Religions for Peace

Religions for Peace
Name	Religions for Peace
Founded	0 1970
Location	New York City, United States
Key people	Azza Karam (Secretary-General), John Onaiyekan (Co-President), Katherine Marshall (Co-President)
Website	https://www.rfp.org

Religions for Peace is a global, multi-religious coalition dedicated to promoting peace and justice through interfaith cooperation. Founded in 1970, it operates through a worldwide network of Interreligious Councils at national and regional levels, bringing together senior leaders from the world's religious traditions. The organization facilitates collaborative action on critical issues such as conflict transformation, sustainable development, and human dignity. Its work is grounded in the conviction that religious communities are essential partners in building a peaceful world.

History

The origins trace back to the 1960s, with pioneering interfaith dialogues that culminated in the first World Conference of Religions for Peace held in Kyoto in 1970, convened by figures like Homer A. Jack. This assembly, attended by religious leaders from numerous traditions, formally established the World Conference of Religions for Peace, later known simply as Religions for Peace. Subsequent world assemblies were held in locations including Leuven, Princeton, New Jersey, Nairobi, Melbourne, Amman, and Vienna, each addressing the global challenges of their era, from the Cold War to post-9/11 tensions. The organization played a significant role in mobilizing religious responses during conflicts in regions like the Balkans and Sierra Leone.

Organization and structure

The governance is led by a World Council, comprising senior religious leaders from all regions, which sets strategic direction. The day-to-day operations are managed by an International Secretariat headquartered in New York City, with regional secretariats in places like Bangkok, Berlin, and Nairobi. Its unique structure is built upon a decentralized network of over 90 National Interreligious Councils and several Regional Interreligious Councils, such as the African Council of Religious Leaders. These bodies are autonomous but affiliated, allowing for context-specific action within a global framework. The United Nations grants it consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Activities and initiatives

Core initiatives focus on multi-religious collaboration in areas of peace and security, sustainable development, and human rights. This includes facilitating religiously-mediated peacebuilding in conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Myanmar. The organization runs the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme. It also coordinates the Global Women of Faith Network and the Interfaith Youth Network to empower these groups as agents of change. During crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it mobilized its networks for humanitarian response and countering stigma.

Affiliated organizations

The global network includes affiliated regional bodies like the European Council of Religious Leaders and the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace. National affiliates range from the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, instrumental in ending the civil war, to the Interfaith Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It maintains partnerships with international bodies including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, as well as with secular NGOs like the International Committee of the Red Cross. These affiliations enable coordinated action from the local to the global level.

Leadership

Leadership is drawn from high-level religious figures globally. The current Secretary-General is Azza Karam, a scholar and former senior advisor at the United Nations Population Fund. The organization is led by a multi-religious presidency, including Co-Presidents like John Onaiyekan, the Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, and Katherine Marshall of the World Faiths Development Dialogue. Past presidents have included notable figures such as M. Aram, the late Karan Singh, and William F. Vendley, who served as Secretary-General for decades. The leadership reflects a commitment to gender and religious diversity.

Recognition and impact

The organization's impact is recognized through its role in formal peace processes, such as in Sierra Leone and Liberia, where its local councils were integral to reconciliation. It has received awards including the Niagara Foundation Dialogue Award and has been featured in major forums like the Parliament of the World's Religions and the World Economic Forum. Its advocacy contributed to the inclusion of religious actors in international frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ongoing work of its networks in promoting social cohesion and countering hate speech demonstrates its sustained relevance in global affairs.

Category:Interfaith organizations Category:Peace organizations Category:Organizations established in 1970