Dr Kiki Didigu, senior strategic partnerships specialist for the United Nations Population Fund, noted that the theme of the symposium, “Faith Meets Global Values - Crisis and Promise of Multilateralism” could not be more timely, as the multilateralism sees a convergence of pressures and increasing strain. "These dynamics are not abstract,” said Didigu, who co-moderated the opening session. “They have real implications for real people and real communities. Faith-based organizations, religious actors are not peripheral to these dynamics—rather they are deeply embedded in them.” Prof. Dr Azza Karam, CEO, Lead Integrity and former secretary general of Religions for Peace, noted that the crisis in multilateralism is not only political but among religious institutions as well. “I think, these days, collaboration should never be taken for granted,” she said. “The United Nations has taken very clear positions on sorts of issues.” But the same—that is, a clear and unified position—cannot be noted for religious institutions. “Wars—they are justified by a religious narrative,” said Karam. “There is zero value added politically to multilateralism if the religious organizations continue as they are today." Dr Adam Lupel, executive director for the Coalition for the UN We Need, introduced two “nuts and bolts” aspects of reforming the United Nations. The first, he noted, is financing. “I think it would behoove all of us to take this moment to lean into cooperation and think that, if we all work together, there are more resources,” he said. The second aspect of reform Lupel cited is related to the fact that widening conflicts and real vulnerability of civilians means the UN is not living up to its first purpose: to prevent conflict. “There is a real hunger for a revitalized system that is more representative and inclusive,” he said. “We all have to ask ourselves individually: how do you regain trust?” Collaboration that is not true or trustful, Karam reflected, can be a detriment to human rights. “Human rights of all people at all times. No exceptions,” she said. “What we are seeing today does not point to that collaboration.” Lupel emphasized that civil society is impactful when it’s engaged as part of the community. “The research is robust about including women in peace processes,” he said. “It means you will have more success, more chance of coming to agreement. That’s not just because you have women at the table but it’s because women are connected to civil society.” Three panels addressed the crisis of multilateralism; how the UN—at 80 years old—is responding to the changing context; and faith-based concerns for people and planet. Peter Prove, director of the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, who co-moderated the symposium, closed the gathering by urging that the deep conversation must continue and that, as much as we address the crisis in the multilateral intergovernmental system, we must address it among religious institutions as well. “We cannot preach to the system if we are not practicing that cooperation, that unity, that engagement,” he said. “We don’t utilize our demographic power: the hundreds of millions—of billions—of people in our constituencies have real political power. We need to be thinking much more concretely how we mobilize that demographic power as well as the moral messaging.” The 2026 edition of the symposium was co-sponsored by the World Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, International Academy for Multicultural Cooperation, Islamic Relief USA, Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue-Jewish Theological Seminary, Soka Gakkai International, The Lutheran World Federation, and United Religions Initiative; in cooperation with the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development and its Multi-Faith Advisory Council. The full recording of the event will be available soon at the WCC YouTube channel. Photo gallery Learn more about the work of the Ecumenical Office to the United Nations | 
No comments:
Post a Comment