FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Religions for Peace International, Religions for Peace Japan, and the United Nations
Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) to Host “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: The
Second Multi-Religious Peace Roundtable”
8 February 2024, New York City: Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan, withthe support of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), proudly announce theconvening of the second “Beyond War and Toward Reconciliation: Multi-Religious Peace
Roundtables”, scheduled to take place from 19-21 February 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. Building on thesuccess of the inaugural Roundtable in 2022, this event will bring together diverse religious and faithleaders, policymakers, and policy experts in a collaborative effort to explore innovative approaches toeffective peacebuilding and discuss the impact of interfaith actions on global challenges.
The Tokyo Peace Roundtable series serves as a crucial platform for fostering dialogue andcollaboration among nations for global peace and stability. Against the backdrop of ongoing violent
conflicts worldwide, the urgent need for new and renewed approaches to peacebuilding, led by multireligious organisations and diverse religious leaders, remains vital and clear. This conference will focus
on new strategies while building on past successes, emphasising the urgency of addressing global
challenges and the unique role of faith actors.
Religions for Peace International and Religions for Peace Japan have set clear objectives for the Roundtable.
These include identifying and assessing the specific roles that leaders from diverse faith traditions
fulfill in war-torn and humanitarian contexts. The event will also evaluate various strategies employedby multi-religious platforms in reconciliation and rebuilding social cohesion efforts, with a focus onassessing the unique contributions of interreligious dialogue and action in forgiveness andreconciliation. The overarching aim is to glean valuable insights and lessons that can inform theprocess of effectively (re)building socially cohesive environments.
Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General and Director of Programmes, Religions for Peace notesthat “The urgency for multi-religious action has never been more apparent. In a world grappling withcomplex challenges, the Tokyo Peace Roundtable provides a vital space for religious leaders to uniteand discuss shared values and collective responsibility for global peace.” Rev. Dr. Yoshinori
Shinohara, Secretary General, Religions for Peace Japan, echoes Ms. Singh’s sentiments and says, “At theTokyo Peace Roundtable, we will witness the convergence of faiths and an acknowledgement that
our strength lies in unity. Multi-religious collaboration is not an option but a necessity, transcending
differences to forge a path toward a world where peace is the common language spoken by all.” Mr.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC,
emphasised the importance of interfaith dialogue. “We are delighted to support the Roundtable as aplatform for diverse religious perspectives to address global challenges. Religious leaders and faithbased organisations play an important role in cultivating mutual respect and building bridges between
and among their communities. It is important now more than ever to promote spaces like this andspark collaborative action towards the shared values of peace, compassion, and unity.”_______________________________________________For media inquiries and interview scheduling, please contact:Ms. Sohaa Khan, Media and Communications Specialist, Religions for Peace at skhan@rfp.org and Ms. Hiroyo Murayama,Media and Communications Officer, Religions for Peace Japan at h.murayama@wcrp.or.jp. For general inquiries, pleaseemail tokyopeaceroundtable@rfp.org.

Journalists are invited to attend the Tokyo Peace Roundtable either in person in Tokyo or virtually
via Zoom. Exclusive interview opportunities with key participants are available, and journalists areencouraged to set up interviews in advance. Sensitivity and respect for participants’ privacy, as some
may have reservations about interviews or prefer not to disclose their identities publicly, are to benoted.
About the organisers:

Religions for Peace, founded in 1970, is the world’s oldest, largest, and most representative multireligious movement, encompassing senior-most religious leaders to grassroots and community level
leaders. Led by nearly 100 leaders from different faiths, representing an estimated 6.4 billion people
in approximately 100 countries and 6 regions, Religions for Peace drives effective interfaith cooperation
on global, regional, national, and local levels to advance peace for people and the planet. At theintersections of all faiths and Indigenous traditions, Religions for Peace stands strong, ready to lead theway to a future where unity reigns supreme, and the promise of peace is realised for people and theplanet. For more information, please visit our website: www.rfp.org.

Religions for Peace (RfP) Japan was established in 1972 as a committee for the international issues

supported by Japanese Association of Religious Organisations. Religions for Peace Japan is comprised ofdelegates from Shintoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and newer religious organisations who meetto discuss and practice cooperation for peace, public awareness activities and proposals, peaceeducation and humanitarian contributions. Religions for Peace Japan works together in the Peace
Research Institute – whose members are scholars of varied religious backgrounds – as well as women’sand youth groups. It also has the support of those who belong to or appreciate the religious
communities represented in its membership. Each of these groups is playing a distinct role in
implementing the various projects and activities of Religions for Peace Japan. For more information,please visit our website: www.wcrp.or.jp/en/.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations entity that builds
bridges between societies, promotes dialogue and understanding, and seeks to forge the collective
political will required to accomplish these tasks. UNAOC works as a convener and facilitator to bringall sectors of society together to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue to diminish
hostility, and promote mutual respect and harmony among the people and cultures of the world. Led
by Under-Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for UNAOC, the Alliancemaintains a global network of partners, including states, international and regional organizations, civilsociety groups, foundations, and the private sector, to improve cross-cultural relations between diverse
nations and communities. For more information, please visit www.unaoc.org.

_______________________________________________For media inquiries and interview scheduling, please contact:
Ms. Sohaa Khan, Media and Communications Specialist, Religions for Peace at skhan@rfp.org and Ms. Hiroyo Murayama,Media and Communications Officer, Religions for Peace Japan at h.murayama@wcrp.or.jp. For general inquiries, pleaseemail tokyopeaceroundtable@rfp.org.