How Liberal Religion Spearheaded Protection of Belief: Anniversary of the 1981 UN Declaration
“Considering that religion or belief, for anyone who professes either, is one of the fundamental elements in his conception of life…”
November 25 marks a pivotal, yet often overlooked, milestone in the history of human rights. On this day in 1981, after nearly two decades of geopolitical gridlock, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 36/55: the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief., the first international instru ment dedicated solely to freedom of religion.
While the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the foundation, it was this 1981 document that finally codified the specific rights of conscience—freedom to worship, to teach, to publish, and to organize—into international norms. But this victory was not inevitable. It was achieved through the tenacious intervention of civil society when governments had all but given up.
The story of the 1981 Declaration is, in large part, a story of liberal religion. Through the leadership of the IARF and our member groups—particularly the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)—our representatives spearheaded the consensus that protects the rights of believers and non-believers alike.
Deep Roots: A Legacy of Visionary Activism
Long before the Declaration was drafted, the IARF recognized that religious freedom required a global political framework. As detailed in the IARF’s Centennial Reflections, this engagement began with Elvira Fradkin, a visionary American Unitarian from Montclair, New Jersey.
Present at the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, Fradkin understood early on that the new world order needed the voice of liberal religion. It was her persistence that convinced the IARF to register with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the 1950s—one of fewer than 300 NGOs to do so at the time. Her work laid the logistical and moral groundwork for the battles that would come decades later.
The Cold War Deadlock: Diplomacy Over Dogma
By 1972, the UN’s effort to create a binding treaty on religious freedom had stalled completely. The drafting process was paralyzed by the rigidity of the Cold War. The Soviet bloc refused to sign any document that did not explicitly protect atheism and shield the state from “religious interference.” Meanwhile, various Western and Islamic nations clashed over the definition of religious rights, particularly regarding the right to change one’s religion.
In this vacuum of political will, religious freedom was becoming a casualty of superpower posturing. This is where the IARF and the UUA played their most decisive role. Because liberal religion honors the inherent dignity of all paths—theistic, non-theistic, and atheistic—our representatives were uniquely positioned to bridge the ideological divide.
Two leaders from our community were central to breaking the impasse:
- Prof. Auguste-Raynald Werner, the IARF Representative in Geneva. A distinguished Professor of International Law, Werner worked tirelessly within the UN Commission on Human Rights. He used his legal expertise to craft language capable of satisfying opposing political blocs, ensuring the text was robust enough to protect rights but flexible enough to pass.
- Dr. Homer A. Jack, a Unitarian Universalist minister serving as Secretary-General of the WCRP. He spearheaded the “Gang of Four” NGOs that refused to let the issue die. When member states moved to shelve the draft, Jack mobilized the NGO community to pressure the General Assembly to prioritize a non-binding Declaration over a doomed Treaty—a strategic pivot that saved the project.
The “Religion or Belief” Compromise
One of the most significant contributions of the liberal religious lobby was the insistence on the phrasing “Religion or Belief.” This distinction was not merely semantic; it was the key to consensus. It ensured that the Declaration covered theistic faiths, non-theistic traditions, and atheistic views equally.
This inclusivity satisfied the Eastern bloc’s demand for the protection of non-religious convictions while aligning perfectly with the IARF’s principle of universal tolerance. It established a precedent that remains vital today: that freedom of conscience belongs to everyone, not just the religious.
Connecting the Dots: A Legacy of Action
The adoption of the Declaration was a victory, but as Dr. Jack noted in his memoirs, Homer’s Odyssey, a declaration without enforcement is just paper. The IARF’s leadership was central to building the machinery that enforces these rights today.
Institutionalizing Freedom: The Role of Sue Nichols
The creation of the NGO Committee in New York—the primary body that coordinates civil society advocacy on this issue today—was inextricably linked to the IARF and the UUA.
Sue Nichols, who co-directed the Unitarian Universalist UN Office with her husband Vernon, served as the IARF’s representative on the ground in New York during this critical period. Following the commissioning of the seminal “Salzberg Study” by Dr. Jack to explore implementation strategies, Nichols took the lead in formalizing the NGO coalition.
She became the founding President of the NGO Committee in New York. Under her leadership, the committee moved from an informal pressure group to a recognized powerhouse within the UN system. It established the tradition of the “Annual Day” to commemorate the 1981 Declaration and works directly with the Special Rapporteur to highlight violations globally.
A Continuing Responsibility
The 1981 Declaration remains the most important international instrument for religious freedom since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It serves as the basis for the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and laid the groundwork for modern diplomatic breakthroughs, such as Human Rights Council Resolution 16/18, which shifted the focus from protecting abstract religions to protecting living human beings from discrimination.
Today, the IARF continues this work as an active member of the NGO Committees on Freedom of Religion or Belief in both New York and Geneva. We honor the legacy of Fradkin, Werner, Jack, and Nichols not by looking backward, but by continuing to press for the rights of all people—regardless of their creed—to believe, or not believe, in freedom.
We Are Still Active Today
The IARF continues to honor this legacy. We remain an active member of the NGO Committees on Freedom of Religion or Belief in both New York and Geneva, working with the Special Rapporteur to ensure rights are respected.
Get Involved: IARF members are warmly invited to join our International Engagement Working Group to support our continued advocacy at the United Nations.
- Read “Centennial Reflections”: The full chapter on the IARF at the United Nations by Ruth Neuendorffer and Sue Nichols is available in our library for detailed historical context.
- Memoirs: For a personal account of the diplomatic struggle, see “Homer’s Odyssey” by Dr. Homer Jack.
- Primary Source: Read the full text of the 1981 Declaration.
IARF Endorses Statements on Women’s Rights and Minority Religious Identity
INVINCIBLE: Peace and Conflict Resolution for Young Adults
The youth wing of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) brought its peace and conflict resolution program to Mumbai, targeting young leaders at Pramod Ram Ujagar Tiwari Saket Institute of Management (PRUTSIM). The December 14 event, called “INVINCIBLE,” engaged participants aged 18-25 in conversations about peace-building and understanding conflict.
Janhvi Gupte kicked off with an ice-breaker that got participants talking openly about tough issues. This approach worked especially well, creating an atmosphere where students felt comfortable discussing conflict and its resolution.
Aayush Soni followed with an overview of IARF and RFYN’s work worldwide, showing students how they could get involved in peace-building efforts.
The program took a serious turn as participants explored the consequences of conflict, examining the Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombing. Gupte’s presentation on history’s deadliest wars brought home the reality of conflict, while photos of Hiroshima created a lasting impact. The story of Sadako Sasaki, a survivor who became a symbol of peace, resonated deeply with participants.
Discussions then moved to practical applications, exploring how peace affects daily life. Participants examined personal, social, and environmental aspects of peace-building, looking at concrete ways to resolve conflicts in their own lives.
The program wrapped up in PRUTSIM’s library, where participants viewed posters from Japan showing the impact of nuclear weapons. This exhibition drove home the real consequences of war.
In a spontaneous show of commitment, participants took a peace pledge, promising never to support nuclear weapons. Their engagement and feedback showed the program hit its mark.
The event ended with Immanuel Manish Daniel encouraging participants to join RFYN’s peace efforts. PRUTSIM’s support, including presenting appreciation certificates to facilitators, demonstrated their commitment to peace education.
INVINCIBLE at PRUTSIM showed that young people engage enthusiastically with peace initiatives when presented in relevant, interactive ways. The participants’ response suggests a growing awareness of the importance of conflict resolution skills among future leaders.
Empowering Foundations: Advancing Equality and Opportunity through Rural Engagement
In a significant demonstration of international interest in rural India’s development initiatives, David Moss, Senior Vice President and Head of Trading Compliance at a leading New York-based investment management company, conducted an extensive two-day visit to various IARF-RFYN projects in Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, during October 19-20, 2024. The visit showcased remarkable achievements in youth empowerment, interfaith harmony, and women’s economic development.
Youth Empowerment and Skill Development
At the heart of the visit was a compelling session at Sony Computer Education centre, where Moss engaged with RFYN, aspiring professionals, sharing invaluable insights about global finance career opportunities. Moving beyond traditional accounting roles, he emphasized critical skills needed in today’s financial sector, including professional email communication, financial fundamentals, and proficiency in digital tools such as Excel and Google Sheets. Moss particularly stressed the importance of staying informed about global financial trends.
The impact of his guidance was evident in the enthusiastic response from participants, who presented him with a hand-sketched portrait as a token of their appreciation.
Interfaith Harmony and Educational Initiatives
The visit highlighted significant strides in promoting interfaith harmony through education and cultural exchange. Moss visited Anjuman English Medium school, An Urdu school which stands as a beacon of religious integration. The school’s unique approach ensures children aged 5-13 years from various religious backgrounds study together, fostering early understanding of religious diversity. Despite language barriers, students made commendable efforts to interact with Moss in English, demonstrating their commitment to global communication skills.
Further emphasizing the interfaith aspect, Moss visited a local Jain temple, where Mr. Deepak raj Jain provided insights into Jain philosophy and traditions. This cultural exchange exemplified the program’s commitment to promoting understanding across different communities.
Vocational Training and Career Development
A significant portion of the visit focused on RFYN’s innovative ‘Careerfirst’ initiative, which bridges the gap between underprivileged youth and employment opportunities through government-sponsored vocational training. Moss visited several prestigious training centres, including CII (Confederation of indian industries), ATDC (Apparel Training & Design Centre), and Ashok Leyland’s training facility in Chhindwara. During these visits, he engaged directly with students, learning about their economic backgrounds and aspirations. His encouragement to complete their courses and pursue career goals resonated strongly with the trainees.
Women Empowerment and Rural Economic Development
In Bamhni village near Tamiya block, situated 95 km from Chhindwara, Moss witnessed the transformative impact of RFYN India’s women empowerment projects, which have shown remarkable success over the past 7-8 years. The village, predominantly tribal and challenged by work opportunities, has been uplifted through a collaborative initiative involving Cosmo foundation, Sony Computer Education and RFYN.
The installation of Chironji de-shelling machines has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for women’s self-help groups. This initiative processes seeds from the Buchanania lanzan plant, a high-value dry fruit with strong export demand, particularly in Gulf countries. Villagers shared how this mechanization has provided an additional benefit to their economic conditions.
Leadership and Recognition
During his visit, Moss met with IARF Chhindwara Branch members to learn about the organization’s history and development in the region. The success of these various initiatives is attributed to a dedicated team of professionals, including Mr. Manoj Soni (Secretary, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mr. Aayush Soni (RFYN Representative and VP, IARF), Mr. Immanuel Manish Daniel (Senior Member, IARF), Dr. SA Brown (Ex. Council Member, IARF), Dr. KK Shrivastava (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ansari (Founding Member of IARF Chhindwara branch), Mr. Ratnesh Jain (IARF Member), Mr. Vishwesh Chandel (Member, IARF Chhindwara Branch), Mrs. Kirti Soni (Director, Sony Computer Education), and Ms. Janhvi Gupte (Ex. VP and RFYN Representative, IARF).
Future Implications
“The synergy between various stakeholders – from government agencies to educational institutions and community organizations – is what makes these initiatives truly successful,”
Moss observed during his concluding remarks. The visit highlighted how targeted interventions, when properly executed, can create sustainable change in rural communities while promoting education, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony.
The success of these programs, particularly in Bamhni village and through the Careerfirst initiative, demonstrates the effectiveness of RFYN’s approach in identifying and bridging gaps between job seekers and employers. This model of rural development, combining skill development, women’s empowerment, and interfaith harmony, could serve as a template for similar initiatives across rural India.
The comprehensive nature of David Moss’s visit not only highlighted the impact of RFYN’s initiatives but also strengthened the connection between global expertise and local development efforts in rural India, setting a promising precedent for future international collaborations in rural development.
From the ICCGC-CoNGO Confernece
The CoNGO-ICCGC Global Futures Conference, held on August 26 and 27, 2024, at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York, marked a significant assembly at the nexus of religion and civil society, dedicated to charting pathways toward a globally harmonious, just, peaceable, and sustainable future for people and their communities, the planet, and the entire ecological system.
The New York Conference partnered with the Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens (ICCGC) and the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) to collectively pursue peace, human security, dignity, and planetary sustainability. This collaboration emphasized local and global cooperation and solidarity across cultures and religions, while remaining mindful of diverse and uneven economic, social, and political conditions.
This conference aimed at igniting transformative dialogues and initiatives on a range of issues that are pressing both locally and globally. (Excerpt from Concept Note prepared by ICCGC)
This conference was hosted by Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens (ICCGC), Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), and Won Buddhism. There were five sessions: Session 1. Global Ethics & Global Citizens, Session 2. Towards a Global Peace, Session 3. Dialogue between Religions and Civil Society, Session 4. Youth for Climate Action, and Session 5. Global Citizenship Education for Future Generation.
The moderator of Session 5. Global Citizenship Education for Future Generation was Kathy R. Matsui, one of the New York UN representatives of IARF. Global Citizenship education encourages global citizens to be independent, to develop global perspectives, to build harmony among people from other countries and ethnic groups, to understand diversity through cross-cultural education, to respect the Earth and all living beings, and to promote global well-being while enriching their lives. The four panelists discussed the following: how global citizenship is practiced in real life, what GCED is to the individual panelists, how GCED is implemented in their specific role and environment, and what message each panelist has for the youth and our future leaders. Furthermore, session 5 focused on the principles, values and criteria needed to practice global citizenship education. Having learned from the past, with the advancement of science and technology, the panelists further discussed what is our mission to appreciate and put to practice an education that would enhance the creativity and innovative values of the future generation, a generation that can think in terms of what can be done for the benefit of all, what can be done to protect and respect the life and dignity of all living beings.
The first speaker of the four panelists of this session was Dr. Robert Catalano, presently a professor at Sophia University close to Florence, Italy. He has also served as Director of center for interreligious dialogue of the Focalare for 13 years. The second speaker was Dr. Janet Gerson, Education Director of the International Institute on Peace Education. She is also Co-Director Emeritus, Peace Education Center, Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC.
The 3rd speaker was Professor Russell Pearce, the Edward & Marilyn Bellet Chair in Legal Ethics, Morality and Religion at Fordham University School of Law. Our final speaker was Rev. James A. Lynch, Jr., a Reverend authorized by the lay Buddhist Organization Rissho Kosei Kai. He is also an official representative for Rissho Kosei Kai to the United Nations.
The session ended as the panelists and the participants danced along with the song the final speaker, Rev. Lynch played in his presentation, a song by Cat Stevens.
Session 5 has fulfilled our collaborative pursuit of an education that prepares global citizens to practice collective peace and human security, human dignity, and planetary sustainability, and local and global cooperation and solidarity, across cultures and religions, and mindful of uneven and diverse economic, social and political conditions.
Global Citizens Pursuing a Just, Peaceable, Inclusive and Sustainable Future: An ICCGC-CoNGO Collaborative Conference
The CoNGO-ICCGC Global Futures Conference, scheduled for August 26 and 27, 2024, at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York, marks a significant assembly at the nexus of religion and civil society, dedicated to charting pathways toward a globally harmonious, just, peaceable, and sustainable future for people and their communities, the planet, and the entire ecological system.
The New York Conference partners with the Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens (ICCGC) and the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) to collectively pursue peace, human security, dignity, and planetary sustainability. This collaboration emphasizes local and global cooperation and solidarity across cultures and religions, while remaining mindful of diverse and uneven economic, social, and political conditions.
This conference aims to ignite transformative dialogues and initiatives on a range of issues that are pressing both locally and globally. (Excerpt from Concept Note prepared by ICCGC)
This conference is hosted by Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens (ICCGC), Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), and Won Buddhism. There are five sessions:
- Session 1. Global Ethics & Global Citizens
- Session 2. Towards a Global Peace
- Session 3. Dialogue between Religions and Civil Society
- Session 4. Youth for Climate Action
- Session 5. Global Citizenship Education for Future Generation
The moderator of Session 5. Global Citizenship Education for Future Generation is Kathy R. Matsui, one of the New York UN representatives of IARF. Global citizenship education (GCED) is needed to face the challenges of the 21st Century and the challenges of the VUCA world, which is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Global Citizenship education encourages global citizens to be independent, to develop global perspectives, to build harmony among people from other countries and ethnic groups, to understand diversity through cross-cultural education, to respect the Earth and all living beings, and to promote global well-being while enriching their lives.
Global citizenship education offers opportunities for youth and adults to learn to create imaginative solutions to world problems, to help solve diverse global issues, and to become active citizens to make changes in society for the good of everyone. In this session, panelists will discuss the following: how global citizenship is practiced in real life, what GCED is to the individual panelists, how GCED is implemented in their specific role and environment, and what message each panelist has for the youth and our future leaders.
The speakers of this session are:
- Panelist 1: Dr. Roberto Catalano (Professor, Sophia University Institute, Italy)
- Panelist 2: Dr. Janet Gerson (Education Director, International Institute on Peace Education)
- Panelist 3: Dr. Russell Pearce (Professor, Fordham University)
- Panelist 4: Rev. James Lynch (Representative for Rissho Kosei Kai to United Nations)
Sony Computer Education and GVAN Celebrates World Environment Day
World Environment Day 2024
On the occasion of World Environment Day, the international organization IARF, in collaboration with the esteemed district institution Sony Computer Education and GVAN, a dedicated entity for environmental protection and conservation, organized a transformative tree plantation event in the garden at the district hospital premises.
This remarkable initiative was spearheaded by IARF Vice President Aayush Soni and Manish Daniel. Vishwesh Chandel, President of GVAN Samiti, underscored the urgent need to address the global warming crisis. He passionately emphasized that planting and protecting trees is not just an option but a necessity for a sustainable future. He called upon everyone to pledge to plant and nurture at least one tree, thus becoming active guardians of our planet. During this inspiring event, saplings of Amaltas, Christmas Tree, Bael, and Banyan were lovingly planted.
In light of the ongoing water crisis and the sudden increase in temperatures causing severe heat waves, Chandel highlighted the critical importance of such initiatives. Planting trees is a powerful act of hope and resilience, providing much-needed shade, enhancing air quality, and preserving our precious water resources.
The event was graced by the presence of Mrs. Kirti Soni and Manoj Soni, Directors of Sony Computer Education, along with Manish Daniel and our GVAN members.
Our collective progress empowers us to proudly say that we are no longer just planting trees or saplings; we are cultivating vibrant gardens. This transformation stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we are making a profound impact, turning our vision of a healthier planet into a beautiful reality. Let us continue this journey with renewed vigor and dedication, knowing that every tree we plant today is a gift to future generations.
Update from the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women
Rev. Dr. Esther Suter, our main representative to the UN, has written a short update on the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). It touches upon critical issues discussed during the event, including the challenges faced by women in the digital age, the importance of including young voices in the fight for gender equality, and the ongoing struggle between cultural practices and universal human rights. A more detailed report from the event will follow.
Pushback against the Pushback
The 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women received 10,600 registrations from NGOs, and 4,800 participants travelled to New York.
At the Town Hall Meeting for civil society on March 13, the General Secretary Antonio Guterres warned that AI is a male-dominated and defined field that ignores a women-specific mindset. This ‘Digital Gender Divide’ must be bridged. He encouraged women to work together with like-minded men. These men could take on the persuasive work that is difficult for women to carry out in discussions with religious (male) leaders about gender equality or domestic violence. The topic of male values about masculinity in education of boys and for adult men must be reintroduced in order to raise awareness of stereotypical patterns. “Pushback against the pushback,” he advised.
One visible success is the inclusion of the younger generation. Young women like 18-year-old Toniyah made a statement: As an African-American, she spoke about the changing narrative that black voices are not being heard. She belongs to Black Girls Rising Inc., an organization in Ohio that accompanies black girls and focuses on their mental and emotional health. A research project follows girls growing up and examines how they experience their world and how they are affected by stress factors. They want to change the narrative that their voices are not important enough and try out positions of power where they are heard. So Toniyah can say: “We are the youth, so therefore we are the future.”
Cultural or (female) human right?
An African woman in a parallel event told about a “pushback”: In 2015, Gambia banned female circumcision by law and punished it with up to three years in prison. Politicians supported a controversial bill on March 18 to lift this ban. The Gambia would be the first country in the world to remove legal protection from such a harmful practice for millions of women and girls, on the grounds of the (male) petitioner that the ban violates the rights of citizens. This practice is in keeping with an ancient culture and religion in what is now a predominantly Muslim country. Genital circumcision (also known as genital mutilation) is internationally classified as a harmful practice and contradicts universal human rights.
The Gambia organized a side event on “Empowering Women and Girls by addressing Poverty through Sexual and Gender Based Violence financing in the Gambia” with the First Lady of the Republic of Gambia. Neither in the introduction nor in the votes was the possible change in the law mentioned. The reports focused on measures such as the establishment of “Shelter.” The issue of violence against women and girls was described in general terms, without mentioning FGM or referring to it as violence. One journalist asked directly, and the official answer was that this bill would not be presented to parliament. It remains to be seen whether women in the Gambia will sufficiently oppose such a bill. Could this example indicate a new trend? Or will it create opposing forces and help deepen the issue of cultural and religious identity?
9th Annual UN Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs
The Ninth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-based Organizations in International -affairs attracted more than 600 people. It was held online on January 24, 2023 exploring the theme “Securing People’s Wellbeing and Planetary Sustainability”, and was organized by the World Council of Churches and a coalition of around 27 faith-based organizations, institutions and UN-partner organizations with experts on climate change, disarmament and other relevant topics related to the SDGs.
The annual symposium on the role of religion and faith-based organizations in international affairs was initiated in 2015, parallel to the SDGs by the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the WCC. Today the symposium co-organizing entities and partners have grown to include denominational, ecumenical, multireligious and faith-based groups including long-time co-organizers ACT Alliance, Religions for Peace, Islamic Relief-USA and the United Religions Initiative. From 2017 onwards the Interfaith Task Force on Religion and Sustainability Development – currently representing 27 entities within the UN system cooperated as a co-organizer. The annual symposium was conceived as a space to focus on how religious and partner faith-based organizations could reinforce engagement around shared concerns of human dignity, human rights and sustainable development. It serves as an event for conversation to identify and deepen the multidisciplinary aspects of the permanent general theme on human rights and human dignity. The symposium is held annually on a date in January close to the birthday (January 15) of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rev. Dr. Liberato C. Bautista, assistant general secretary for UN and international affairs, Methodist, President of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CoNGO) opened the over five hours lasting symposium and reminded of former symposiums: the 6th symposium 2020 was intended to reflect on the planned processes to review progress 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action and the state of multilateralism at the 75th anniversary of the UN, but was postponed. Given the importance of the theme, a smaller but well-resourced workshop for faith-based organizations was held instead. In 2021 a virtual symposium focused on accelerating Gender Equality, Equity and Justice. The succeeding 2022 symposium was also held virtually on a theme focused on “Mobilizing Moral Influence and Governance to end the Systematic Injustices of Racism, the Legacy of Colonialism and Slavery”.
The themes identified with work by faith-based organizations are not alien to UN partners. The active collaboration by faith-based organizations, UN partners and member-states underscore the concern for joint and concerted action and transformative solidarity among all actors.
Some UN officials and leaders of civil society reflected why faith-actors are critical actors:
Maria Fernanda Espinosa (former President of UN-GA) reflected the necessity to retool and spiritually reground the UN system. Backsliding is happening in almost all SDGs. What does keep us back? Either are we paralyzed and dispaired or the crisis is pushing as to act. It is a multiple crisis. We have knowledge and technics to make it better. The big gap lies between knowledge and action. If faith as religion or faith in humanity, UN or other is motivating and pushing us to action, do not accept that science is the leader, that was the case for a very long time.
Beatriz Schulthess (Priestess, Founder and President of Indigenous Peoples Ancestral Spiritual Council and member of Qulla/Kolla Nation and Co-president Religions for Peace) informed that indigenous people gathered and asked, what sustainability could mean. They discovered that it means what they always were doing. But other cultures decided that it means to serve themselves at the detriment and damage for other cultures.
Prof. Dr. Azza Karam (General Secretary Religions for Peace) moderated the panel on “Framing Human Security as Shared Security for People and the Planet”. She explained that she started her work at UN 20 years ago to show how relevant the role of religion is.
Audrey Kitagawa criticized the five belligerent veto nations in the Security Council which since its foundation fended off threats of wars and failed with Russia. “How can we support the security council?” she asked. NGOs, Faith-based and multifaceted institutions all should speak in one voice to protect human rights. Religious faith leaders should cooperate with governments for the security of people and their coexistence. Although this is difficult. Humans are egoistic.
Bishop Heinrich Bedford Strohm (Moderator oft he Central Committee of the World Council of Churches, Lutheran Church of Bavaria) encouraged that religion not only reaches the heads of people but their hearts. Therefore religious communities are so important in questions of human wellbeing and planetary sustainability for questions about life-style and behavior. They only can successfully put forward if political change is connected with a change of mind, of hearts. He is persuaded that churches and religious communities in general are ideal agents for the world wide civil society. They are deeply rooted in local communities and at the same time they live in a global horizon in strengthening their faith in God who created heaven and earth. Bedford Strohm reminded the WCC Consultation on Justice, Peace and Safeguard of Creation in 1990 in Seoul: all appeals in this connection were already made as recommendations and only now they reached governments. The Assembly of WCC in Karlsruhe 2022 has again emphasized and focused on the necessary change to be made.
Archbishop Gabriele Giordano Cacca (Apostolic Nuntius and Permanent Observer of the Holy See at UN) considers the crisis, out of a Christian understanding, as an imbalance of the human heart. Truth is that God created every human being to his (her) image. We should carry responsibility about our actions, for the four pillars for peace are: truth, justice, freedom and solidarity.
Amanda Ellis (former Ambassador, New Zealand) reminded that women are still excluded from preace processes and negotiations. Her question is: “Can human security become an unifying paradigm for humanity?” This question was taken up into further consideration.
IALRW’s Congress to Follow the IARF Congress on 7-9 September 2023
The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is delighted to announce that our member organisation, the International Association of Liberal Religious Women (IALRW), will be hosting their World Congress in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) from the 7th to the 8th of September, 2023. This congress comes directly after the IARF World Congress, presenting a unique opportunity to attend both events in succession.
The congress will be held under the theme “Religion in Action: From Reconciliation to Inclusive Diversity”, reflecting the IALRW’s ongoing dedication to fostering dialogue and understanding among women of diverse faith traditions. Although the speakers for the event have not yet been confirmed, we assure you that the lineup will consist of some of the most insightful voices in the field. We will be publishing the program shortly, so please keep an eye on our website for updates.
The World Congress will be graciously hosted by the Hungarian Unitarian Church at the House of Religious Freedom, a historic 15th-century townhouse located in Cluj-Napoca. Known as one of the oldest and most significant townhouses in the city, the House of Religious Freedom has been lovingly restored by the Hungarian Unitarian Church and is dedicated to promoting the ideals of religious freedom and tolerance.
IALRW’s history is rooted in the IARF, and its focus on women’s issues in religious communities and interfaith cooperation remains a cornerstone of its mission. The organisation welcomes women from liberal faith communities around the world, fostering an environment of mutual support in the search for spiritual enrichment and identity. We are confident that this upcoming World Congress will be a testament to this mission, offering attendees the chance to engage in enriching dialogue and meaningful action.
For further information about the World Congress, please contact Dr. Esther Suter at [email protected]. You can also visit the IALRW website at https://www.ialrw.org/ to learn more about their ongoing projects, recent research, and member organisations.
The IARF and IALRW look forward to welcoming you in Cluj-Napoca (Kolozsvár) for these back-to-back congresses. Please mark your calendars and join us in fostering interfaith dialogue and inclusive diversity.