Religions for Peace International

Religions for Peace wishes all a Happy New Year! May the new year bring you joy, love, and moments of reflection. Let us join hands and hearts in the pursuit of a world where peace prevails for all people and the planet.

Religions for Peace would like to wish a Happy Kwanzaa to all those who celebrate! Celebrated every year from 26 December through 1 January, Kwanzaa is an annual holiday affirming African family and social values. This week of festivities honours African American culture and heritage, and is celebrated by friends and family gathering each day to give thanks, exchange gifts, and share feasts. May this be a time of peace and blessings for all.

Religions for Peace would like to wish all a Merry Christmas filled with peace and love. May the spirit of the season warm your heart and fill your life with joy.

We are grateful for the trust you have placed in us throughout the year, and we would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your support. We hope that the holiday spirit fills your hearts with warmth and gratitude, and that the coming year brings you health, prosperity, and peace in all your endeavors.

🍃 UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Religions for Peace International Faith-based leaders release to Global : “seeking asylum is a basic human right” 🕊️

➡️ In a message to the Global Refugee Forum released 🗓️ 12 December, faith-based leaders underscored their commitment to offering sanctuary for refugees as well defending their human rights.

💁🏾‍♀️ Read the full WCC article: https://www.oikoumene.org/news/faith-based-leaders-release-statement-to-global-refugee-forum-seeking-asylum-is-a-basic-human-right

Join Religions for Peace USA on 21 December for "Peace Based on Justice in the Holy Land," featuring Bishop Munib Younan, Co-President of Religions for Peace.

Learn more and register 🔗 https://bit.ly/3v6Rc3J

Day 16 of : Dr. Karen Hernandez, Programme Officer of Partnerships and Interreligious Education at Religions for Peace, emphasised that we will not be able to stop the violence that happens to women all over the world until we address the violence that occurs in our homes and communities, during the fireside chat "Interfaith Responses to Gender-Based Violence," organised by the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee.

To watch the recorded version of the webinar, go to 🔗 https://bit.ly/EndGBVFiresideChat.

Today, 10 December, is – also known as the day the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and today marks the 75th anniversary. Religions for Peace reaffirms its commitment to achieving equality and addressing the root causes of discrimination, racism, and inequality that affect people all over the world for a more peaceful, just, and inclusive society.

📢 The deadline to apply for our Spring 2024 Internship Programme is 11 December 2023!

Positions available for Spring 2024 are: Communications Intern, Development Intern, and Programmes Intern.

Each internship provides the opportunity to work with the International Secretariat team to assist with international meetings and convenings, develop and disseminate programme outputs and outcomes, gain knowledge on interfaith peacebuilding, and more!

If you or someone you know is interested, go to 💻 www.rfp.org/careers to learn how to apply. This internship is only open to current students.

Day 15 of : Ms. Kristine Leonardo, Programme Associate for the Multi-Religious Humanitarian Fund, Gender, and Environment at Religions for Peace, emphasised that gender-based violence is a violation of the principles shared by the world's religions during the fireside chat "Interfaith Responses to Gender-Based Violence," organised by the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee.

To watch the recorded version of the webinar, go to 🔗 https://bit.ly/EndGBVFiresideChat.

Day 14 of : Dr. Piero Liebman, Member of the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee, emphasised that it is necessary for women to have a voice within youth and faith communities during the fireside chat "Interfaith Responses to Gender-Based Violence," organised by the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee.

To watch the recorded version of the webinar, go to 🔗 https://bit.ly/EndGBVFiresideChat.

Religions for Peace wishes a Hanukkah Sameach, to all!

In honour of the lighting of the menorah each night, we share our prayers for a season filled with peace, unity, and the enduring light of hope. May we each light up our own lives, and the lives of others, with acts of gratitude, kindness and a renewed sense of community.

Please join us to stand as a light in the darkness, knowing that even a little light can shine bright for us all.

: In line with our commitment to advancing gender equality, Religions for Peace reaffirms its commitment to the movement and seeks to work towards an altered reality in the future.

This Thursday, Religions for Peace is proud to highlight Ms. Emina Frljak, Deputy Coordinator of the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee. Emina is committed to the Thursdays in Black movement and stands in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence!

Day 13 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Ms. Ligia Matamoros, Member of the of Religions for Peace International Youth Committee who shares how her faith has taught her the that men and women are equal and no one should remain indifferent to the suffering of others.

📢 Religions for Peace is pleased to extend the deadline for applications for our Spring 2024 Internship Programme!

Positions available for Spring 2024 are: Communications Intern, Development Intern, Programmes Intern, and Secretary General's Office Intern.

Each internship provides the opportunity to work with the International Secretariat team to assist with international meetings and convenings, develop and disseminate programme outputs and outcomes, gain knowledge on interfaith peacebuilding, and more!

If you or someone you know is interested, go to 💻 www.rfp.org/careers to learn how to apply. All internships are available to current students only. Applications will be accepted until 11 December 2023.

Day 12 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Ms. Nageeba Hassan Tegulwa, Co-Chair of the African Women of Faith Network-Religions for Peace and Board Member of the African Council of Religious Leaders-Religions for Peace. Ms. Tegulwa shares the importance of investing in the prevention of violence against women and strengthening family units.

Day 11 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Mr. Shameer Rishad, Youth Chairperson of Religions for Peace-India. Mr. Rishad shares with us a Hadith he grew up with from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which discusses the elevated status of women in Islam.

📢 Religions for Peace is pleased to extend the deadline for applications for our Spring 2024 Internship Programme! Headquartered in New York City and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through more than 90 Interreligious Councils in 6 regions, networks of religious youth and women of faith, and a World Council of religious leaders comprising of the world’s largest and most representative coalition of religious communities.

Positions available for Spring 2024 are: Communications Intern, Development Intern, and Programmes Intern.

Each internship provides the opportunity to work with the International Secretariat team to assist with international meetings and convenings, develop and disseminate programme outputs and outcomes, gain knowledge on interfaith peacebuilding, and more!

If you or someone you know is interested, go to 💻 www.rfp.org/careers to learn how to apply. Applications will be accepted until 11 December 2023.

Day 10 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Rev. Dr. Thomas Wipf, Moderator of the Religions for Peace-European Council of Religious Leaders. Rev. Wipf notes that the Protestant Reformed Church places great emphasis on equality between women and men, however it is still important to continue to stand up against gender-based violence.

Day 10 of : Religions for Peace brings together its national and regional Interreligious Councils, religious and faith communities, and diverse stakeholders to advance common action that address violence against women and girls across the globe.

Advancing gender equality is one of the thematic areas of Religions for Peace. It is against this backdrop that we invite you our upcoming event Interfaith Responses to Gender-based Violence: A Fireside Chat, which will engage several Religions for Peace leaders, by diving deeper into the topic of engaging multi-religiously and multi-collaboratively to advance women’s dignity and address gender-based violence.

📅 5 December 2023
⏰ 9:00 am - 10:30 am EDT
🔗 https://bit.ly/3uDz6pN

Day 9 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Ms. Aleeyah Lallmahomed, Co-Chair of the African Interfaith Youth Network of the African Council of Leaders. Ms. Lallmahomed shares a quote from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about how respecting women is one of the best character traits of a Muslim.

Day 8 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Rev. Megumi Wada, Deputy Chair of the Religions for Peace International Women's Coordinating Committee who tells us that based on the Buddhist teachings of the Lotus Sutra, everyone is deserving of respect and dignity, regardless of gender.

Also on 4 December 2023, during COP28, Religions for Peace and partners will host the side event, “Food Systems Transformation: Elevating Healthy Diets & Protein Diversification as Climate Solutions.” This official side event will shed light on the indispensable role of food systems in climate action. With food systems contributing to approximately one-third of total greenhouse gas emissions, achieving the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree target necessitates a radical shift in food production and consumption practices.

Watch the livestream by going to 🔗 https://bit.ly/3sRmtXJ!

On 4 December 2023, Religions for Peace and the Global Peace Initiative of Women (GPIW), in collaboration with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), University for Peace (UPEACE), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), will host a hybrid side event at the first-ever Faith Pavilion at COP, entitled, Women of Faith for Rights and Resilience: Taking Stock of Progress and Lessons Learned from Decades of Climate Action. As part of Religions for Peace’s collaboration with USIP, UPEACE, and OHCHR on the theme of Religions, Beliefs and Human Rights: A ‘Faith for Rights’ Approach, this side event falls under the analytical celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Read the Concept Note and learn how to tune in 🔗 https://bit.ly/3uHVEWt!

Day 7 of : As we raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, Religions for Peace highlights members of its diverse religious and faith leaders who continue to advance common action against gender-based violence.

Today, Religions for Peace highlights Dr. Antantand Rambachan, Co-President of Religions for Peace who tells us that Hindu teachings do not give any basis for denying women their rights or treating them unfairly.

: In line with our commitment to advancing gender equality, Religions for Peace reaffirms its commitment to the movement and seeks to work towards an altered reality in the future.

This Thursday, Religions for Peace is proud to highlight Mr. Yasuke Saito, Member of the Religions for Peace International Youth Committee. Yasuke commits to Thursdays in Black and stands in solidarity with victims of gender-based violence!

Science and spirituality are often framed as being in conflict with each other. Last year, Religions for Peace and the Templeton World Charity Foundation explored how the study and practice of forgiveness can bring spirituality and science together to complement one another, during the event “Forgiveness Forum 4: Where Science and Spirituality Meet.” Let us reflect on the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation as pivotal to healing and peace – and how faith and science can be taken up in different ways to invoke forgiveness.

To watch the full video, go to: bit.ly/ForgivenessForum4!

Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Templeton World Charity Foundation

Day 6 of : What do faiths and religions say about gender-based activism? Religions for Peace shares a segment of a religious scripture to reaffirm the importance of religion in addressing gender-based violence. To learn more, please go to the Dignity of Women Scriptural Reflections toolkit, published by the Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network: https://bit.ly/3MUfROW.

We also invite you to support the work of Religions for Peace as we advance gender equality for all: https://bit.ly/3goNKXm.

: Meet Saad Kamil, Development intern with Religions for Peace and student at the Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame!

If you or someone you know is interested in applying to be an intern with Religions for Peace for Spring 2024, go 💻 www.rfp.org/careers to learn how to apply!

Positions available are: Communications Intern, Development Intern, and Programmes Intern.

Join Religions for Peace, the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace ACRL-RfP, and ICAN as we aim to foster collaboration and understanding between faith communities to advance the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( )!

🗓️ TODAY, 30 November 2023
⏰ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT (Discussions will be followed by a light lunch!)
Limited in-person seating still available 🔗 https://bit.ly/47FX2aj!

Join Religions for Peace, the African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace ACRL-RfP, and ICAN as we aim to foster collaboration and understanding between faith communities to advance the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( )!

🗓️ Thursday, 30 November 2023
⏰ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT (Discussions will be followed by a light lunch!)
Limited in-person seating still available 🔗 https://bit.ly/47FX2aj!

Day 5 of : Religions for Peace brings together its national and regional Interreligious Councils, religious and faith communities, and diverse stakeholders to advance common action that address violence against women and girls across the globe.

Advancing gender equality is one of the thematic areas of Religions for Peace. It is against this backdrop that we invite you our upcoming event Interfaith Responses to Gender-based Violence: A Fireside Chat, which will engage several Religions for Peace leaders, by diving deeper into the topic of engaging multi-religiously and multi-collaboratively to advance women’s dignity and address gender-based violence.

📅 5 December 2023
⏰ 9:00 am - 10:30 am EDT
🔗 https://bit.ly/3uDz6pN

As the activities of the holiday season begin, Religions for Peace invites you to pause and to reflect on what matters most in your life and in the world. This Giving Tuesday, please join us in making a difference by supporting Religions for Peace.

Our mission is to harness the power of faith communities to foster Peace for People and the Planet.

Here are just a few ways your donation can have a meaningful impact:
-Building bridges between diverse religious communities by fostering compassion, forgiveness, and harmony;
-Providing critical humanitarian aid to communities affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies;
-Empowering multi-religious youth through educational programmes that foster tolerance, empathy, and a commitment to social justice, while cultivating the next generation of leaders;
-Promoting sustainable practices and advocating for environmental justice and stewardship.

Let's unite on Giving Tuesday to spread the gift of peace.

Give a $25 gift today: https://bit.ly/3goNKXm.

Also, please consider sharing this post with 5 of your friends, family members, and colleagues to help grow the reach of the Religions for Peace network.

Day 4 of : What do faiths and religions say about gender-based activism? Religions for Peace shares a segment of a religious scripture to reaffirm the importance of religion in combatting gender-based violence. To learn more, please go to the Dignity of Women Scriptural Reflections toolkit, published by the Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network: https://bit.ly/3MUfROW.

We also invite you to support the work of Religions for Peace as we advance gender equality for all: https://bit.ly/3goNKXm.

Join Religions for Peace, African Council of Religious Leaders - Religions for Peace ACRL-RfP, and ICAN as we aim to foster collaboration and understanding between faith communities to advance the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ( )!

Speakers will include:
- A Keynote Address from Mr. Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
- Opening Remarks from Ms. Simona Cruciani, Sr. Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide
- Hon. Melissa Parke, Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
- Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary-General, African Council of Religious Leaders- Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP)
- Rev. Masamichi Kamiya, Special Advisor to the SG of Religions for Peace Japan
- Imam Shamsi Ali, Jamaica Muslim Center

🗓️ 30 November 2023
⏰ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
🔗 https://bit.ly/47FX2aj

Day 3 of : What do faiths and religions say about gender-based activism? Religions for Peace shares a segment of a religious scripture to reaffirm the importance of religion in addressing gender-based violence. To learn more, please go to the Dignity of Women Scriptural Reflections toolkit, published by the Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network: https://bit.ly/3MUfROW.

We also invite you to support the work of Religions for Peace as we advance gender equality for all: https://bit.ly/3goNKXm.

📢 Just a few more days to apply to Religions for Peace's Spring 2024 Internship Programme! Headquartered in New York City and accredited to the United Nations, Religions for Peace works through more than 90 Interreligious Councils in 6 regions, networks of religious youth and women of faith, and a World Council of religious leaders comprising of the world’s largest and most representative coalition of religious communities.

Positions available for Spring 2024 are: Communications Intern, Development Intern, and Programmes Intern.

Each internship provides the opportunity to work with the International Secretariat team to assist with international meetings and convenings, develop and disseminate programme outputs and outcomes, gain knowledge on interfaith peacebuilding, and more!

If you or someone you know is interested, go to 💻 www.rfp.org/careers to learn how to apply. Applications will be accepted until 4 December 2023.

The day after the Diwali festival is the official Jain New Year. As the beginning of the Jain New Year commences, Religions for Peace wishes each a very happy new year! Let us come together and take part in joyful gatherings with friends, relatives and family members!

Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrates the birth of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nanak. Marking an important anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, who played an important role in shaping and strengthening the Sikh community, let us all remember the importance of supporting one another as well as taking up selfless service to those in need!