KAICIID’s Strategic Engagement at the 2024 G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) and PaRD Annual Forum to Promote Global Peace and Sustainable Development in Brasília

Lisbon, Portugal – 14/08/2024

The International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, honouring its long-standing cooperation and membership in PaRD and the G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20), is set to play a significant role at the co-organized Annual Forum in Brasília. This event aims to foster global dialogue and sustainable development. The 2024 G20 Interfaith Forum and PaRD Annual Forum on Religion and Sustainable Development, themed "Leave No One Behind: The Well-Being of the Planet and Its People," will take place in Brasília from August 19 to 22, 2024. The event seeks to leverage interreligious dialogue (IRD) and the contributions of faith-based organizations to address global challenges and advance sustainable development. KAICIID is a supporting sponsor alongside the Brazilian Center on Studies in Law and Religion, the Stirling Foundation, the J. Reuben Clark Law School (JRCB), and the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. KAICIID’s outreach to Brazil also aims to initiate consultations with key local interlocutors, advancing its programmatic expansion in Latin America.

A Convergence of Objectives: Strategic Partnerships for Global Impact

KAICIID’s Commitment:  As a leader in promoting interreligious dialogue, KAICIID has been closely involved with the G20 Interfaith Forum since 2017, providing support for past summits. At this year’s event, which aligns closely with KAICIID’s mandate, the Centre will emphasize the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation across diverse communities. This will be achieved through the active engagement of its Fellows alumni from Latin America in sessions and Open Forum workshops.

PaRD’s Contribution: The International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) will leverage its vast network of religious and civil society organizations to emphasize the pivotal role of faith-based actors in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PaRD’s involvement ensures that religious perspectives are integrated into the broader development agenda, fostering inclusive and sustainable solutions.

IF20’s Contribution: The G20 Interfaith Forum, as a premier forum for international economic cooperation, brings a wealth of expertise and influence to the event, enhancing its global significance. By engaging with diverse stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and religious communities, the IF20 fosters a holistic approach to addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges, such as sustainable development, social inclusion, and climate change.

Institutional Engagement Overview

Sunday, 18 August: KAICIID’s activities for the week will commence with the Fellows Regional Meeting and Celebration, the first in a series of regional celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the International Fellows Programme in 2025. The day will be spent conducting a needs assessment of the Latin American region, engaging in a panel discussion with Religions for Peace Latin America, and presenting KAICIID’s intended programmatic outreach in the region with listening sessions led by Fellows.

The day will conclude with a celebratory dinner hosted by the Secretary General, engaging representatives of our partners and stakeholders participating in the Annual Forum. This event will open the celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of the Fellows Programme and launch the Centre’s programmatic outreach to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Monday, 19 August: KAICIID will participate in the General Assembly of Members of the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD). This assembly is a critical platform for discussing and shaping the collaborative efforts of global leaders and organizations committed to leveraging religious and cultural insights to advance sustainable development goals.

The second day of the Fellows Regional Meeting and Celebration will focus on the Fellows Programme itself, engaging the Fellows in an evaluation and visioning process for the future of the Programme.

Tuesday, 20 August to Thursday, 22 August: During these days, KAICIID will be deeply involved in the IF20 and PaRD Annual Forum. This year's forum, co-organized under the theme “Leave No One Behind: The Well-Being of the Planet and Its People,” will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to address pressing global challenges through dialogue and partnership.

Wednesday, 21 August: KAICIID will take center stage at the Open Forum, engaging in a critical discussion on “The Role of Interreligious Dialogue (IRD) in Fostering Peace and Sustainable Development in Latin America: Addressing Food Security and Social Inequality through Partnership-Based Approaches.” This session, conducted in Portuguese, will highlight KAICIID's expertise in using interreligious dialogue as a tool for addressing critical issues such as food security and social inequality in the region. Additionally, KAICIID Fellow Daniela Chavez from Argentina, representing Christianity and the General Directorate of Worship in the Government of Salta Province, is scheduled to speak at Concurrent Session C3 on the theme “Religion, Civility, and Healing Polarization.” This session will explore the role of religious dialogue in bridging divides and promoting social cohesion, with Chavez contributing insights from her extensive experience in interfaith work in Latin America.

Friday, 23 August: KAICIID's engagement will culminate with participation in the PaRD Leadership Meeting. This meeting will serve as a strategic forum for leadership discussions on advancing the objectives of PaRD and exploring new avenues for collaboration among member organizations.

Celebrating a Decade of Interfaith Leadership

The KAICIID International Fellows Programme, launched in 2015, is the oldest programme of the Centre. Over the past decade, it has trained nearly 550 Fellows from 92 countries. The Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Programme will take place through a series of regional meetings from August 2024 to December 2025, culminating in a virtual global forum.

The PaRD/IF20 Annual Forum presents an opportunity to launch this series of regional meetings and celebrations, as well as to initiate KAICIID’s programmatic expansion to Latin America and the Caribbean. This milestone will be marked by sharing successes, challenges, and a needs assessment for religions and interreligious dialogue in Latin America, as well as by reviewing, evaluating, and envisioning the future of the Programme by the Fellows themselves.

Forum Key Activities and Highlights

Joint Sessions and Panels: Interactive sessions and panel discussions focusing on the role of dialogue in addressing global challenges and promoting sustainable development, featuring leaders and experts who work at the interface of religion and policy.

Workshops and Roundtables: Collaborative workshops and roundtable discussions designed to develop actionable strategies for peacebuilding and interreligious cooperation, drawing on the collective expertise of key national, regional, and international actors.