Religious Groups Gaining Higher Profile at UN

June 27, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Times-Herald

http://www.times-herald.com/religion/Religious-groups-gaining-higher-profile-at-UN--494185

The United Nations is working with religious groups in new ways.

What has changed, according to Hilario G. Davide, permanent representative of the Philippine Mission to the UN, and others, is the emergence of a new understanding that closer collaboration with religions is critical to a wide range of UN efforts, not only in development but also to the UN'S main mission of promoting peace and security.

"If we are to go over the statements of the more than 80 high-level personalities who attended the High-Level Dialogue on Interreligious and Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation for Peace (in October)," said Davide, "we will note that several speakers alluded to the importance for the interaction between the UN system and the faith communities in the discharge of the three pillars of the UN goals, namely, the promotion of peace, development and human dignity."

"One of the conclusions that could be drawn," he added, "is that the partnership between and among governments, the UN system and religious NGOs or faith communities is no longer an option but a necessity."

New initiatives are emerging from a wide range of issue areas, involving many UN bodies and agencies. One new element is a focus on practical steps beyond mere talk.