Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly in Lindau, Germany
Religions for Peace in partnership with the Foundation Peace Dialogue of the World Religions and Civil Society will convene the Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly – the world’s most representative, multi-religious gathering of religious communities – from 20-23 August 2019. This Assembly will be undertaken with the generous support of the German Federal Foreign Office and the Bavarian State.
The Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly, under the theme “Caring for our Common Future ̶ Advancing Shared Well-being,” will be global in scale, multi-stakeholder in composition and action-oriented. Some 800 senior religious leaders, youth and women of faith from over 100 countries will be joined by 100 representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations and civil society groups to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for the common good. Previous Religions for PeaceAssemblies have resulted in highly effective multi-religious projects in peacebuilding and development in all word regions.
The Assembly is itself a time of multi-religious action. Religious leaders coming from zones of conflict will engage in conflict mediation sessions among additional religious leaders and other key stakeholders. These private Track II peace consultations in previous Assemblies have resulted in highly positive outcomes in the Balkans, West Africa, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. National inter-religious councils (IRCs) and groups will exchange best practices to become better equipped to take concrete action on the ground in their own countries.
10th World Assembly of World Religion Details
900 participants from over 100 countries
The Assembly will bring notable representatives from at least 100 countries to Lindau. Some 900 representatives of the world’s historic religions as well as from civil society, governments, NGOs and multilateral institutions are expected. Assembly delegates include Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Shinto, Taoist and Zoroastrian religious leaders. The Assembly will be opened by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The Religions for Peace 10th World Assembly will be global in scale, multi-stakeholder in composition and action-oriented. It will convene approximately 800 senior religious leaders from around the world who are strategically positioned to advance multi-religious action for the common good. It will also include 100 representatives of governments, intergovernmental organizations,charitable foundations, and other civil society sectors and provide concrete opportunities to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships for the common good. Major successes in the advancement of peace, development and shared security will be responsibly shared and serve as a basis for further action.
“Deeply held and widely shared” values
The 10th World Assembly is entitled ”Caring for Our Common Future – Advancing Shared Well-being.” Religious representatives and leaders at the Assembly will engage their moral and social responsibility to “Care for Our Common Future” and provide value-based leadership for the cultivation of peace.
What can the religions do in times of war, intolerance and terror to transform conflict, promote just and harmonious societies, foster sustainable development and protect the earth? How can they cultivate a society united in solidarity—united in the understanding that the security and dignity of each person is inherently linked to that of all other persons? How can they lead multi-religious cooperation that bears fruit in common, concrete action, motivated by these shared moral concerns? These are the questions that will guide the World Assembly.
The Assembly is a time of multi-religious action. Religious leaders from zones of conflict will work together to advance peace and reconciliation. National inter-religious councils (IRCs) and groups will exchange best practices to become better equipped to take concrete action on the ground in their own countries. The World Assembly affords a safe environment that provides a unique opportunity for religious leaders to engage in conflict mediation sessions. Religions for Peace will facilitate several private negotiating sessions among religious leaders coming from zones of conflict. Similar efforts in previous Assemblies have resulted in highly positive steps forward in the Balkans, West Africa, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The Assembly will highlight the essential role of women and youth as peacemakers, particularly in the Middle East, but also within each geographic region. Overarching goals include the development of a strategic plan for multi-religious action based on deeply held and widely shared values and the creation of a neutral space where religious leaders from some of the world’s most pressing conflicts may meet and collaborate with the support of the multi-religious and global communities.
Lindau: Tri-State-area at Lake Constance
Lindau at Lake Constance, in the heart of Europe, was chosen deliberately as the location for the Assembly, being located within the tri-State-area and thus somehow in a neutral zone. During two prior visits in 2017 and 2018, the World Council of Religions for Peace experienced Lindau as an ideal, decentral location with short distances and proximity to nature. In addition, all religions have a special affinity to water, and Lake Constance connects three countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Furthermore, the Assembly will build on the civilizing heritage that was started by the monks that moved to this area 1400 years ago from Ireland and France. Guests from around the world will meet here in an international environment that, with its rich nature, reminds that climate protection is an essential component of peace.
Lindau is well experienced with large conferences and thus well prepared for an event of this size: the most notable regular forums include the nobel laureate meetings as well as the psychotherapy weeks. The newly renovated Inselhalle, which will house the World Assembly, offers perfect possibilities for hosting large events, intimate discussions, dynamic workshops and high-level consultations.
We’re just arrived in the beautiful city of #Lindau – only one night left before #RfP19 starts. Stay updated and follow us! #Religions4Peace #RfPYouth pic.twitter.com/2kXYuYB29H
— RfP Youth Media Team (@RfP_Youth) August 18, 2019
