Religions for Peace

{{Short description|International religious organization}}

{{Multiple issues|

{{more citations needed|date=January 2018}}

{{Primary sources|date=June 2025}}

{{Promotional|date=June 2025}}

}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = Religions for Peace

| image = Logo of Religions for Peace.svg

| image_border =

| size = 200px

| caption =

| map =

| msize =

| mcaption =

| abbreviation =

| motto =

| formation =

| extinction =

| type = Non-governmental organization (NGO)

| status =

| purpose =

| headquarters = 777 United Nations Plaza, 9th Floor New York, NY 10017

| location =

| region_served =

| membership = Over 97 countries

| language =

| leader_title =

| leader_name =

| main_organ =

| parent_organization =

| affiliations =

| num_staff =

| num_volunteers =

| budget =

| website = [https://www.rfp.org www.rfp.org]

| remarks =

}}

Religions for Peace is an international coalition of representatives from the world's religions dedicated to promoting world peace. It was founded in 1970.

The International Secretariat's headquarters is in New York City, with regional conferences in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Religions for Peace enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), with UNESCO and with UNICEF. From August 2019 until June 2023, Azza Karam was the Secretary General, proceeding William F. Vendley.{{Cite web|url=https://rfp.org/connect/international-secretariat/|title=International Secretariat|last=Peace|first=Religions for|website=Religions for Peace International|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-08}} In February 2024, Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema was appointed by the World Council as Secretary General.

class="wikitable"

|+ World Assemblies

1970

| Kyoto, Japan

1974

| Leuven, Belgium

1979

| Princeton, New Jersey, United States

1984

| Nairobi, Kenya

1989

| Melbourne, Australia

1994

| Riva del Garda, Italy

1999

| Amman, Jordan

2006

| Kyoto, Japan{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/media/media_35485.html|title=Eighth World Assembly of Religions for Peace endorses declaration on violence against children}}

2013

| Vienna, Austria

2019

| Lindau, Germany[https://rfp.org/home-3/10th-world-assembly/ 10th World Assembly]

The 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize was awarded to President Macky Sall of Senegal and Bishop Munib Younan of Religions for Peace.{{cite web|website=allAfrica|title=Senegal President Macky Sall and Former President of the Lutheran World Federation Bishop Munib A. Younan Selected As the 2020 Sunhak Peace Prize Laureates|date=5 February 2020|access-date=8 February 2020 |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202002050218.html}}

In 2020 Religions For Peace was nominated for the "Freedom of Worship" Four Freedoms Award.{{Cite web|title=Religions for Peace International - Laureate Freedom of Worship Award 2020 - Laureates since 1982 - Four Freedoms Awards|url=https://www.fourfreedoms.nl/en/laureaten/year:2020/award:freedom-of-worship-award/laureates:religions-for-peace-international.htm|access-date=2020-08-27|website=www.fourfreedoms.nl|language=EN}}{{Primary source inline|date=August 2020}}

Operations and Global Networks

Religions for Peace operates with the support of Interreligious Councils (IRCs) established in six global regions. The leaders of these IRCs are representatives of religious communities who mobilize people of all faith traditions to collaborate on shared goals.

= Global Women of Faith Network =

The Global Women of Faith Network is a women's collective led by the International Women’s Coordinating Committee, which is composed of 11 women from various faith traditions. In 2023, Religions for Peace launched the Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award to recognize the contributions of women of faith and women-led initiatives in peacebuilding and interfaith cooperation.{{cite web | url=https://rfpasia.org/religions-for-peace-announces-women-of-excellence-in-multi-religious-action-award/ | title=Religions for Peace Announces Women of Excellence in Multi-Religious Action Award – Religions for Peace Asia }}

= Multireligious Humanitarian Fund =

The Multireligious Humanitarian Fund supports 20 multi-faith projects across 20 different countries. Originally launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fund continues to support grassroots humanitarian efforts. Among its supported initiatives are:

  • Emergency humanitarian assistance for refugees and internally displaced peoples in Cameroon, led by the Cameroonian Association for Interreligious Dialogue (ACADIR)
  • Crisis response for displaced people in Ukraine, implemented by Malteser International – Order of Malta Worldwide Relief{{cite web | url=https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-the-enduring-value-of-multireligious-action-98716 | title=Opinion: The enduring value of multireligious action | date=7 December 2020 }}

= Events =

The 1st Assembly on Women, Faith, and Diplomacy was held from 10–13 November 2020. The event brought together leaders from government, civil society, and multilateral institutions. Plenaries focused on topics such as leadership, gender equality, values-inspired education, and the role of women in diplomacy.{{cite web | url=https://parliamentofreligions.org/reports/1st-assembly-on-women-faith-and-diplomacy/ | title=1st Assembly on Women, Faith, and Diplomacy - Parliament of the World's Religions }}

References

{{Reflist}}