Religions for Peace

—Launches “Restoring Dignity – A Toolkit for Religious Communities to End Violence against Women,” and the second edition of “Faith in Action: Working toward the Millennium Development Goals”—

(NEW YORK, 23 September 2010)—Religions for Peace, in collaboration with the UN Millennium Campaign, World Justice Project and the World Council of Churches, and with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened a multi-religious consultation on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly’s High Level Plenary on the MDGs. The convening brought together expert religious leaders, government representatives, civil society representatives, and partners, including the United Nations Foundation (UNF), the UN Development Program (UNDP), UNIFEM, World Vision U.S, and Church Development Service (EDD), among others.

The two-day consultation  that took place on 20-21 September, gathered over 50 world leaders who focused their discussions on engaging religious leaders and faith communities in efforts to achieve the MDGs. The interactive dialogue between faith leaders, political leaders, and the United Nations, focused in particular on global partnership for development that ensures the legal empowerment of the poor, addresses maternal mortality, and confronts violence against women. The convening reiterated that the MDGs cannot be achieved without ensuring accountability and transparency by all parties.

Delegates emphasised the urgent need to accelerate progress on the MDGs and reaffirmed the fundamental role that inter-religious cooperation plays in securing effective and fair legal empowerment of the poor and the rule of law for the advancement of the MDGs.

Delegates also urged for accountability in enhancing women’s rights and ending gender discrimination and inequality. The emphasis was laid on the fact that the MDGs cannot be attained unless greater progress was made towards reducing violence against women and improving the health of women and children.


The speakers urged the United Nations, governments, and other civil society to recognize the particular role of faith communities and also reiterated the need to further strengthen the engagement of religious leaders. “The utilization of places of worship for educational and healthcare needs to be reinstated. There is always a place of worship in even the remotest parts of the world and religious leaders need to start utilizing them in a way that will benefit the whole community,” said Mrs. Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, Co-chair of the Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network.

The consultation engaged key leaders including Ms. Maria Laura Vargas Valcarcel, Executive Secretary, Inter-religious Committee of Peru-Religions for Peace, and Co-coordinator, Latin American and Caribbean Women of Faith Network (LACWFN); Rev. Usman Fornah, Secretary General, Inter-religious Council of Sierra Leone; and Mr. Joshua Kitakule, Secretary General, Inter-religious Council of Uganda.

The delegates commended efforts to build the capacity of religious leaders and communities to advocate for the implementation of the MDGs. The second edition of “Faith in Action: Working toward the Millennium Development Goals,” an action toolkit for religious leaders and communities developed by Religions for Peace in partnership with the UN Millennium Campaign, was launched. “Religion and religious communities have a critical role to play in the attainment of the MDGs. This multi-faith action toolkit is designed specifically for religious leaders from diverse religious traditions to work together in raising awareness, advocating, and conducting outreach to achieve the MDGs,’ said Deepika Singh, Director of Program Coordination, Religions for Peace.

 “ Restoring Dignity: A Toolkit for Religious Communities to End Violence Against Women”, a resource aimed at strengthening the capacities of faith communities to deepen understanding and awareness on violence against women and the moral imperative to end it, was also launched. “This is a perfect opportunity to share this resource with you,” said  Ms. Urjasi Rudra, UNIFEM Coordinator, Say NO - UNiTE to End Violence against Women, “it offers relevant, practical tools to engage leaders and communities of faith, young men and women of faith in combating violence against women and girls.”

“The most effective goal is developing global partnership for development. Global partnership and universalizing our efforts is the powerful tool for achieving all eight goals,” His Holiness Sri Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, Abbot of Sri Puthtige Math and a Co-president of the Religions for Peace World Council, said on the occasion.