The panel debate was held on the occasion of the 2018 World Human Rights Day at the United Nations Office in Geneva.
The focus of the conference was to discuss how Education for Peace can engage different stakeholders to counter violent extremist narratives, build peaceful and inclusive societies as well as to promote universally shared values upheld in diverse faiths and creeds. The debate offered an opportunity to identify more broadly commonalities and potential for mutual enhancement of world faiths and creeds in the pursuit of tolerance as a gateway to inter-religious empathy and in the promotion of a culture of peace.
The Executive Director of the Geneva Centre Ambassador Idriss Jazairy served as the panel moderator. The panel was opened by introductory remarks made by HE Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim, Chairman of the Geneva Centre’s Board of Management and Reverend Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches.
Panellists:
- HE Bishop Miguel Ayuso, Titular Bishop of Luperciana, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue;
- Professor Anantanand Rambachan, Professor of Religion at St. Olaf College (US);
- Professor Majeda Omar, Professor at the University of Jordan. Member of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs. Former Director of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies;
- Ambassador Beris Gwynne, President of Incitare. Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Former Ambassador of Australia;
- Dr. Debbie Weissman, Former President of the International Council of Christians and Jews. Author of “Memoirs of a Hopeful Pessimist: A Life of Activism through Dialogue”;
- Mr. Renato Opertti, Senior Programme Specialist, IBE-UNESCO;
- Mr. Jan-Willem Bult, Head of Children & Youth Media and Chief Editor of WADADA News for Kids.
Video Report: Education for Peace in a Multi-Religious World
Event Partner: the World Council of Churches