Message to the Movement: The 10th World Assembly and Moving Forward Together

Dear Esteemed Leaders of Religions for Peace,

Congratulations to you on the success of the Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly!

The World Assembly has brought our global movement to a new moment of celebration of nearly half a century of creativity, innovation and resilience built on our multi-religious commitment to, and actions for, peace. There is a shared sense of readiness and determination to welcome and to affirm our 50th anniversary in 2020.

Your commitment and dedicated service to the mission of Religions for Peace were demonstrated in your contributions to, and leadership in, national and regional preparatory consultations and related multi-religious actions through your interreligious councils and the combined power of the interfaith women and youth networks.

The Assembly also brought together an unprecedented number of governmental, inter-governmental and civil society partners supporting Religions for Peace’s global commitments to prevent and transform conflicts, advance just and harmonious societies, promote integral human development and protect the earth.  Our partners took charge of convening interactive workshops designed to equip for action, harvest lessons learned of multi-faith with multi-stakeholder collaboration and develop concrete action points, which were unanimously adopted at the World Assembly.

A special gratitude and appreciation go to the government of Germany, Ring for Peace in Lindau and the Bavarian government for their support, guidance and hospitality throughout the Assembly preparation and implementation.

In addition to electing its new Secretary General, Religions for Peace’s highest leadership body, the World Council, has been elected by 700 voting delegates, who together represent the world’s major religious traditions, affiliated national and regional interreligious councils and interfaith women and youth networks from across 125 countries. As the servant to the World Council, our International Secretariat is committed to working closely with these members and their duly appointed International Executive Committee to develop our Strategic Plan for the next five years, based upon the spirit of the 10th World Assembly Declaration.

We take this opportunity to inform you that, while Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General-Elect’s legal processes with the United States authorities are being finalized, the World Council has appointed Rev. Kyoichi Sugino as Acting Secretary General ad interim.  Rev. Sugino shall be working closely with the Secretary General-Elect during this transition.

As Religions for Peace celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding in 2020, we look forward to further strengthening our partnership with all the stakeholders, in the realization of peace, and deepening the impact of our shared mission and action with your leadership, guidance and support.

With gratitude and esteem for you and the communities you serve and represent, we remain

Sincerely yours,

Prof. Azza Karam, Secretary General-Elect

Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Secretary General-ad interim