10 Feb, 2015
World Interfaith Week Marked Under Theme “Multi-religious Partnership for Sustainable Development”
United Nations, 6 February 2015 (UN News Centre) – At a special event today which marked World Interfaith Week, top United Nations officials celebrated the importance of dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people.
 A wide view of the Trusteeship Council Chamber during a special event on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week. UN Photo/Evan Schneider |
The President of the General Assembly told the event, titled “World Interfaith Harmony: Multi-religious Partnership for Sustainable Development,” that the message of peace and goodwill was as important as ever in light of the recent disturbing rise of intolerance and prejudice in many of our communities.
“As intolerance, bigotry and hatred continue to fuel conflicts, violence and extremism in many corners of the world, we need to strengthen our efforts to foster respect and mutual understanding between cultures, religions and ethnic groups,” said Sam Kutesa. “Every time we chose dialogue and reconciliation over confrontation, we take a step forward on our collective path to lasting peace.”
He referred to the Assembly’s recent meeting on the rise of anti-Semitic violence and said he would convene a high-level thematic debate in April on promoting tolerance and reconciliation.
He also looked ahead to the world’s “historic journey” towards formulation of an inclusive and transformative future development agenda, saying 2015 is a year of hope and opportunity, representing an unprecedented chance to set the world on a path toward sustainable development and to eradicate poverty and hunger.
“The task ahead of us is momentous and will require profound shifts in how we think and act,” he said. “Interfaith collaboration can not only help promote common values shared by all humankind; it can also serve as an important foundational element for the advancement of our post-2015 development objectives.”
Speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General, the UN’s new communications chief, Christina Gallach, also pointed to the principles of tolerance and respect for the others that are deeply rooted in the world’s major religions.
At the same time, she called for solidarity in the face of those who spread misunderstanding and mistrust.
“Too many communities around the world face violence and discrimination based on their religious identity,” she said. “Cowards are attacking civilians. Political figures and others are using emotive appeals to manipulate people based on their religious affiliations. Those who go down the path of violence and hatred may invoke the name of religion – but they only distort those faiths and bring shame upon themselves.”
She noted the immense influence of religious leaders and communities and highlighted the power they have to build cooperation, learning, healing and sustainable development.
“They can set an example of dialogue, and unite people based on precepts common to all creeds,” she said. “And they can point the way toward addressing underlying causes of disharmony, including poverty, discrimination, resource scarcity and poor governance.”
World Interfaith Harmony Week celebrates the principles of tolerance and respect for the other that are deeply rooted in the world’s major religions. The observance is also a summons to solidarity in the face of those who spread misunderstanding and mistrust.
Too many communities around the world face violence and discrimination based on their religious identity. Cowards are attacking civilians. Political figures and others are using emotive appeals to manipulate people based on their religious affiliations. Those who go down the path of violence and hatred may invoke the name of religion – but they only distort those faiths and bring shame upon themselves.
Religious leaders and communities have immense influence. They can be powerful forces for cooperation, learning, healing and – as you highlight today – sustainable development. They can set an example of dialogue, and unite people based on precepts common to all creeds. And they can point the way toward addressing underlying causes of disharmony, including poverty, discrimination, resource scarcity and poor governance.
As the United Nations works to frame a new development agenda for the next generation.
I thank you for joining forces to build a sustainable future based on our shared principles of tolerance and respect for diversity.
Opening of Special Event on the Occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week
Remarks by the president of the UN General Assembly
Excellencies, Ms. Cristina Gallach, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. William Vendley, President of the RNGO Committee at the UN, Distinguished Delegates,
It is a pleasure to address this special event on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week. I wish to thank the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations (RNGO) for their efforts in organizing today’s event.
Two weeks ago, the Assembly held a meeting to address concerns of a rise in anti-Semitic violence worldwide, during which we heard unequivocal condemnation of all forms of intolerance and prejudice. Member States also called for increased dialogue and understanding among different cultures and religions.
In an effort to promote meaningful exchanges on this important topic, I will convene a high-level thematic debate in April on promoting tolerance and reconciliation. The meeting will be an opportunity to explore how we can enhance dialogue and understanding and counter the threat of extremism and radicalization.
Excellencies,
2015 is a year of hope and opportunity. It represents an unprecedented occasion to set our world on a path toward sustainable development and to eradicate poverty and hunger.
As we embark on the historic journey toward the formulation of an inclusive and transformative future development agenda, we must foster the active participation of all stakeholders.
The task ahead of us is momentous and will require profound shifts in how we think and act. To succeed in this ambitious endeavour, we will need to harness resources, knowledge and experiences from all corners of societies.
Religious organisations have long been on the front lines of the fight against poverty, caring for the most vulnerable and fragile amongst us. Such first-hand experience is invaluable and can bring an important contribution to the global partnership we seek to build.
Interfaith collaboration can not only help promote common values shared by all humankind; it can also serve as an important foundational element for the advancement of our post-2015 development objectives.
It is this context, that I convened today’s special event, in cooperation with the Committee of Religious NGOs, to bring added focus to the important role religious and inter-religious organizations can play in sustainable development.
Today, Member States and civil society organizations, including religious communities, will engage in valuable, interactive discussions that can inform their future contributions to the post-2015 development agenda.
I look forward to today’s discussion and the open exchange of concrete actions, best practices and lessons learned as together, we seek to set our world on a course toward a prosperous future.
Thank you for your attention.
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