The official title of the event, “Caring for our common future”, raises questions as to the socio-political role and responsibility of world religions.
From 20 to 23 August, the southern German town of Lindau will host probably the most important meeting of leading religious representatives in the world this year. Organisers expect 900 participants from 17 religions and more than 100 countries to attend the tenth world assembly of “Religions for Peace”. The New York-based non-governmental organisation was founded in 1961. Now its World Assembly, which takes place every five to six years, is coming to Germany for the first time.
The official title of the event, “Caring for our common future”, raises questions as to the socio-political role and responsibility of world religions. Some years ago, the German Foreign Office created an independent department entitled “Responsibility of Religions for Peace”. Moreover there is a growing trend in international politics to involve religious leaders as interlocutors. “In many conflicts, religion is part of the problem, but it can also be part of conflict resolution,” said Norwegian Gunnar Stalsett, former Lutheran bishop and now Honorary President of the World Council of Religions for Peace. Thatʹs why it is so important to support those willing to engage in dialogue from the different religions and encourage them to speak out in their own civil societies. Germanyʹs President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is set to attend the opening of the World Assembly
(Extracted from en.qantara.de)
COMMENTS