Religions for Peace, UNICEF, and the Join Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities to Host Multi-Faith High-Level Forum
25 March 2024, New York: With numerous health, environmental, and humanitarian crises plaguing the world, Religions for Peace underscores and calls for the urgent need for collaborative efforts between faith-based and secular stakeholders. It is in this context, Religions for Peace International, the largest and most diverse multi-religious coalition to advance peace, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities (JLI) will convene religious leaders, faith actors, development agencies, and institutions to share experiences and craft recommendations towards taking tangible actions to address critical global challenges, during the Multi-Faith High-Level Forum: Advancing Positive Outcomes for Children, Families and Communities from 26-27 March 2024 in New York City.
The Multi-Faith High Level Forum is expected to provide a platform for shared learning on children’s issues, leveraging experiences from the Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) Initiative and sharing best practices and interventions in faith engagement and collaboration to respond to cross-cutting issues faced by communities. Amongst the participants, Religions for Peace and partners have invited children to contribute virtually their vision of peace, providing them a voice as key stakeholders during this Forum.
Religions for Peace, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will also honour and learn from the vital efforts of women of faith in advancing multi-religious collaboration, human rights, peace, and security, during the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award Ceremony on 26 March 2024.
Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General of Religions for Peace noted “This Multi-Faith High-Level Forum serves as a beacon of hope, bringing together diverse voices to address pressing global challenges. Together, we can harness the power of faith to create positive change for all.”
Ms. Anurita Bains, acting as UNICEF’s Deputy Director of programmes, highlighted “religion has a profound impact on individual behaviors, social norms and collective action. UNICEF is very pleased with the pledge of support of faith actors to address the most pressing issues facing children – the climate crisis, violence and harmful practices, the need to access quality health care, including immunisation”.
Participants in the Multi-Faith High-Level Forum will include senior religious leaders, representatives from Religions for Peace’s Women of Faith networks, youth interfaith networks, regional and national Interreligious Councils, faith-based organisations, and various UN agencies.
Journalists and media personnel are invited to attend the Multi-Faith High Level Forum and interview key participants of the Forum and the winners of the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award. To receive the programme of speakers or to confirm your participation, please reach out to Ms. Sohaa Khan, Media and Communications Specialist (skhan@rfp.org), no later than 25 March 2024. No journalists or media personnel will be allowed into the venue without first registering with and prior consent from Religions for Peace.
For media inquiries and interview scheduling, please contact:
Ms. Sohaa Khan, Media and Communications Specialist, Religions for Peace (skhan@rfp.org)