The Regional Forum was a hybrid event held in August 2022, with participants at the physical location at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and other participants joining virtually. The organisation of the event was itself a cooperative effort. Thirty-nine participants attended the forum in-person, while forty-four participants registered for online participation. The participants consisted of religious and faith leaders and academics from South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Participants represented diverse religious and faith communities, including Rastafarian, several Christian denominations (Pentecostal, Mainline Protestant, Catholic and African Independent Churches), and African Traditional
Religion communities.

The event was opened with an inter religious prayer from several volunteer participants, after a word of welcome from Dr Tanya van Wyk on behalf of the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Theology and Religion. The purpose of the event was explained to participants, including encouraging everyone present to participate to the best of their abilities based Facilitators discussing the day’s program with participants on their own experiences. Participants were keen to share their experiences, and many appreciated the opportunity to be heard, and learn from the experiences of others.