Leaders from various faith traditions convened in Tokyo for the “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace Roundtables” from February 19th to 21st.
The event, organized by Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) support, involved participants from five religions and 15 countries affected by conflict to deliberate on strategies for peace and reconciliation.
The conclusion of the roundtable was marked by a collective statement affirming a commitment to peace, underscoring the importance of respecting life and human dignity.
It specifically addressed the plight of individuals in conflict zones, including Haiti, the Middle East, Myanmar, and Ukraine, and the disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations.
“We denounce war and violence, recognizing its violation of the sacred principle of upholding the sanctity of life and human dignity,” said the faith leaders.
They pledged to tackle issues of violence, displacement, and human rights violations, focusing on providing humanitarian aid and fostering long-term healing.
Dr. Francis Kuria Kagema, Secretary General of Religions for Peace, emphasized the critical role of religious leadership in resolving conflicts.
Echoing this sentiment, Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis and Dr. Vinu Aram, co-moderators of Religions for Peace, highlighted the importance of aiming for long-term reconciliation and engaging all sectors of society in peace efforts.
