At the United Nation On Thursday 6th February 2020. AlizéLaVie’s team had the privilege of taking part in one of the many interfaith events organized during the World Interfaith Harmony Week. These events aim to bring together people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs. The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations was the main sponsor. Co-sponsors were the United African Congress, Give them Foundation, The Nusantara Foundation, The International Association of Applied Psychology, Buddha’s Light International Association, and the UNSRC Enlightenment Society.
History
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event observed during the first week of February. It was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in resolution A/RES/65/5 adopted on the 20th of October 2010. In the resolution, the UN General Assembly points out that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of culture and peace. They recognized the imperative need for dialogue amongst different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony, and cooperation among people. The UN General Assembly encourages all States to spread the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week, voluntarily and according to their religious convictions.
Faith Leaders speak out
This interfaith event focused on real-life issues affecting peoples worldwide, including climate change, widespread violence, religious and racial intolerance, health epidemics, and widening economic gaps. Many of the faith leaders spoke out courageously. They regretfully pointed out how violence has increased worldwide and emphasized the solution was to promote empathy and prosocial behavior.
“This antidote is the cornerstone of the world’s great religions. However these religions working in isolation from one another are not powerful enough to stem the spread of violence.“The United Nations needs to champion the cause of religious equality and facilitate interfaith cooperation as a solution to the ever-increasing cycles of violence in the world.” Professor Ken Holloway
At the core of all the faith systems and traditions is the recognition that we are all in this together and that we need to love and support one another to live in harmony and peace in an environmentally sustainable world. Let’s keep raising awareness.
Article by Alizé Utteryn
Photos : James Hercule
