{"id":733,"date":"2022-11-20T14:15:17","date_gmt":"2022-11-20T11:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kaf1.org\/?page_id=733"},"modified":"2026-09-12T21:59:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T18:59:15","slug":"towards-a-more-comprehensive-interfaith-dialogue-dr-ewelina-u-ochab","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/kaf1.org\/?page_id=733","title":{"rendered":"Towards A More Comprehensive Interfaith Dialogue | Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab<\/a>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FORBES<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab is a human rights advocate, author and co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an age where religious persecution is spreading at speed, it is crucial to consider steps which need to be taken to prevent further acts of religiously motivated violence. If it is not possible to prevent this altogether, then we must, at least, consider how we slow it down. Engaging in political dialogue and stressing the need to adhere to international legal standards and states\u2019 international law obligations is not nearly enough. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If we take into consideration the fact that in most states, it is predominately religious minorities that are being persecuted, it becomes clear that the only way to prevent religious persecution is to ensure the right to freedom of religion or belief for all, whether one belongs to the majority or minority groups. The majority group plays a critical role in addressing the persecution of minorities. Their influence on the situation for minority groups cannot be downplayed. Hence, today, more than ever, it is crucial to open an interfaith dialogue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interfaith dialogue, which refers to an exchange among religious communities on issues of mutual concern, explores<\/a> the \u201cengagement of the world’s religious traditions around theological questions and in their efforts to collaborate on questions of peace, human rights, and economic and social development.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Actors which are often neglected in these debates are businesses. Businesses should have, at the forefront of their corporate governance policies, an acute focus on adherence to human rights (including the right to freedom of religion or belief for all) in states where they manufacture, buy or sell their goods. They must maintain an open dialogue with local and national authorities about the need to adhere to human rights standards. Similarly, they must require their local partners to comply with the internationally recognized standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These two aspects, engaging in an interfaith dialogue and engaging businesses, are the key objectives of the G20 Interfaith Forum<\/a>. The initiative recognizes that an interfaith dialogue is occurring but that it needs to be strengthened. Indeed, the G20 Interfaith Forum provides a platform for religious voices to identify policy initiatives that could help in that aim. Its quest for equity and equality is in keeping with the 2030 Global Agenda<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rationale behind the G20 Interfaith Forum is that global religious communities make a substantial contribution to global agendas with both practical and ethical insights. Their contributions should not be disregarded only because of their religious affiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The annual G20 Interfaith Forum aims to build a network of faith and interfaith leaders from around the world, together with non-governmental organizations and other policy leaders, to discuss the role that religious communities can play in promoting the goals of successive G20 Economic Summits. The G20 Interfaith Forum identifies the policy and societal contributions of faith traditions and philosophies on leading global issues. The aim is to develop recommendations on priority issues that draw on interfaith insight and experience. The 2018 G20 Interfaith Forum discussed such urgent issues as equality and gender perspective, the migration and refugee crisis, modern-day slavery, environmental issues, hunger and violent extremism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s forum, which was entitled \u201cBuilding Consensus for Fair and Sustainable Development: Religious Contributions for a Dignified Future\u201d, was the fifth such annual event and took place in Argentina. It was focused on maintaining and expanding the ongoing dialogue on religiously\u2013and ethically\u2013informed dimensions to the economy, development and society. The 2018 G20 Interfaith Forum was attended by over 450 people at its peak (including approximately 150 speakers), representing over 28 countries. Among the 150 speakers, 52 religions or religious organizations, 35 governments, 20 NGOs and 16 businesses were represented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was not a coincidence that the G20 Interfaith Forum took place in Argentina this year. The G20 Interfaith Forum follows the G20 Economic Summit. G20<\/a> Economic Summit is \u201cleading forum of the world’s major economies that seeks to develop global policies to address today\u2019s most pressing challenges.\u201d The G20 Economic Summit represents the business engagement that is crucial to address the challenges pertaining to religious freedom. The 2018 G20 Economic Summit, similar to the G20 Interfaith Forum focuses on building consensus for fair and sustainable development. Whether the issue of religious contribution to achieving this goal will be discussed at the G20 Economic Summit, it is unclear. However, there is a lot that can be learned<\/a> from religious communities and from the G20 Interfaith Forum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow me on Twitter<\/a> or LinkedIn<\/a>. Check out my website<\/a> or some of my other work here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n