Marking this year’s International Day of Peace, an expert group of religious, cultural, and peace-building leaders today underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue in achieving a more equitable and sustainable future.
Observed on September 21, the International Day of Peace advocates for a world free of war and conflict. As the global pandemic begins to ease and the planet looks ahead to a post-COVID-19 era, this message of harmony has particular resonance.
Over the last eighteen months, it has been the most vulnerable communities that have suffered the greatest. With unequal access to healthcare, they have been less sheltered from the virus, while a rise in hate speech and discrimination has impacted them disproportionately. To make matters worse, there has been an increase in nationalism, authoritarianism, and intolerance globally.