The Religions for Peace World Assembly 2019 met in Lindau Germany August 19th to 23rd to agree common action towards Caring for our Common Future: Advancing Shared wellbeing.
900 religious leaders, representing diverse faith communities from 120 countries, gathered to discuss key themes including: preventing and transforming violent conflicts, promoting just and harmonious societies, advancing sustainable and integral human development and protecting the earth.
The World Assembly Declaration codifies delegate’s commitments to common action including support for the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative, the International Campaign to abolish Nuclear Weapons and the Peace Charter for Reconciliation and Forgiveness.
RFP Trustees, in an inspired move, elected Azza Karam of UNFPA and the UN Interagency Task Force on Faith and Development to replace Bill Vendley, longtime Secretary General and servant of peace.
The German government provided extraordinary support to the World Assembly, making it possible for faith leaders to attend from around the world. The Assembly was honored to hear a major address by German President Steinmeier affirming the important role of religions in making and keeping peace. The Assembly was called to action by other global leaders including Sheikh Bin Bayah, Patriarch Bartholemew, Rabbi David Rosen, Sheikh Mubaje, Hon. Mehrezia Labidi-Maiza, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Ela Ghandi, Dr Vinu Aram and Dr. Jeff Sachs.
Local people and churches in Lindau hosted what must have been the worlds largest pot luck supper with home cooked food for all the delegates – a great experience of warm hospitality! A great example of mobilization of faith communities!
JLI was privileged to attend a day long caucus of the RFP Women of Faith Network , with 250 women of all faith from diverse contexts with common concerns, joining forces for common action.
Together with Kerida McDonald from UNICEF, JLI led a workshop consultation with faith actors from around the world on the new Faith for Positive Change for Children global initiative for social and behavior change – see information brochure here.
JLI also partnered with Religions for Peace and others to provide a pivotal report on Guide to Action on Mobilizing Faith Communities to Welcome Migrants and Refugees.
Video coverage of the plenaries on RfP’s youtube page
Related news coverage:
Interfaith group pledges to use religion’s influence to address climate change, poverty
ringforpeace.org