URI participated in the Kofi Annan UNGA Faith Briefings this year, which were attended by URI Executive Director The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian, Jr., and URI-Africa Director Mussie Hailu, who is also Global Envoy of URI and URI Representative to the United Nations in Nairobi, as well as other URI Cooperation Circle members and partners. The Kofi Annan UNGA Faith Briefing provide a dedicated space, during each annual United Nations General Assembly, to capitalize on the unique gathering of organizations well-versed in the intersections of religious affairs with sustainable development, human rights and peace and security, to inform, and be informed by, UN system engagements and deliberations.
The Kofi Annan UNGA Faith Briefings highlight the importance of strategic and innovative partnerships between the UN system entities and faith-based actors, such as URI. The themes of the briefings are in line with the debates and discussions of/at the UN General Assembly, in order to provide specific focus and updates around current and/or emerging joint initiatives undertaken by FBOs and UN entities.
Members of the UN Faith Advisory Council
Agenda of the 2018 Kofi Annan UNGA Faith Briefings
14:00 - 14:03 – Welcome
14:03 – 14:30 - Opening Roundtable DEBATE between governmental, intergovernmental and FBOs:
‘Is the United Nations Relevant to All People? How have we either honored, or failed, global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies?’
Speakers:
- Mr. Adama Dieng, United Nations Secretary General’s Special Advisor on Prevention of Genocide
- Ms. Tarja Kantola, Chair (Finn Church Aid) and Co-Chair, UN Faith Based Advisory Council
- Ambassador Mussie Hailu, URI Representative to the African Union
- Mr. Faisal Bin Muammar, Secretary General, KAICIID
- Ambassador Dr. Adonia Ayebare, Permanent Rep. Mission of Uganda to the UN
14:30 - 17:15 - Roundtable Discussions on:
14:15 – 15:15-- Making the United Nations system "more relevant" (and what does that mean to an FBO) {Moderator: Mr. Ayman Al-Muflih, Executive Director, Jordan Hashemite Charities Forum - JHCO}
Interventions from:
- Ms. Sadhviji Bhagawathi Saraswathi, Global Interfaith WASH Alliance
- Rev. Christo Greyling, World Vision
- Prof. Andrea Bartoli, Community of Sant Egidio
- Ms. Alison Kelly, ACT Alliance
- Ms. Debra Boudreaux, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation
- Dr. Naser Haghamad, Islamic Relief Worldwide/IRW
15:15 – 16:15 – Adding value to ongoing efforts by governments, other civil society entities towards realizing more "equitable and sustainable societies". {Moderator: Mr Nicolas Pron, Senior Advisor, Partnerships - UNICEF}
Interventions from:
- Ambassador Kai Sauer, Mission of Finland to the UN
- Dr. Mohammed El-Sanoussi, Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers
- Rev. Victor Kazanjian, United Religions Initiative
- Rev. Dennis Frado, Lutheran World Federation/LWF
- Mr. Gopal Patel, Bunmi Project
- Dr. Mustafa Ali, Arrigatou
URI Executive Director The Rev. Victor H. Kazanjian, Jr. speaks at the briefing.
16:15 – 16:30 - Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:30 -- Identifying the current strengths and weaknesses of UN-FBO partnerships which both contribute to, and prevent the realization of "peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies” {Moderator: Mr. Guido Bertucci, Director - Governance Solutions International}
Interventions from:
- Ambassador Alvaro Albacete, KAICIID
- Rev. Mark Fowler, Tanenbaum
- Ms. Jean Duff, JLI/LFC
- Rev. Douglas Leonard, World Council of Churches/WCC
- Adventist Development and Relief Agency/ADRA
17:30 – 18:00 – Concluding Narratives {Moderator – Ms. Lopa Banerjee, Director, Civil Society Division - UN Women}
Summary and reflections from UN Task Force Members,
Discussion with Advisory Council Members and larger FBOs present
Wrap Up.
18:30 - Advisory Council Members' Dinner and Discussion (Theme and Venue to be announced)
* Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation.
