Dear Friends, 

This May, we continue to celebrate the continued work of the Religions For Peace movement across the globe, from interreligious action in Cambodia, Nigeria, Albania, peace education in Japan, a major multi-faith summit in Pakistan, and Indigenous leadership.

We are looking ahead with great anticipation to the 2026 International Council Meeting, "Forging Pathways for Shared Sacred Flourishing", taking place in Mauritius from 23-25 June. The Shared Sacred Flourishing framework can be explored further on our new webpage. This gathering comes at an important moment for the world, as communities face overlapping crises that call for moral clarity, renewed cooperation, and shared responsibility. Through thematic dialogues on artificial intelligence; climate, conflict, and debt relief; and multilateralism, religious leaders will reflect on how to shape responses rooted in dignity, justice, and care for our common future.



This issue also features a timely column on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), reminding us that its continued weakening must not go unnoticed. For decades, the NPT has helped guide the world toward the elimination of nuclear arms. Today, as that commitment faces growing strain, faith communities must help raise the alarm. 

Together, these stories remind us that religious and faith actors continue to bring moral leadership to questions of peace, justice, and care for our shared world. 

In peace, 

Dr. Francis Kuria

Secretary General

The Religions for Peace 2026 International Council Meeting: Moral Leadership Now More than Ever

The Religions for Peace International Council prepares to meet on 23-25 June 2026 in Mauritius. This gathering aims to mobilize global faith leadership toward a “whole-of-society” approach, focusing on the intersection of human dignity and emerging challenges like artificial intelligence, climate change and debt relief, and institutional mistrust. By centering the relational well-being of humanity and the planet, the meeting aims to forge actionable pathways for peace and social cohesion.

The Moral Courage to Disarm: A Faith Perspective on the 2026 NPT Review Conference

After a month of discussions, the Eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) concluded without adopting a final consensus document. Rev. Masamichi Kamiya, Senior Advisor for the Asian Conference of Religions for Peace (ACRP), who delivered a statement to the delegates, offers his assessment.

Amplifying Indigenous Voices: Insights from the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Religions for Peace sat down with two prominent Indigenous leaders at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Mr. Darío Mejía Montalvo and Dr. Myrna Cunningham, who offered critical insights on the real-world realities behind the UN’s policy frameworks.

Trustee Spotlight: Dr. Aruna Oswal's Candle of Hope

In a world fractured by societal and religious divisions, finding a path toward mutual support can feel like a daunting task. Yet, for Dr. Aruna Oswal, a deeply devoted trustee of Religions for Peace for nearly three decades, the answer is remarkably clear: we must stop simply speaking about peace and start collectively doing the work to build it.

Peace and Reconciliation Facilitators Build Greater Compassion and Care in Japan

Religious leaders, university and graduate students, staff of NGOs and civil society practitioners completed training as facilitators in peace and reconciliation in late April – the third cohort of trainees in the program that has been implemented by Religions for Peace Japan since 2017.

Indian Ocean Island Nations Forge Concrete Roadmap for Action at Fourth Regional Symposium

Island states of the Indian Ocean approved a new action plan after convening in Mauritius for their fourth symposium – the first such gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Religious Leaders Mobilize to Address Ebola Emergency

Religious leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda have mobilised intensively to support Ebola awareness and prevention efforts, as health authorities work to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

Religions for Peace and UNICEF Expand Partnership for Child Health and Protection

Religions for Peace and UNICEF have announced a major expansion of their global partnership to protect vulnerable children and advance community health across Africa and South Asia. This scaled-up program builds upon the successful Faith and Positive Change for Children, Families and Communities (FPCC) initiative. By mobilizing diverse, multi-faith networks, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between national child protection laws and grassroots realities.

Insights and Perspectives on the Critical Roles Women of Faith Play in Addressing Societal Violence

At the 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women, Religions for Peace brought together religious leaders, experts and women of faith to discuss how to leverage their powerful influence and abilities in addressing societal violence. Watch two videos that summarize the outcomes of these discussions.

Multi-Religious Effort in Mexico Confronts Violence Against Women and Forges Safe Spaces

More than 40 religious leaders, academics, and practitioners gathered in Mexico City in late May for, “Encounter of Women of Faith for the Prevention of Violence,” a capacity-building and strategic training session, part of the Religions for Peace Lifting Voices, Leading Change initiative supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.