Religions for Peace: A Call for Peace in Israel and Gaza

A Statement from the Religions for Peace Executive Committee28 February 2024, New York, NY: After over 140 days of the Israel-Hamas war, Religions for Peace reaffirms its urgent call for peace in the Middle East—and, throughout the world.Undisputedly, the attacks on Israeli and Palestinian civilians are horrific. The acts of murder, rape, capturing civilians, maltreating hostages, targeting residential areas, and restricting access to essential resources such as medical care, food and water are fundamentally inhumane. As both Israelis and Palestinians each grieve the loss of thousands of innocent lives, especially those of women and children, we are reminded that the prioritisation of political interests over the lives of human beings is wholly unacceptable and that Read more about Religions for Peace: A Call for Peace in Israel and Gaza[…]

The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable Statement

Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), concluded the second “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables” which took place from 19-21 February 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable concluded with the Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables Statement that made commitments “to continue to pray and work multi-religiously towards a culture of peace that advances shared well-being, grounded in respect for the sanctity of life and human dignity.”  We, religious leaders, representatives of diverse faiths, bodies, and religious institutions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism) from Colombia, Haiti, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mali, Myanmar, Palestine, Peru, Russia, Spain, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United States, Read more about The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable Statement[…]

Reflections on The 2nd Tokyo Peace Roundtable

Reflections on The 2nd Tokyo Peace RoundtableRev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara The second Tokyo Peace Roundtable, “Beyond War and Towards Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables,” was held for three days from February 19 in 2024, organized by Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan in partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC). Approximately 100 participants from 16 countries, including religious leaders from conflict zones, gathered at the conference. The second roundtable was based on the statement of the first roundtable held in 2022, which called for “religious leaders to build bridges for peacebuilding,” “responsibility for healing communities torn apart by war,” and “continued dialogue to promote cooperation among religious Read more about Reflections on The 2nd Tokyo Peace Roundtable[…]

IMPORTANT: Religions for Peace World Council Announces Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema as Secretary General

Religions for Peace World Council AnnouncesDr. Francis Kuria Kagema as Secretary General. 12 February 2024: The Religions for Peace World Council (Governing Board) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema, as its Secretary General, effective immediately. Dr. Kuria has long played a pivotal role in advancing the organisation’s mission to build bridges of understanding and cooperation among people of diverse faiths and traditions throughout Africa, and as the Secretary General, he is poised to lead the international secretariat office and guide the five regional secretariats of Religions for Peace into a new chapter of global impact for peace.Dr. Kuria assumes the role of Secretary General from his position as the Secretary General Read more about IMPORTANT: Religions for Peace World Council Announces Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema as Secretary General[…]

Announcement: The Second Tokyo Peace Roundtable hosted by RfP International, RfP Japan and UNAOC

Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) will convene diverse religious and faith leaders and actors, policymakers, and experts for the second Multi-Religious Peace Roundtable from 19-21 February 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.REGISTRATION

Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award Winners

Religions for Peace  is delighted to announce the winners of the highly anticipated inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award, recognising and honouring exceptional diverse women of faith who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in advancing gender equality and fostering interfaith cooperation in their communities and beyond. The winners of the inaugural Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award are: Dr. Kezevino Aram, Co-Moderator, Religions for Peace; President, Shanti Ashram; Professor Dr. Nayla Tabbara, Co-President, Religions for Peace; Co-Founder, Adyan Foundation; and, Rev. Sr. Agatha Ogochukwu Chikelue, Chair, Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee (IWCC); Executive Director, Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP), Nun of the Daughters of Mother Mary of Mercy.READ MORE

Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace International presented at FPCC Stocktaking Meeting

Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace International presented to the partners and FBOs the historical timeline of the Faith for Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) during the Five-year Stocktaking and Partnership Review Forum on January 16, 2024.Ms. Deepika traces the long standing partnership between Religions for Peace and Unicef in advocating and working for the rights and welfare of children. She emphasized that the multi-faith collaboration, which is the very nature of Religions for Peace, bringing together different religions to work for common action, has been the key element in sustaining the partnership for a high positive impact to the wellbeing of children Read more about Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace International presented at FPCC Stocktaking Meeting[…]

IMPORTANT: Religions for Peace Executive Committee Announces the Appointment of Ms. Deepika Singh as Deputy Secretary General

The Religions for Peace International Executive Committee announces the appointment of Ms. Deepika Singh as Deputy Secretary General. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThe Religions for Peace International Executive Committee announces the appointment of Ms. Deepika SINGH as Deputy Secretary General effective immediately. The Executive Committee voted unanimously on Ms. Singh’s appointment during its Extraordinary Meeting held virtually on 12 January 2024.Ms. Singh served most recently as the Associate Secretary General and Director of Programmes of Religions for Peace, where she directs overall programme strategy and related implementation and monitoring.Ms. Singh’s commitment to multi-religious action is rooted in decades of experience leading public health initiatives in the developing world, peacebuilding and reconciliation, and sustainable development globally. She Read more about IMPORTANT: Religions for Peace Executive Committee Announces the Appointment of Ms. Deepika Singh as Deputy Secretary General[…]

Religions for Peace in the FPCC Stocktaking Meeting

Nairobi, Kenya.  Religions for Peace, UNICEF and other key partners such as the Joint Learning Initiative on Faith & Local Communities and various faith-based organizations are having a review and assessment meeting on the progress and achievements of the first-five years of the Faith for Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) initiative at the Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club from January 16-17, 2024.The aim of the meeting is to understand the changes and emerging situations, issues, and challenges in order to recalibrate priorities. It is hoped that the meeting will contribute to making the FPCC more effective as a faith engagement mechanism in responding and addressing the Read more about Religions for Peace in the FPCC Stocktaking Meeting[…]