Regional Interfaith Dialogue, Connecting and Cooperating for Peace and Harmony In the Asia-Pacific region
5 February 2016, Palais des Nations, Geneva – Diplomats from permanent missions, staff members from United Nations entities, leaders from NGOs and representatives of major religions gathered at the event, “Dialogue on Faith, Peacebuilding & Development,” to discuss the role of faith in peace-building and how faith-based organizations can support social and economic development in synergy with the new 2030 Agenda.
Interfaith harmony lies at the very foundation of human development, which in turn is part and parcel of the prevention of conflicts, resolution of conflict, and long-term sustainability of peacebuilding, Dr Azza Karam said at the United Nations during World Interfaith Harmony Week.
World Interfaith Harmony Week, like the International Day of Peace, offers us chances to engage people and institutions in the spirit of the United Nations, said Katherine Marshall to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
The Missing Millennium Development Goal is a petition to the governments of the United Nation’s member states, religious leaders and civil society to recognise that the interfaith collaboration is key to achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The Buddhist Coalition for Social Development has led workshops promoting ethnic and religious understandings in local communities.
The GrIP Project was implemented through the funding assistance of the Strengthening Grassroots Interfaith Dialogue and Understanding (SGIDU) Program managed by Australian Embassy Manila.