Event Newsroom
By Maria Lucia Uribe, Executive Director of Ethics Education for Children at Arigatou International
“Last month, I finished a two-day meeting of the G20 Interfaith Forum in New Delhi with the participation of around 100 people coming from different parts of the world. The purpose of the meeting was to reflect on the role of faith in addressing the current crises, identify critical areas where religious actors can contribute to the work of key policy makers and advance strategic issues and agendas, and identify mechanisms that can support religious actors to address global issues and push forward innovative solutions.
During the meeting, we discussed issues of education, children, social protection, cultural heritage, climate change, technology, peacebuilding, health, women, vulnerable communities and human trafficking, and looked at the importance of partnerships, networks and multi-partner approaches.”
“The Baha’i International Community (BIC) hosted this week the G20 Interfaith Forum, titled Partnerships in Action: towards “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” between 7-9 May at in the Baha’i House of Worship in New Delhi, India. Joining the BIC in hosting the event were the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and the G20 Interfaith Forum Association.
Before the IF20 Forum itself began, H.E. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Chief Coordinator of India’s G20 Presidency, addressed those gathered for the discussions and offered remarks.”
USAID Newsletter Highlight
Director Phillips (right) joins academics and faith leaders for a plenary panel at the G20 Interfaith Forum in New Delhi, India. Photo Credit: G20 Interfaith Forum
“Earlier this month, Director Adam Phillips attended and spoke at the G20 Interfaith Forum in New Delhi, India, hosted this year by the Baha’i International Community and the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities. The G20 Interfaith Forum brings together faith actors, academics, civil society, and government representatives for critical discussions on how to shape and implement the G20 agenda.
On the first day of the Forum, Director Adam Philips joined faith leaders and scholars for the plenary session,”Multipartner Approaches”, to discuss the vital role that religious and interfaith voices play in shaping and implementing the G20 agenda, as well as opportunities for deeper engagement. Director Phillips also highlighted the need for reforms in how the development sector works with local organizations and reiterated USAID’s commitment to partnering with and alongside faith-based organizations as a key part of these localization efforts.”
Katherine Marshall speaks with Ambassador Mussie Hailu between sessions of the G20 Interfaith Forum in New Delhi, India.
By Katherine Marshall, Vice President, G20 Interfaith Association
“These remarks were initially presented in the Opening Session of the G20 Interfaith Forum meetings held in New Delhi, India from May 8-9, 2023.
My mission here is to highlight the key milestones on the G20 Interfaith Forum’s journey that have brought us to New Delhi today. The central questions are why the interfaith voice is critical within the G20 process, how this Forum relates to the broader G20 process, and priority issues that are the Interfaith Forum’s focus. The G20 Interfaith Forum’s journey is approaching a ten-year mark; a few participants here have been part of work and events each year. So where have we come, where are we today, and how do we see the path ahead?”