Statement of SG (RfP International)

Posted on March 5, 2026 by acrp-peace

Secretary General’s Statement on the Conflict in the Middle EastMarch 3, 20263 March 2026, New York, NY: It is with great sadness and deep concern that we witness renewed conflict in the Middle East. We stand in solidarity with the people across the region who are suffering by the current hostilities – above all, the world must prioritize their well-being and respect for human rights, sovereignty and rule of law.Respect for human dignity and the right to life must serve as the primary lens through which all international engagement is viewed. These are not concessions to be granted, but fundamental pillars that cannot be compromised for strategic or military gain. When […]

Message from SG

Posted on March 2, 2026 by acrp-peace

A Call for Immediate Stop Violence in the Middle Eastby Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of Religions for Peace AsiaI express my deepest concern over both the attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, and the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran. I call for an immediate end to this violence.Tragically, lives have already been lost. As is always the case in armed conflict, it is innocent civilians who pay the ultimate price. We must end the fighting at once and prioritize the protection and rescue of human lives above all else.The international community must exert its full influence to bring all parties back to the negotiating table […]

New SG of RfP New Zealand

Posted on February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by acrp-peace

Congratulations! We are happy to introduce new Secretary General of RfP Aotearoa New Zealand! Dr. Mary Eastham QSM is a Trustee of the Religious Diversity Centre in Aotearoa (RDC) and a member of the RDC Climate Action Group. A member of the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) since 2004, Mary was appointed an APTO Fellow in 2021. From 2011 until 2022, Mary was a member of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Committee for Interfaith Relations and chaired the Palmerston North Interfaith Group. In 2023, she was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for Services to Interfaith Communities in the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List. .

Korea & Japan Youth Exchange Program

Posted on February 2, 2026 by acrp-peace

From 18 to 19 of December 2025, the 15th Korea and Japan Youth Exchange Program has held at the Kinpusenji Temple (World Heritage) in Nara Prefecture in Japan. Co-hosted by Korean Conference of Religions for Peace (KCRP) and WCRP/RfP Japan Youth Committee.Beginning in 1990, this event promotes dialogue and fosters friendship among young religious people from Korea and Japan. It has been held for over 35 years.Day1Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu, Chair of WCRP/RfP Japan, delivered the welcome speech in the opening session.The first day began with participants getting to know each other. After learning about the venue, Kinpusen-ji Temple, they were given the opportunity to experience Shugendo practices.Though the climb was […]

Report from RfP Bangladesh

Posted on January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by acrp-peace

In January 2026, Religions for Peace Bangladesh hosted a high-level mission to Cox’s Bazar by Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, and Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP). The visit represented a strong expression of solidarity and collaboration among the international, regional, and national bodies of Religions for Peace, reaffirming their shared commitment to peacebuilding through interfaith dialogue, humanitarian action, and ethical leadership.　Religions for Peace (RfP) Bangladesh Chapter organized a children’s art competition titled “Art for Peace” in Cox’s Bazar as part of its continued commitment to promoting a culture of peace, interreligious harmony, and social […]

RfP Mongolia Report

Posted on December 23, 2025 by acrp-peace

Strengthening Religions for Peace Mongolia:Interreligious Cooperation and Peace AdvocacyUlaanbaatar, Mongolia. Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Asia, in partnership with Religions for Peace Mongolia, convened a series of strategic meetings and a High-Level Interreligious Forum from 9 to 11 December 2025 in Ulaanbaatar. The gathering aimed to strengthen Religions for Peace Mongolia’s role in advancing interreligious cooperation, peace advocacy, and shared well-being at the national, regional, and global levels.Mongolia offers a unique and fertile ground for interreligious collaboration. Rooted in a long tradition of religious tolerance and pluralism—where Buddhism coexists alongside Muslim, Christian, Shamanist, and other faith traditions—the country provides important lessons for peaceful coexistence. Across the meetings, […]

Statement from RfP Japan

Posted on December 23, 2025December 23, 2025 by acrp-peace

December 15, 2025 Statement by Religions for Peace JapanFollowing the Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Partiesto the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban ConventionThe Twenty-Second Meeting of the States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 1 to 5. “The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (formally known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction was initiated at an international conference in […]

Message from RfP Australia

Posted on December 15, 2025 by acrp-peace

Religions for Peace Australia – and its affiliates – extends deepest sympathies to the victims of the tragic shooting at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14 December 2025. This appalling, senseless attack on the Chabad Jews of New South Wales was during their Hanukkah by the Sea event at Bondi Beach, on the evening of Sunday 14 December.Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims, their families and everyone impacted by this unspeakable act of violence targeting our Australian Jewish community. We extend our sympathies to the Jewish community, who will be deeply impacted by this terrorist incident, at a time of year when they should be coming together to celebrate the start […]

[Online Event] ACC21 & ACRP Tokyo

Posted on December 10, 2025December 10, 2025 by acrp-peace

On the afternoon of Saturday, December 13th, we will host an online forum themed “Listening to the Voices of Filipino Children and Considering What We Can Do,” welcoming staff from a local NGO in the Philippines with years of experience supporting street children, along with children receiving this support!Currently, it is estimated that approximately 100 million “street children” live worldwide, with at least 370,000 in the Philippines alone. What are the circumstances that lead them to the streets, and what are their thoughts and feelings as they live there?At this forum, you will have the opportunity to hear directly from staff of the “Kuya Center for Street Children,” which continues […]

Message from SG

Posted on December 2, 2025 by acrp-peace

I am deeply saddened by the extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall, flooding and landslide in Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.I offer my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their lives. I sincerely pray for the prompt rescue of those still awaiting rescue.Recovery from this immense devastation will be challenging and will require long-term efforts. Now more than ever, the people of the affected countries and regions need international support. ACRP strengthens our solidarity with those who have suffered and walk together toward recovery. I sincerely pray for the speedy recovery of the disaster-stricken areas, and the true restoration of peace and security for […]