Concept Note - G20 Interfaith Summit

The G20 Interfaith Summit, organized in partnership with MIT-World Peace Center, Alandi, Pune and the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities, aims to foster global peace and holistic development. Recognizing the profound interconnectedness of pressing crises such as violent conflicts, inequality, the climate crisis, and the erosion of trust in public institutions, the summit highlights the need for new leadership that combines an ethical and pragmatic vision with nuanced global and local insights, ensuring comprehensive engagement.

The summit has the following objectives: to promote a culture of peace by engaging religious leaders and faith-based organizations in meaningful dialogue, emphasizing their contributions to conflict resolution and peacebuilding; to address interlinked crises by identifying innovative approaches that integrate multiple sectors and stakeholders for sustainable solutions; to empower vulnerable communities, particularly children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those facing climate change-related inequalities, by amplifying their voices and addressing their unique challenges; and to foster hope for a better future by showcasing practical initiatives, successful case studies, and visionary ideas that inspire optimism and belief in the transformative power of interfaith collaboration.

Key activities include high-level dialogues involving religious leaders focused on global debates, panel discussions and workshops on peacebuilding, holistic development, climate change, and social justice, showcasing best practices and initiatives implemented within communities, and facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities among participants to address identified challenges.

The G20 Interfaith Summit at the World Peace Dome in Pune, India, presents a significant opportunity to promote global peace and holistic development. By convening religious leaders, experts, and practitioners, the summit seeks to address interconnected crises and pave the way for a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful future. Through a focus on vulnerable communities' urgent calls to action, the summit aims to empower those most affected by global challenges and inspire hope for a better tomorrow.

The G20 Interfaith Summit is a significant opportunity to promote the culture of peace and holistic development globally. By convening a diverse group of stakeholders and providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration, the summit can help to address the interconnected crises of our time and chart a path toward a more equitable, sustainable, and peaceful future.

Here are some specific objectives of the summit:

To foster a culture of peace by engaging religious leaders and faith-based organizations in meaningful dialogue, highlighting their contributions to conflict resolution, social cohesion, and peacebuilding efforts.
To address the interconnected crises of violent conflict, widening inequality, the climate crisis, and the erosion of trust in public institutions by identifying innovative approaches that integrate multiple sectors and stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions.
To empower vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on children affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic and those confronted by inequalities and disruptions linked to climate change.
To foster hope for a better future by showcasing practical initiatives, successful case studies, and visionary ideas.