G20 INTERFAITH SUMMIT- 2023
Shaping World Peace and Sustainable Development through Interfaith Harmony
Introduction
The world is grappling with deeply interconnected crises, including violent conflicts, widening inequality, the ongoing climate crisis, and diminishing trust in global and local public institutions. These challenges demand new leadership that embraces an ethical and pragmatic vision, informed by both global and local insights, to ensure comprehensive engagement across sectors. In response to these urgent needs, the G20 Interfaith Forum, in collaboration with MIT-World Peace University and the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, is organizing a G20 Interfaith Summit. These gatherings will identify the crucial issues for the 2023 agenda while reflecting on the G20 Interfaith Forum's journey since 2014 in engaging with global agendas through the G20 process. The summit will be held at the World Peace Dome in Pune, commencing with a reception on September 4th, followed by Forum sessions on September 5th and 6th. At the core of the summit lies a dedicated focus on the urgent calls to action from the world's most vulnerable communities. Notably, the summit will address the challenges faced by children, who have endured losses and new obstacles due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as those confronted by inequalities and disruptions linked to climate change. Underpinning the entire event is the primary theme of fostering hope for a better future. The summit will bring together a distinguished group of leaders deeply engaged in the religious dimensions of global debates, ranging from socio-economic crises to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The forum will emphasize tangible action steps that can be taken within the G20 process, highlighting the transformative power of interfaith collaboration.
G20 INTERFAITH SUMMIT- 2023
Expected Outcomes
The Forum will offer a platform for faith leaders, representatives of faith-based organizations, government officials, international organizations and civil society, and academics with relevant expertise, to come together to share experiences and provide added emphasis to suggestions identified throughout the year in preparation for the G20 Summit that is being held in New Delhi shortly after the G20 Interfaith Forum concludes. As the culminating event following preliminary events organized throughout the year, the G20 Interfaith Forum will form the basis for global advocacy efforts supportive of G20 Summit outcomes and continuing into coming years.
Topics
The Forum will focus on specific global topics, including:
o A child-centered vision for the 2020s
o Galvanizing action to mobilize resources for recovery and social protection
o Assets, risks, and ethics that the Artificial Intelligence revolution presents to communities
o Post-COVID action: pandemic preparedness and health system reform
o Food security
o Urgent humanitarian and peacebuilding action
o Protection of religious and cultural heritage
o Action on Climate Change
o Revamping education in a post-COVID-19 era
o Making sure that the most vulnerable are not left behind
Event Structure & Target Audience
Spread over two and one-half days, the event will consist of plenary sessions as well as thematic break-out sessions. The event will also be made available to a broader global audience.
Target Audience
The Forum will be attended by over 2000 participants, including more than 100 expert speakers and presenters, participants, from India and abroad, including representatives of government institutions, international organizations, civil society, academia, and faith communities. The event aims to attract a diverse and inclusive audience, representative insofar as possible of the global population. Based on prior experience, a larger audience is expected to follow the event online.
