The Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith–Based Organizations in International Affairs was held on February 1, 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters and focused on the theme of religion, violence and extremism. Religious leaders, UN officials, university professors, and representatives of faith–based and civil society organizations were in attendance. Speakers included, among others, Mr. Adama Dieng, UN Secretary General Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide; Mr. Jehangir Khan, Director of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office for the UN Department of Political Affairs; Dr. Azza Karam, Senior Advisor on Culture at the United Nations Population Fund; Dr. John L. Esposito, Professor of Religion and International Affairs and of Islamic Studies, Georgetown University; Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Dr. Clare Amos, Programme Executive for Inter-Religious Dialogue at the World Council of Churches; and Dr. Ganoune Diop, Permanent Representative to the United Nations for the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Meeting recording is available online: Part 1, Part 2
Link to Program: Symposium Program
Event organizers: General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church; General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists; World Council of Churches
Co-sponsors: United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force for Engagement with Faith–Based Organizations; The Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations; Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN; and Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers