of 54 new local chapters as action-oriented coalitions of religious leaders, Indigenous peoples, civil society and other forest defenders. We provided capacity building workshops on rainforest protection, climate adaptation, and Indigenous peoples rights to 3,765 religious leaders.

country programme: iRI-brazil

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country programme: iRI-colombia

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country programme: iRI-INDONESIA

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country programme: iRI-peru

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Religions for Peace supported IRI's first in-person learning exchange, where the leadership teams from the five country programmes - Brazil, Colombia, the DRC, Indonesia, and Peru - convened to exchange best practices and lessons learned in addressing deforestation in their respective communities, and in securing the rights of Indigenous peoples and forest defenders. Read the full report here!

Based on its pioneering experience, IRI Colombia fostered a "community of practice" among the 5 country programmes by creating model reporting documents; adapting the model documents related to priority work with Congress in the DRC; and facilitating communications workshops for all staff members of the five country programmes.

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Prof. Azza Karam moderated the Council on Foreign Relations' (CFR) "Religion and Foreign Policy Webinar: Religious Freedom and US National Security," with Peter Mandaville, senior advisor for the religion and inclusive societies program at United States Institute of Peace (USIP), and Knox Thames, visiting expert at USIP. Building on the report, “Maintaining International Religious Freedom as a Central Tenet of US National Security,” the discussion emphasised the importance of religious freedom as it intersects with both foreign policy and domestic policies of many countries around the world, and certainly with the engagement of religious organizations and interreligious actors in many places and spaces. Watch the webinar above!

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In 2021, Religions for Peace received the “Freedom of Worship” award from the Roosevelt Foundation, for the global movement’s 50+ years of unyielding determination and commitment to promote peace and speak up for those most in need.

In 2022, we continued to honor this award through a white paper by Dr. Ganoune Diop, Member, Religions for Peace Standing Commission on Championing Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Religion; Director, Public Affairs & Religious Freedom, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist World Headquarters. The white paper brings forth a call to action, as peacebuilding "desperately needs the commitment of religious leaders to mend human brokenness that has appeared in the past religious antagonisms, hostilities, wars, and genocidal crimes against humanity."

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Religions for Peace, in partnership with the Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network (FoRBLN), the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) and other partners, concluded the high-level dialogue series, "Leave No One Behind: Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Sustainable Development Goals." Religions for Peace and its partners launched the six-part dialogue series during the Global Week to #Act4SDGs in September 2021.

Through the High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Freedom of Religion or Belief, and the High-Level Dialogue on Health and Freedom of Religion or Belief, Religions for Peace emphasised that the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is linked to the health, climate change, and ultimately, the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. The discussions culminated in concrete recommendations for parliamentarians and religious/belief leaders in the protection of those often subjected to discrimination, inequality and marginalisation on the grounds of religion or belief.

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Religions for Peace joined over 100 religious leaders and representatives of faith-based organisations, youth representatives, and policy experts from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean for the Second Interreligious Forum of the Americas (FIDELA) to assess the needs of the Western Hemisphere, within the framework of interreligious cooperation that inspires us to work together for peace, justice and solidarity.

Religions for Peace voiced priority concerns of religious voices regarding the human impact of inequalities in the hemisphere, shortfalls in protection of human dignity, and the need for purposeful action that truly gives a preferential option to the most vulnerable.

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Religions for Peace signed a historic partnership agreement with World Health Organisation (WHO) - the first MoU between WHO and a global multireligious platform. This commitment comes at a critical time for global public health concerns amidst multiple challenges in climate change, human rights, peacebuilding, food security, and internal displacement.

In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Religions for Peace signed a Framework of Cooperation Agreement with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, to facilitate the engagement of religious leaders in addressing conflict-related sexual violence and countering the stigmatisation of survivors.

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Prof. Karam was invited by the Kazakh government to attend the Congress because of Religions for Peace's unique position and 50+ years of experience in advancing multireligious cooperation.

Prof. Karam had the privilege of meeting with His Holiness Pope Francis, who gave his blessing to the work of Religions for Peace, noting that, “This is God’s work. It is holy work, and I pray for the success of this work.”

She also had the opportunity to meet with His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, who devoted a great deal of his time to understand and bless the work of the organisation.

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Photo by Sean Hawkey of the WCC. Prof. Azza Karam addresses the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches

Photo by Albin Hillert of the WCC. People attending the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches express their appreciation for an address given by Prof. Azza Karam

Prof. Azza Karam delivered remarks at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches that gained wide recognition and appreciation across the world's different religious and faith communities. Prof. Karam says, "Was Christ's love only meant for the people of the Christian faith? If Christ’s love is meant for all of humanity, what would that mean practically for each of us in this room? I believe very firmly as a Muslim that Christ’s love was meant for me, too.”

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As a member of the UN Secretary General's High-Level Board on Effective Multilateralism (HLAB), Prof. Azza Karam, alongside fellow HLAB Co-Chairs, issued four statements with practical recommendations for improving multilateral cooperation on issues that threaten our very existence - the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

In October, HLAB held its sixth plenary meeting to refine its recommendations in the key areas of peace and security, the global financial architecture, digital space, and climate and environment.

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In 2022, the African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) launched new projects and programmes, convened an interfaith virtual conference and launched a new Interreligious Council in Senegal.

With the launch of a new 3-year project in the Sahel region, entitled "Women Empowerment and Environmental Restoration for Conflict Prevention in the Sahel," ACRL aims to contribute towards the restoration of the environment and conflict transformation in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal by strengthening the voices of religious leaders.

In partnership with Deaconess Foundation Institute, ACRL launched a 4-year peacebuilding project in South Sudan aimed at fostering trust and build peace from the ground by capacitating religious leaders and supporting them to act as internal reconcilers.

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ACRL convened the Faith and Culture Conference: Ending Harmful Practices Affecting Children in Eastern and Southern Africa and advocated for the rights of children and women from all forms of violence. As cases of Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriages rise as a secondary effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the discussions pointed to the need for multi-religious collaboration to address the root causes of harmful practices through poverty reduction, education, health and psychosocial support, and other social services. Click here to read the official statement!

ACRL also convened a hybrid Youth Bootcamp on Interfaith Experience, which enhanced the youth’s self-awareness on their interpersonal qualities, and motivations to engage in interfaith peacebuilding; and cultivated interreligious understanding by averting misconceptions on different faiths and beliefs.

Ms. Sarah Kimani, Programme Officer, ACRL delivers remarks at the TPNW First Meeting of the States Parties in Vienna, Austria

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In 2022, the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP) launched six flagship projects, in collaboration with the IRCs in the region:

• Caring for the Health of the Poor Indigenous Peoples, Caring for Our Common Home (Philippines);
• Promoting Ethnoreligious and Intergenerational Harmony for Peace in the Digital Age (Thailand);
• Efforts to Build Public Awareness about Climate Change (Indonesia);
• Emergency Flood Relief Drive 2022 (Pakistan);
• Awareness raising for Anti-Human Trafficking, for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation and for Protection of the Environment (the Asia and Pacific Women of Faith Network); and,
• Asia Pacific Interfaith Youth Network (APIYN) Youth Leadership Development Programme Year 1

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In the beginning of 2022, ACRP hosted the APIYN Youth Camp, with the theme of recognising "Asian Youth as Peacebuilders." Participants pledged to raise awareness within and across communities regarding issues of Positive Peace; Climate Action; Social Justice; Gender Equality; Prevention of Human Trafficking; Promotion of Children’s Rights; Protection of Human Dignity; and, Achievement of the SDGs.

The Asia and Pacific Women of Faith Network held seminars on the topics of Anti-Human Trafficking, sharing experiences and knowledge of ways to address human trafficking and Climate Change, discussing the role of religions for the protection of climate change and reflecting on the outcomes of COP27.

Photo courtesy of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace. Participants of the 2022 Asia Interfaith Youth Peace Camp in Manila, Philippines

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In the pursuit of dialogue at all levels to end the war in Ukraine, religion will have an important role to play in the long-term healing and reconciliation process. Building upon the role of religion in healing processes and the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation, the European Council of Religious Leaders, held their first in-person meeting since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions on religion and the pursuit of justice, reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace culminated in the Birmingham Declaration.

Policymakers, religious leaders, journalists and civil society representatives convened for the 4th European Policy Dialogue Forum on Refugees and Migrants, where they tackled barriers to successful integration in European cities.

Photo courtesy of Religions for Peace-Europe. Participants of the 2022 Birmingham meeting in Birmingham, England.

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The Latin America and the Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders (LACCRL) was a critical partner in implementing the KAICIID Fellows Programme in Argentina. The programme offered a critical opportunity for youth leaders to cultivate interreligious dialogue and collaboration, and foster interreligious education through visits to different houses of worship in Buenos Aires.

At the 2022 Meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), LACCRL hosted a side event to present the best practices developed with the voluntary participation of faith-based organisations in six countries within Latin America and the Caribbean.

Photo courtesy of KAICIID. Participants of the KAICIID Fellows Programme in Bueno Aires, Argentina.

*Please note: Religions for Peace will begin its 2022 financial audit in 2023. These figures are thus an approximation.

Through robust fundraising campaigns and the continued support of our donors, Religions for Peace generated $5.3 million in revenue throughout Fiscal Year 2022.

Religions for Peace expresses its deep gratitude to its major contributors, including Rissho Kosei-Kai, John E. Fetzer Institute, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), International Trustees Japanese Group (ITGJ), GHR Foundation, and the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Through their continued support, Religions for Peace made significant progress in the advancement of its mission in 2022.

*Please note: Religions for Peace will begin its 2022 financial audit in 2023. These figures are thus an approximation.

Religions for Peace allocated about $1.6 million for the continued implementation of its Strategic Plan 2020-2025.

Through the continued support of our trustees and donors, we utilised 32% ($498,000) of the funds to strengthen multi-religious collaboration and global partnerships; 27% ($417,000) to advance initiatives that nurture a sustainable environment; and 25% ($400,000) to initiatives that promote peaceful, just, and inclusive societies. We also utilised 12% ($183,000) of the funds to cultivate interreligious education, and 5% ($73,000) to support initiatives that advance gender equality for all.