May-July 2012

In Our Network

Global Multireligious Campaign Launched to Save Children’s Lives Washington, D.C., USA; 14 June

Religions for Peace (RfP) and the Center for Interfaith Action announced the launch of a global initiative to engage religious communities around the world in saving children’s lives through ten concrete and specific changes. In addition, the King Abdulaziz International Centre for Inter-religious and Inter-cultural Dialogue announced its commitment to the campaign.

These ten behaviours, Ten Promises to Our Children (See ten behaviors here), are within the control of families and communities and are endorsed by UNICEF and other development agencies. Over 262 religious leaders from different faith traditions and more

than 91 faith-based organizations from around the world, including many RfP affiliates, have already made their global, multi-religious commitment to adopt and promote these ten behaviors. They are vital to saving the lives of children and reducing the burden of disease.

Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of RfP, stated, “We grieve when we lose a child to an incurable disease, but we hold our heads down in shame when we lose a child to preventable disease or violence. We know that such loss should not happen, that it is even worse than ‘senseless,’ that it is morally wrong, grievously wrong.” Read more>>

Syria: Needed Actions for Peace, National Reconciliation and Unity

RfP International held numerous formal and informal consultations with leaders from religious and civil society organizations as well as governments and other stakeholders on next steps to the Religions for Peace Middle East and North Africa (RfP-MENA) Council meeting that took place in Cyprus last February.

Discussions are underway to convene a meeting of Syrian religious leaders in order to identify key steps needed to provide immediate strategic humanitarian assistance, preserve the country’s ethnic, religious and denomination diversity, to develop strategies to counter all forms of religious incitement, and work together to disseminate messages of moderation, tolerance and rejection of hatred. This

meeting also aims to establish a provisional Syrian religious leaders working group that can be adjusted over time and launched as the inter-religious council of Syria.

Archbishop Onaiyekan Address Pan-African Gathering Nairobi, Kenya; 16 May

His Grace John Onaiyekan, [a Co-President of RfP and the Co-Moderator of the African Council of Religious Leaders-RfP (ACRL-RfP)], Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria Addressed a Pan-African Gathering on “Conflict and Peace in Nigeria; Between Despair and Hope.”

He stated, “we who live in Nigeria know that the situation, though bad enough, is not as hopeless as it may appear from a distance, especially from the news that go out whenever there is a major incident.” His Grace went on to say that “Peace is not only the absence of war…. Even non-violent tensions can be as destructive and disruptive as violent conflict. …The art of

non-violent protest and resistance is very much what is required in our days. The target is always peace, harmony and unity.” The Archbishop firmly stated “I believe everyone will need to work out what lessons they can gain from the Nigerian situation. I can only make a few suggestions here.

Firstly, there must be vigilance by all. No country in Africa should relax and consider itself immune from the kind of terrorism that has invaded our country. There is therefore need for different countries to compare notes especially along regional lines.

Secondly, in Africa, we need to make every effort to discourage all forms of religious fanaticism no matter how holy they may appear to be.

Thirdly, this further highlights the importance of interfaith cooperation and dialogue, especially among religious leaders. The establishment of Interreligious Councils in many countries and regions of Africa should be continued unabated.” Read more>>

RfP Myanmar Responds to the Conflict in Rakhine State Yangon, Myanmar; 18 June

Senior Buddhist, Muslim, Christian and Hindu leaders in Myanmar, collaborating as members of the working committee of RfP Myanmar, issued a multi-religious statement on 18 June in Yangon, Myanmar, to address the escalating violence and the misuse of ethnic and religious differences fueling conflicts in Rakhine state.

The senior religious leaders represent Myanmar’s major religious organizations, namely the Ratana Metta Buddhist Organization; the Myanmar Council of Churches; the Catholic Church; the Hindu Community in Myanmar; and the Islamic Center of Myanmar. On 5 July, RfP Myanmar joined the US Embassy Charge d'Affaires, H.E.

Michael E. Thurston, in Yangon to announce the US government’s support of 3 million USD to assist people displaced by civil conflicts.

Read more>> Read more>>

Aung San Suu Kyi’s Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Oslo, Norway; 16 June

Bishop Gunnar Stålsett, [an Honorary President of RfP], and a Member of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee reported on Aung San Suu Kyi's historic Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.

He stated “Yesterday was one of the most remarkable days in the Nobel Peace Prize history. After 21 years, the Nobel Laureate ASSK was able to deliver her Nobel lecture. She spoke with such eloquence, warmth and simplicity about existential and political issues that it touched not only the audience with the King, Queen, Crown Prince, officials of Norway, and hundreds of her compatriots and friends in attendance, but I believe she reached the minds and hearts of the entire global audience.

She was honored with the longest standing applause in the 15 years I have been on the Nobel Peace Committee. It was as if we all wanted to compensate for the long years she has been deprived of freedom and justice. She stood before us with such dignity - soft spoken but with a clear message of peace and reconciliation at the top of her agenda. After the Lecture in the City Hall, she addressed some 10,000 enthusiastic well wishers at an outside event organized by the Nobel Peace Centre, Save the Children, Amnesty and other supportive bodies.

Before the meeting she had met more than 400 Burmese compatriots living in exile here in Norway. Again, her message was very well received, gracious in spirit and focused on this specific audience.

My overall impression is that she balanced well in this delicate mission, where no doubt the eyes of the rulers at home were watching her every step and word, between the sensitive political issues at home and the sometimes more simplistic positions held abroad.“

RfP at RIO+20 - United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 15-23 June

RfP International, in partnership with the Latin America and the Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders (LACCRL), co-sponsored two events during The People’s Summit, which took place alongside the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, RIO+20. The first event entitled “Inter-Religious Celebration: Mysticism/Spirituality of Commitment to Creation” was held on 18 June in partnership with the Pastoral Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of Brazil.

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Afro-Brazilian and Indigenous religious leaders attended this gathering and celebrated prayerful reflections on the holy texts of their spiritualities, accompanied by music, dance and silent meditation. Mr. Elias Szczytnicki, Secretary General and Regional Director of LACCRL-RfP, and Fr. Elias Wolff, Advisor to the Catholic Pastoral Episcopal Commission for Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue moderated, the discussion. Read more>>

In partnership with the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and Caritas Internationalis, RfP organized a side event on "Ethical and Religious Perspectives on the Future We Want". Ms. Soher el Sukaria and Mr. Gustavo Ali, Co-Coordinators of RfP-LAC Interfaith Youth Network, and members of the RfP International Youth Committee, made a joint presentation about interreligious youth perspectives on social and environmental justice.

In addition, Ms. Soher el Sukaria introduced the Spanish version of the RfP tool kit "Action and Advocacy for Climate Change: A Resource Guide for Religious Communities." You may download a copy here>>

Christian and Muslim Alliance Commits to Help Solving Tensions in Nigeria Nairobi, Kenya; 22-26 May

A high-level international delegation of Christian and Muslim leaders issued a joint statement at the end of their visit to Nigeria on 25 May, expressing hope for their “visit to demonstrate an international model of Muslims and Christians working together in inter-religious engagement aimed at fostering peace and harmony between people of different religions.” The delegation was coordinated by the World Council of Churches, led by its general secretary, Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, Chairman of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. RfP was pleased to have been involved in the delegation visit and was especially honored that very

distinguished RfP leaders were among the roster of delegates, including His Grace John Onaiyekan, [a Co-President of RfP], Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria; Mrs. Cecile Tshibanda, [Board Member of the ACRL- RfP], Catholic Women’s Network in Africa; H. E. Dr. Mustafa Ceric, [a Co-President of RfP], the Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina; H.E. Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, [a Co-President of RfP],the Grand Mufti of Uganda; H.E. Professor Din Syamsuddin, [a Co-President of RfP], President of Muhammadiyah; and Dr. Mustafa Ali, the Secretary General of the ACRL- RfP.

The delegates met with government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers and the families of victims of violence during their visits to Abuja, Kaduna and Jos. In their statement they expressed their hope in the transformation of the situation in Nigeria. Read more>>

Archbishop Onaiyekan is 2012 Pax Christi International Peace Laureate Brussels, Belgium; 13 July

The 2012 Pax Christi International Peace Laureate, His Grace John Onaiyekan, [a Co-President of RfP], Archbishop of Abuja, Nigeria will be honored in Brussels, Belgium later this year for his efforts in promoting understanding between people of different faiths through dialogue in Africa, and particularly in his country, Nigeria.

Archbishop Dr. John Onaiyekan’s consistent and tireless efforts in advocating for justice, peace, inter-religious dialogue and action earned him the 2012 Pax Christi International Peace Prize. His work in Nigeria and other African countries, as the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, the Co-chair for ACRL-RfP, and immediate former Co-Chair of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council immensely contributed to peace.

The annual peace prize for which Dr. Onaiyekan was unanimously nominated honors men and women who stand up for peace, justice and non-violence in different parts of the world.

Interfaith Youth Advance Cooperation in Response to Global Challenges Lillehammer, Norway; 19-24 June

The RfP European Interfaith Youth Network (EIYN) held a Summit in Lillehammer, Norway 19 -24 June. Thirty-five young leaders from Europe, representing the largest European faith-based organizations, as well as social activists and journalists from Egypt, Lebanon and Morocco, took part in the four-day long Seminar, focusing on three subjects: Dialogue for Solving Conflicts, the Arab Spring and the Global Financial Crisis.

The seminar was followed by a two-day annual summit of the RfP-EIYN, which established four working groups to focus on interreligious cooperation and education towards peace and coexistence, ecology, the economy and mass media. Young religious leaders committed themselves to increase cooperation in those four areas and to change the way the media portrays

relationships between religions as exclusively in conflict with each other. Read more>>

African Religious Leaders Commit to Action for Child Survival and Maternal Health Nairobi, Kenya; 16-17 May

Over 100 senior religious leaders from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, and other religious communities convened in Nairobi, Kenya, 16-17 May 2012, to launch a child survival and maternal health pan-African initiative.

The Vice President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka, opened the gathering, which was organized by the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya-RfP, in partnership with UNICEF, the Government of Kenya, the ACRL-RfP and RfP International, and was held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre - the historic venue of the RfP 4th World Assembly.

The religious leaders, secretaries general, coordinators and executive directors from African affiliated inter-religious councils present at the conference committed to build stronger partnerships to support safe motherhood and child survival and to mobilize their congregations to take action for the health and wellbeing of the children and their mothers. Read more>>

RfP and UNICEF Unite Against Violence towards Children Mindanao, Philippines; 29 May-2 June

In Central Mindanao, RfP and UNICEF Philippines are working to unite the religious and indigenous leaders under one common goal; protecting children. Under this partnership, RfP, its inter-religious affiliates including; religious leaders, women of faith and interfaith youth networks, in collaboration with UNICEF country offices, work to develop effective local advocacy, communication, and community mobilization strategies aimed at protecting children through religious and traditional communities. After a year marked by commitment and a spirit of cooperation, Christian, Catholic, Muslim and Indigenous communities have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to

join forces in supporting children. Together they will establish the RfP Philippines Interfaith Council of Mindanao, whose key and immediate focus will be Child Protection. At the community level, the Council will support the development of key advocacy messages on child protection founded in scriptures and teachings from their own faiths and traditions.

The Council will engage directly with local governments as well as armed groups to help mitigate the effects of the current conflict on children. Most importantly the Council will bring communities together to promote peace and reconciliation in Central Mindanao and return it to ‘a land of promise’.

Catholic-Jewish Dialogue Jerusalem; 22-25 May

H.E. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity paid his second official visit to Israel for meetings with officials, including Rabbi David Rosen [a Co-President of RfP], International Director of Interreligious Affairs, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) . The Cardinal was accompanied by Secretary for Catholic-Jewish Relations, Father Norbert Hofmann.

In addition to Rabbi Rosen’s private audience with the Cardinal and Fr. Hofmann, he participated in a public event at the Teddy Kollek Hall of the Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, during which time the Cardinal gave a public lecture on “Jewish- Catholic Dialogue.” This event was sponsored by the Interreligious Council of Israel-RfP, the Jerusalem Institute of Israel Studies, the AJC, and the Israel Jewish Council for Inter-religious Relations - all organizations that have been involved in Jewish-Christian Dialogue for many years. Read more>>

The Arms Trade Treaty: Securing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

RfP, in partnership with Amnesty International, the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and the International Action Network on Small Arms Women’s Network, have called for the inclusion of a criterion on gender-based violence in the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), as outlined in the Joint Policy Paper on Gender and the ATT.

This Policy Paper comes out at a historic time when Member States of the United Nations gathered from July 2-27 to negotiate an ATT to establish common international standards for the import, export and transfer of conventional arms. Read more>>

Mr. Muljibhai Pindolia Awarded the Seventh Bharatvanshi Gaurav Award New Delhi, India; 26 June

Mr. Muljibhai Pindolia, [a Co-President and International Trustee of RfP], was awarded the International Bharatvanshi Gaurav Award, an annual prize that recognizes individuals or institutions for their outstanding work in fostering a better understanding abroad of India, supporting India’s causes, concerns and interests internationally, and making a significant contribution in service to the Indian Diaspora.

Mr. Pindolia, who also serves as the President of the Hindu Council of Africa, is a prominent businessman in Kenya and a trustee of several organizations, including the Hindu Council of Kenya and Kenya Society for the Mentally Handicapped. He was selected out of a group of twelve nominees from different parts of the world for the prestigious award. Read more>>

Asian Conference of RfP (ACRP) Plans for Next RfP World Assembly South Korea; 11-14 June

Representatives of RfP affiliated national inter-religious bodies from 16 Asian countries met to share their best practices and develop an action plan leading up to the next World Assembly of RfP in 2013, and the ACRP General Assembly in 2014.

Dr. Sunggon Kim, Secretary General of ACRP, and a member of the Korean National Assembly, hosted the delegates in his home province of Yeousu. Asian delegates also participated in the opening session of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, the world’s largest international coalition of Buddhist communities. Dr. Din Syamsuddin, [Moderator of the ACRP and a Co-President of RfP], President of Muhammadiyah, presided over the meeting.

Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Deputy Secretary General of RfP International, presented the RfP 9th World Assembly theme and discussed the movement-wide preparatory process, emphasizing the importance of Asia’s contribution to the action-oriented preparations for the next World Assembly.

RfP China Affiliate Representatives Visit RfP European Affiliates to Discuss Bi-Lateral Relations Belgium, France and Russia; 22 May–2 July

A China Committee on Religion and Peace (CCRP) delegation headed by Mr. Deng Zongliang, Advisor to CCRP; Bishop Fang Xingyao, President of Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and Vice President of Bishops' Conference of Catholic Church in China; Ven. Zhan Ru, Vice President of China Buddhist Association and Mr. Wei Yuanqi, Deputy Secretary General of CCRP and Director General of CCRP Office, visited Europe from 22 May – 2 June to meet with representatives of RfP Europe, RfP France, RfP Belgium and the Interreligious Council of Russia, to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchange ideas to foster partnerships and collaboration.

The CCRP delegation also met with representatives of the Department of External Church Relations of Moscow Patriarchate, chaired by H.E. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, [a Co-President of RfP].

Taking Action for Health, Dignity and Justice Washington, D.C., USA: 19-21 July

RfP in partnership with the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance organized a workshop on “Transforming Religious Leadership in the Response to HIV” on 20 July, 2012 in Washington DC.

While it is increasingly recognized that faith communities are a key provider of treatment, care and support services to people living with HIV, it is also urgent that more religious leaders act boldly to transform the current response to HIV, giving momentum to new, effective approaches to treatment, care and prevention for all and speaking out against stigma in communities.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to hear about and share their own experiences of working as religious leaders. It will include input from RfP Interreligious Councils of Uganda and Kenya on interfaith collaboration in the response to pediatric AIDS. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance will also present its experiences of developing – in partnership with the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+) and United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a framework for dialogue between religious leaders and people living with HIV at the national level.

This workshop is being organized prior to the XIX International AIDS Conference on 20-21 July 2012 at Howard University in Washington, DC, which will bring together some 500 religious and community leaders, faith-based representatives, young people and people living with HIV under the common theme of health, dignity and justice.

On 24 July, RfP representatives also participated at the White House Forum for Faith Leaders in conjunction with the World AIDS Conference 2012, organized by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Interreligious Council of Kenya Issue Statement on Church Attacks in Garissa Nairobi, Kenya; 4 July

Following the twin attacks on churches in the northern Kenyan town of Garissa, the Interreligious Council of Kenya, an affiliate of RfP, stated:

“We the religious leaders from all faith communities in Kenya speaking under the umbrella of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) join other Kenyans in condemning most strongly the heinous and cowardly grenade and gun attacks on worshippers at the AIC and Our Lady of Consolata Churches during Sunday services on 1st July, 2012 in Garissa.

We offer our condolences to all those who lost family and friends and share the pain with those in hospital. And we want to assure the Christians in Garissa that we are with them at this time of confusion, fear and uncertainty. We shall stand with you. We believe the forces of evil, shall be defeated. Read more>>

Liberia: Top Clergyman Call for More Child Support Monrovia, Liberia; 14 June

The Interreligious Council of Liberia (IRCL-RfP), in collaboration with UNICEF, hosted over fifty religious leaders during a three day consultation on Child Protection held in Monrovia on June 12-14. The leaders comprised a broad spectrum of national religious communities and represented more than fifty faith-based institutions including mosques, churches, communities and women and youth interfaith networks.

The IRCL-RfP aims to strengthen networking among faith-based institutions as a mechanism to address issues of children’s dignity and rights concerns in Liberia. The three day convening helped sensitize the religious community on their potent role, build relevance, and strengthen the protective environment for children in Liberia.

Critical topics covered during the consultation were focused on the role of religious leaders in: preventing the separation of children from families, supporting government child protection mechanisms, developing practical tools-messages from scriptures that support child rights and protection, and preventing hazardous child labor. Administrative skills workshops within the three days included finance, monitoring and reporting, and a code of conduct for engaging in child protection activities.

In the News

Statement by Prince Hassan of Jordan and Bosnian Grand Mufti on the Bosnia and Herzegovina Tragedy Amman, Jordan; June 25

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, [RfP President of Honor] and H.E. Dr. Mustafa Ceric, [a Co-President of RfP], Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina, issued a joint statement on the twentieth anniversary of the Bosnia - Herzegovina tragedy.

“In memory of the twentieth anniversary of the Bosnia and Herzegovina tragedy and the seventeenth anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide of 1995, which engraved deep wounds in the collective human conscience in consequence of the huge massacre, destruction, and

displacement against the Muslim civilians in Balkan by the Serbian Army; and at times where other forms of human tragedies took place in other parts of our world during the last decades and left innocent victims whose only guilt is that they belong to different religious sects from those who committed such hideous crimes against them for pure political purposes away from religion, yet justified by religion; we jointly and clearly confirm that: Our world, with all its religions, sects, and political and social inclinations, must not give up its joint human responsibility in maintaining the right of each and every human being to security, dignity, stability, and equality, regardless of his/ her residence, race, culture, religious sect, ideological belief, or political affiliation.” Read more>>

Uganda: Religions United Against HIV in Katosi Kampala, Uganda; 7 June

Through faith-based organizations, the Interreligious Council of Uganda (IRCU–RfP), gives financial assistance ranging from Shs 50m to Shs 3bn, to projects that support the lives and livelihoods of people affected by HIV/AIDS. The money is channeled through big hospitals like Mengo hospital and community based health units like Kyetume Health Center III to avail HIV/AIDS-related services.

However, in their latest five-year plan, IRCU-RfP have included a component that provides start-up money for individual orphans and other people rendered vulnerable by HIV. Jackie Katana Beinomugisha, programme manager for HIV/AIDS and public health at IRCU-RfP, says the start-up grants have so far made a significant impact. Read more>>

Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree Conferred upon Rev. Usman Fornah 5 May

Kingswood University in Canada held its 67th Commencement, celebrating a class of outstanding students who earned one of six degrees offered by the University.

At the graduation service, Kingswood honoured global servant leadership by awarding the Doctor of Divinity degree to Rev. Usman Fornah, Secretary General of the Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone – RfP, and the National Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone. Rev. Usman wrote the following of this memorable event:

"My dear Friends,

The greatest surprise I have ever received in my life was yesterday when I saw my name on the programme of commencement for the 2012 Graduation Class of Kingswood University in Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada for the conferment of a Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree on me on Saturday 5th May 2012. I was invited as Guest Speaker to address the graduation students of 2012. To my greatest dismay, today, I received this honor of grace by courtesy of the Board of Trustees of the Kingswood University in honor of my leadership role for the church in Sierra Leone, my ecumenical involvement and for allowing God to use me in the way He is doing. What a great honor of recognition. I owe it to all of you especially my loving wife (Francess). To God be the glory.

Please join me in this celebration and pray that I will continue to be the real instrument that God would want to use for His Glory." Read more>>

RfP Welcomes New Staff

Ms. Barbara Ammirati is the new RfP Conflict & Child Protection Program Manager. Ms. Ammirati has years of experience in strategic planning, development, implementation and management. In addition, for six years she has worked in the area of international aid, focusing on field operations, including emergency, conflict and post-conflict situations. Most recently, while with UNICEF, she worked with religious leaders to advance policy issues and strategy development on child protection in Afghanistan. bammirati@religionsforpeace.org

Ms. Elida Jbeili is the new RfP Youth and World Assembly Program Associate. Ms. Jbeili, a Maronite Christian from Lebanon, who was raised in Sweden, holds a B.A. in International Relations from The City College of New York and a degree in Theatre performance. Before joining RfP, she worked extensively with youth as a teacher, mentor and coordinator, organizing conferences on U.S. and Muslim relations. Her work has ranged from helping inner city children in New York City to assisting Berber youths in Rabat by using theatre activism to raise awareness about human rights issues. Ms. Jbeili is passionate about inter-faith youth dialogue and believes inter-faith cooperation and cross-cultural understanding are paramount for advancing a more harmonious global society. ejbeili@religionsforpeace.org

Ms. Ingrid Johanson is the coordinator of various projects and activities in the Office of the Secretary General. An Australian national, she recently graduated from RMIT University with a high distinction BA degree in International Studies. Her background includes volunteering at a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in India for six months, starting a charity for a local Hindu orphan girls school, tutoring asylum seekers from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Burma and Sri Lanka at Australia’s high-security Refugee Detention Centre, living and working with Aboriginal communities in Australia’s remote Kimberley region and, most recently, completing her final university semester studying Spanish at the Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile. ijohanson@religionsforpeace.org

Rev. Solomon Muin is a native of Liberia, and is currently working in the RfP Youth Program and the office of the RfP Deputy Secretary General. He served as Youth Coordinator of the Interreligious Council of Liberia – RfP from 2004-2008, and member of the RfP African Religious Youth Network. He is a candidate for Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation at the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont, USA. smuin@religionsforpeace.org

Ms. Laura Margaret Reeves joins RfP as part of the Programmes Department. Ms. Reeves, a national of Great Britain, graduated this summer from the University of Nottingham and holds a BA in Philosophy and Theology. As an exchange student at the University of Melbourne, Australia, Ms. Reeves studied Anthropology and Ethical Traditions in Islam. Her experience includes working in non-profit organizations focusing on social justice and conflict. ireeves@religionsforpeace.org

Ms. Beza Yilma-Kassaye is the new RfP Digital Communications Manager. She coordinates all marketing communications programs to help advance the mission of RfP. Originally from Ethiopia, Ms. Yilma-Kassaye previously resided in Germany prior to moving to New York. Ms. Yilma-Kassaye holds a BA in Film Studies and is currently completing her master’s degree in International Communications with a thesis on Communication Law & the International Telecommunication Union. byilma-kassaye@religionsforpeace.org

KEEP US POSTED | YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS Send us your news and work for possible inclusion in future Newsletters. Questions, comments, or news? Kindly contact: Ms. Beza Yilma-Kassaye Digital Communications Manager Religions for Peace–International 777 United Nations Plaza, 9th Floor New York NY 10017 +1. 212.687.2163 byilma-kassaye@religionsforpeace.org

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE—the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth. The global Religions for Peace network comprises a World Council of senior religious leaders from all regions of the world; six regional inter-religious bodies and more than eighty national ones; and the Global

Women of Faith Network and Global Interfaith Youth Network.

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