Topics for discussion at consultations regarding the proposal for an interreligious council at the United Nations.

1. Toward an Interreligious Council
at the United Nations
Consultations organized by the Universal Peace Federation

2. Vision for an Interreligious Council
 The existing United Nations structure, composed of
national representatives, may be regarded as a congress
where the interests of each member nation are
represented. However, I submit that serious
consideration should be given to forming a religious
assembly, or council of religious representatives within
the structure of the United Nations. This assembly or
council would consist of respected spiritual leaders in
fields such as religion, culture, and education.
Dr. Sun Myung Moon
Remarks at the United Nations, August 18, 2000

3. Mission of an Interreligious Council
 Promote interreligious dialogue, understanding, and
cooperation for peace
 Draw on spiritual and religious wisdom to address
global issues of conflict, war, poverty, hunger, and
disease
 Address conflicts with religious and ethnic bases

4. Guiding Principle
 Affirmation of the sacred value and rights of all
human beings, regardless of religion, nationality,
ethnicity, and race
The Albania
Peace
Council
addresses
issues faced
by Balkan
nations.

5. Benefits to the UN
 Complement the UN’s work with additional
dimensions for assessing and resolving global
problems
 Give insights on moral and spiritual issues
 Help counter religious extremism
 Help prevent religious differences from being
exploited to stir up conflict
 Ensure that development aid is culturally and
religiously sensitive
 Serve as a recourse for minority communities

6. Benefits to Religions
 Help build bridges between liberals and
fundamentalists in the same faith
 Challenge the misuse of religion as a cover for
politically or economically-motivated violence
 Expand the potential of religion to change people’s
hearts and deepen relationships
 Provide a model of how spiritual and religious
groups can rise above differences and work together
for the common good

7. Progress in Interreligious Dialogue at the UN
2004
Promote Interreligious Dialogue, G.A. resolution
59/23 (Sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the
Republic of the Philippines to the United Nations)
2006
Tripartite Interfaith Forums begin at the UN:
Partnership of Member States, UN bodies, & NGOs
2007
Establishment of a Focal Unit in the Department of
Economic and Social Affairs at the UN,
G.A. Resolution 61/221
2007 &
2008
High-Level Dialogues in the General Assembly on
Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and
Cooperation for Peace
2011
World Interfaith Harmony Week, draft G.A.
resolution: first week of February every year

8. World Interfaith Harmony Week Observed
at the UN General Assembly Hall
Theme: “Common Ground for the Common Good”

9. World Interfaith Harmony Week Observed
at the UN Headquarters in Vienna
Theme: “The Role of Religions in Promoting a Culture of Peace”

10. Proposed Activities of the Council
Assess
global
Issues and
advise UN
bodies
International
and
grassroots
action
Conflict
prevention
Post-conflict
resolution
Dialogue
and
deliberation

11. Proposed Scope of Activity
 Work in close cooperation with UN member states,
UN agencies, governments, regional organizations,
faith communities, and other institutions of civil
society
A consultation with
the Alliance of
Civilizations at the
UN in New York on
“The Relevance of
Interreligious and
Inter-Civilizational
Dialogue to the Post-
2015 Sustainable
Development Goals”

12. Dialogue and Deliberation
 Promote interreligious dialogue, understanding
and cooperation in support of peacebuilding efforts
Establishment
of the
National
Interreligious
Peace Council
of Thailand

13. Assess Global Issues
 Analyze, review, and report on global issues
 Bring together experts in various fields from diverse
religious traditions to recommend solutions
Track II
interfaith
consultation on
the crisis in
Syria at the UN
headquarters in
Geneva,
Switzerland

14. Counter Extremism
 Promote tolerance and reconciliation
 Foster peaceful, inclusive societies
 Counter violent extremism
UN Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon urges
religious leaders to unite
against extremism at a
General Assembly
Thematic Debate on
Promoting Tolerance,
Reconciliation, April
2015
UN Photo

15. International and Grassroots Action
 Invite consultation and collaboration with civil
society, non-governmental organizations, and the
private sector
Middle East
Peace Initiative
international
consultation in
Jerusalem

16. Conflict Intervention
• Cultivate connections between opposing sides
through citizen diplomacy
Building bridges
between warring
nations, Russians
meet with Georgian
officials at the
International Center
for Negotiations in
Tbilisi.

17. Post-Conflict Resolution
 Draw on additional perspectives and
resources to address social issues
Africa Day
celebrations together
with the African
Union in New York
addressed by UN
Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon

18. Challenges to Consider
 What areas or issues should be the primary focus of
the council?
 How to ensure a balance of representation both
geographically and religiously?
A consultation
at the House
of Commons
in London

19. Challenges to Consider
 How to ensure that smaller religions, minority
branches of a religion, women, young people are
represented?
Launching the
Global Peace
Women’s Network
in Thailand at the
United Nations
Conference Center
in Bangkok

20. Challenges to Consider
 How to ensure that religious leaders do not try to
usurp government roles?
 How to prevent nations from using religion to give a
cloak of respectability to questionable policies?

21. Challenges to Consider
 How to ensure that narrow, self-centered concerns
do not undermine an interreligious council?
A forum at the United
Nations Information
Centre in New Delhi on
“Seeking Common
Ground While Building
Interfaith Harmony
among Youth”

22. Challenges to Consider
 How to build the capacity of faith communities to
translate lofty ideas into practical policies?
Eyewitnesses report
how religious leaders
in East Germany
mediated between
public officials and
protesters, opening
the way to the fall of
the Berlin Wall and
peaceful reunification
of Germany.

23. Next Steps
 Ongoing consultations
 Work with experts to prepare a draft resolution
establishing such a council.
 Present a draft resolution to the General Assembly.
 Garner support.

24. How to Get Involved
• Reach out to garner support from government
leaders, religious leaders, NGOs, etc.
• Participate in a consultation or submit input
and recommendations.
For more information see
http://www.upf.org/united-nations/interfaith-council-proposal
Email info@upf.org