“This
age of globalization needs enlightened people in each faith who can examine their
sacred writings and traditions and identify the aspects that can benefit all
humanity as well as those that preserve each religion's identity. UPF and its
network of Ambassadors for Peace celebrate this week each year, in a way that
encourages understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths
for the well-being of our communities and peace in the world”
Supported by UNODC, the
Universal Peace Federation (UPF), UNCAV, the Coalition of Faith-Based
Organizations, Youth and Students for Peace, and the Women’s Federation for
World Peace organized an event commemorating the World Interfaith Harmony Week
on February 3rd 2023 in the VIC (UN building) in Vienna. 200 guests
attended the conference on the theme “Why Religions and Cultures in Dialogue matter for achieving the UN SDGs“.
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1st Session:
Why Religions and Cultures in Dialogue matter
Welcoming remarks: Peter Haider, President of UPF Austria
Moderator:
Dr. Afsar Rathor, former UN diplomat and president of LIOS-SOIL
Mr. Jean-Luc Lemahieu,
UNODC Director, Policy Analysis and Public Affairs
H.E. Dr. Haitham Abu Alfoul,
Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Austria
H.E. Dr. Eglantina
Gjermeni, Ambassador
of Albania to the International
Organizations in
Vienna
Prof. Dr.
Paul M. Zulehner, Theologian and Professor, Sociology
of Religion
Dr. Elmar
Kuhn, President, Coalition of Faith-Based Organizations
Dr. Katsumi Otsuka, Co-Chair Universal
Peace Federation Europe and Middle East
2nd Session: Interfaith and the United Nations SDGs
Moderator:
Dr. Farida Valiullina, UPF liaison UN Vienna office
Ms. Tatjana Christelbauer M.A., Agency
for Cultural Diplomacy Austria (Orange
Feather Dance meditation 4
peace) and Ms. Ursula Wagner (Tai-chi)
H.E. Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to
Austria
Prof. Dr.
Ille Gebeshuber, Institute of Applied Physics, Tech. University Vienna
Dr. Joshua
Sinclair, American
writer, filmmaker, actor and director, medical
doctor
Dr. Rahela Kaveer,
Chairwoman of World Hazara Council
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World Interfaith Harmony Week |
UPF is an NGO in General Consultative Status with the ECOSOC of the United Nations
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