Welcome Remarks
Forum organizers briefly outline objectives and key elements of programs, address priority logistic issues.
W. Cole Durham, Jr. – President, G20 Interfaith Forum, United States
Bani Dugal – Principal Representative of the Baháʼí International Community to the UN
Dana Homaid – President, Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities
Introducing the Forum
This session presents substantive priorities for the program, building on IF20’s focus since 2014, outcomes of the December 2022 Abu Dhabi Forum, and links to other G20 Engagement Group priorities. Brief highlights of IF20 priorities and work to advance them.
Panelists
Azza Karam – Secretary General, Religions for Peace
(video presentation)
Archbishop Felix Machado – Archbishop of Vasai; Secretary General, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India
Rabbi David Saperstein – Former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom
Nilakshi Rajkhowa – Director, Office of Public Affairs, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is in India
Ravinder Singh Ahuja – President, Sikh Forum
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati – Secretary General, Global Interfaith Wash Alliance
Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed – Founder and President of the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India
The G20 Interfaith Journey
A review of the history of IF20 and its influences from Australia 2014 to India 2023.
Dr. Katherine Marshal – Vice President, G20 Interfaith Forum
This plenary session highlights the prophetic voice and practical approaches of leaders from major religious communities. It focuses on the strengths of interreligious and religious action in the framework of global agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals. It will link the G20 focus on crisis management and especially debt and fiscal challenges to the broader agendas, including SDGs and the priority goal of leaving no one behind. The focus is forward-looking and highlights contemporary global and local leadership roles within and among religious and interreligious communities, including creative partnerships, transformations linked to technology and globalization.
Moderator
Prof. Cole Durham – President, G20 Interfaith Forum Association
Panelists
Prof. Mohammad Amin Abdullah – Member of Steering Committee, National Agency for Pancasila Ideology Development (BPIP)
Dr. Vinu Aram – Director, Shanti Ashram
Dr. Mustafa Al – Secretary General, Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and Director, Arigatou International-Nairobi
Adam Phillips – Executive Director, Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnerships Hub, USAID
This session will focus on issues for technology, ethical and practical, especially in relation to religious communities. It will highlight the impact of changes propelled by the COVID-19 crisis as well as work, notably during a Vatican conference, on challenges posed by the rapid advance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It will highlight specific work undertaken on AI issues and link this work to the G20 agendas.
Moderator
Rachel Miner – Founder and CEO of Bellwether International
Panelists
Prof. Marco Ventura – Professor of Law and Religion, University of Siena
Prof. Shiv Visvanathan – Professor at Jindal Global Law School, Sonipat, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Knowledge Systems, O.P. Jindal Global University
This session will highlight the core mission of religious and interreligious communities to advocate for and to model a “preferential option for the poor”, and to focus sharply on vulnerable communities. This includes those affected by humanitarian crises (refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), children, and other vulnerable communities. The panelists will highlight specific examples and relate them to global humanitarian and social protection agendas.
Moderator
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati – Secretary General, Global Interfaith Wash AllianceIndian leaders
Panelists
Dr. Amitab Kundu – Professor Emeritus at L. J. University
Şafak Pavey – Senior Adviser, UNHCR Switzerland
Oscar Mundia – Chief of Mission, UNHCR in India
Prof. Dr. Tahir Mahmood – Amity University
Opor Srisuwant – Project Coordinator, Women Empowerment and Child Protection, International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Equality between women and men is a fundamental principle of human rights and a priority focus of work on international development and humanitarian action. Many religious communities support this principle in action. This session will link the IF20 Forum to the G20 agendas, highlighting both progress and innovative solutions and areas of debate and dialogue on how to translate principles into action.
Moderator
Rabbi Diana Gerson – Associate Executive VP, New York Board of Rabbis
Panelists
Donna Bollinger – UN Representative, United Church of Christ
Huma Masood – National Programme Officer – Educaton and Gender, UNESCO
Dr. Suraiya Tabassum – Assistant Professor, Sarojini Naiudu Centre for Women’s Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia
Dr. Samia Huq – Dean of School of General Education and Professor of Anthropology, BRAC University
Prof. Inayah Rohmaniyah – Dean of Faculty of Ushuluddin and Islamic Thought, State Islamic University Sunan Kaijaga Yogyakarta
Dr. Faizan Mustafa – Professor, Aligarh Muslim University, Former Vice-Chancellor of Nalsar University of Law
Child vulnerability has different causes, including age, disability, mental health issues, immigrant background, and out-of-home care. A particular concern is children who have lost caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rising child abuse and forced marriage are other significant issues. Children around the world are vulnerable to maltreatment and are often well hidden by their persecutors. Faith communities can helpidentify vulnerable children within communities and ensure their protection.
Moderator
Dana Humaid – President, Interfaith Alliance
Panelists
Rabbi Diane Gerson – Associate Executive VP, New York Board of Rabbis, United States
Opor Srisuwan – Project Coordinator -Women Empowerment and Child Protection, International Network of Engaged Buddhists
Ms. Razia Ismail – Co-Founder & Convenor, Indian Alliance for Child Rights (IACR)
Dr. Mustafa Ali – Secretary General, Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) and Director, Arigatou International-Nairobi
Human trafficking is a global issue with long and deep roots. Governments and agencies have worked hard to fight this and have taken steps to identify traffickers and transnational criminals. Forced labour, one of the most prominent issues in human trafficking, has become an increasingly important issue in recent decades where activists across the globe are calling for governments to step up and stop forced labour.
Moderator
Kevin Hyland – OBE, Former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, United Kingdom
Panelists
Mervyn D’mello – Head of Partnerships for International Justice Mission South Asia, India
Sr. Abby Avelino – MM, International Coordinator, Talitha Kum
Prof. Dr. Siti Ruhanimi Dzuhayatin – Senior Advisor, Executive office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia
Fr. Don Bosco Darsi – Director, Talitha Cumi Unnati