It’s safe to say that prior to November 2017, few Americans – and relatively few people outside the Pacific Islands – had heard of “Talanoa.” Over the past 12 months, however, Talanoa has become central to the ongoing process of United Nations global climate negotiations, and word is starting to get out that this particular framework for dialogue can be effective even when other models have failed. Talanoa’s unique approach of building empathy and common understanding allows participants to share areas of common concern and common aspirations, which in turn opens pathways for identifying steps for future action.
United Nations
Secretary-General on Global Connections Television at UN
Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of the World Conference of Religions for Peace, lays out how religious leaders and major religions can help create a better world and reduce conflicts.
Nuclear Ban Treaty references Work of Religious Leaders
(New York, 7 July 2017) On 7 July 2017, Religions for Peace (RfP) joined more than 120 UN member states, parliamentarians, mayors, and civil society organizations in celebrating the adoption of a legally binding treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination. The preamble of the new treaty highlights the role of religious leaders in raising public conscience on the principles of humanity.
International Day of Peace
Religions for Peace will be partnering with many organisations worldwide on World Day of Peace, 2016. As we know, achieving a more peaceful world is a shared responsibility and it is only through our collective efforts, actions large and small, that we will persevere in creating a safer, more just world for all people.
Holy See at UN: What are Human Rights?
The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations addressed this week the High Level Thematic Debate on Human Rights. Archbishop Bernardino Auza affirmed in the address that in order for talk of human rights to be effective and useful, there must be an understanding of where human rights come from in the first place. Moreover, the archbishop reminded, “the term ‘human right’ must be strictly and prudently applied, lest it become a rhetorical catch-all, endlessly expanded to suit the passing tastes of the age.”
Holy See to United Nations: Religious Authorities Have to Be the Leaders in Stopping Terrorism
The Permanant Observer of the Vatican to the United Nations gives account of recent terrorism and the role of religious leaders in countering terrorism. The recent Marrakesh Declaration is cited as example of efforts by religious leaders to repudiate, refute and rebut erroneous presentations of religious teachings which seek to recuit those symapthetic to false interpretations of religious teachings.
Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development
The High-level Thematic Debate on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place on Thursday, 21 April 2016, at UN Headquarters in New York. Following opening keynote speeches, plenary convened throughout the day for national statements on the theme “Action at All Levels: National Implementation.” In the morning, two panels took place on the theme “Financing poverty eradication and sustainable development,” addressing successful frameworks and strategies for financing SDGs and the paradigm shift towards low carbon societies, and enhancing international cooperation in tax and financial matters.
Religious leaders and legislators present nuclear aboltion call to the United Nations
Support for Faiths for Earth continues to rise as we journey together – on this our common home – on the Road to Paris. The United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences/Social Sciences, and Religions for Peace has produced a short educational video on Laudato Si‘, the encyclical of Pope Francis.
