8 February 2024, New York City: Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, with the support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), proudly announce the convening of the second “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables”, scheduled to take place from 19-21 February 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. Building on the success of the inaugural Roundtable in 2022, this event will bring together diverse religious and faith leaders, policymakers, and policy experts in a collaborative effort to explore innovative approaches to effective peacebuilding and discuss the impact of interfaith actions on global challenges.
The Tokyo Peace Roundtable series serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among nations for global peace and stability. Against the backdrop of ongoing violent conflicts worldwide, the urgent need for new and renewed approaches to peacebuilding, led by multi-religious organisations and diverse religious leaders, remains vital and clear. This conference will focus on new strategies while building on past successes, emphasising the urgency of addressing global challenges and the unique role of faith actors.
Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan have set clear objectives for the Roundtable. These include identifying and assessing the specific roles that leaders from diverse faith traditions fulfill in war-torn and humanitarian contexts. The event will also evaluate various strategies employed by multi-religious platforms in reconciliation and rebuilding social cohesion efforts, with a focus on assessing the unique contributions of interreligious dialogue and action in forgiveness and reconciliation. The overarching aim is to glean valuable insights and lessons that can inform the process of effectively (re)building socially cohesive environments.
Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General and Director of Programmes, Religions for Peace notes that “The urgency for multi-religious action has never been more apparent. In a world grappling with complex challenges, the Tokyo Peace Roundtable provides a vital space for religious leaders to unite and discuss shared values and collective responsibility for global peace.” Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General, Religions for Peace Japan, echoes Ms. Singh’s sentiments and says, “At the Tokyo Peace Roundtable, we will witness the convergence of faiths and an acknowledgement that our strength lies in unity. Multi-religious collaboration is not an option but a necessity, transcending differences to forge a path toward a world where peace is the common language spoken by all.” Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC, emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue. “We are delighted to support the Roundtable as a platform for diverse religious perspectives to address global challenges. Religious leaders and faith-based organizations play an important role in cultivating mutual respect and building bridges between and among their communities. It is important now more than ever to promote spaces like this and spark collaborative action towards the shared values of peace, compassion, and unity.”
Journalists are invited to attend the Tokyo Peace Roundtable either in person in Tokyo or virtually via Zoom. Exclusive interview opportunities with key participants are available, and journalists are encouraged to set up interviews in advance. Sensitivity and respect for participants’ privacy, as some may have reservations about interviews or prefer not to disclose their identities publicly, are to be noted.
“We are delighted to support the Roundtable as a platform for diverse religious perspectives to address global challenges. Religious leaders and faith-based organizations play an important role in cultivating mutual respect and building bridges between and among their communities. It is important now more than ever to promote spaces like this and spark collaborative action towards the shared values of peace, compassion, and unity.” — Mr. Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC
About the organizers:
Religions for Peace, founded in 1970, is the world’s oldest, largest, and most representative multi-religious movement, encompassing senior-most religious leaders to grassroots and community level leaders. Led by nearly 100 leaders from different faiths, representing an estimated 6.4 billion people in approximately 100 countries and 6 regions, Religions for Peace drives effective interfaith cooperation on global, regional, national, and local levels to advance peace for people and the planet. At the intersections of all faiths and Indigenous traditions, Religions for Peace stands strong, ready to lead the way to a future where unity reigns supreme, and the promise of peace is realised for people and the planet. For more information, please visit our website: www.rfp.org.
Religions for Peace (RfP) Japan was established in 1972 as a committee for the international issues supported by Japanese Association of Religious Organisations. Religions for Peace Japan is comprised of delegates from Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and newer religious organisations who meet to discuss and practice cooperation for peace, public awareness activities and proposals, peace education and humanitarian contributions. Religions for Peace Japan works together in the Peace Research Institute – whose members are scholars of varied religious backgrounds – as well as women’s and youth groups. It also has the support of those who belong to or appreciate the religious communities represented in its membership. Each of these groups is playing a distinct role in implementing the various projects and activities of Religions for Peace Japan. For more information, please visit our website: www.wcrp.or.jp/en/.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations entity that builds bridges between societies, promotes dialogue and understanding, and seeks to forge the collective political will required to accomplish these tasks. UNAOC works as a convener and facilitator to bring all sectors of society together to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue to diminish hostility, and promote mutual respect and harmony among the people and cultures of the world. Led by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, the Alliance maintains a global network of partners, including states, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, foundations, and the private sector, to improve cross-cultural relations between diverse nations and communities. For more information, please visit www.unaoc.org.