TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .
A press release received by email from the European Council of Religious Leaders
On the 7 and 8 May 2018, Senior Religious Leaders from many different countries and Religious traditions across Europe will be meeting together in Budapest, Hungary.
The European Council of Religious Leaders is the most representative interreligious council in Europe and is part of the global Religions for Peace network. Though the European Council of Religious Leaders was established in 2002, this will be the first time they will meet in Hungary.
(click on image to enlarge)
The council draws on the spiritual, ethical and moral wisdom and resources of the world’s great religious traditions and leaders in order to support the building of peace, social harmony and security throughout Europe and the wider world. In Hungary the council will be discussing the role of multi-religious cooperation in social cohesion and human security.
(continued in right column)
How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?
(continued from left column)
It is evident that the changing political, social and demographic dynamics in contemporary Europe present some of the biggest challenges for a generation to European citizens, communities and governments. Religions role in many of these challenges is often ambiguous: for example it is often implicated in extremism, but is also a vital positive resource in welcoming the increasing numbers of migrants into European community. The symposium will explore how religion might support and enhance efforts to break down negative stereotypes, create unanimity where deep division currently exists, and contributing to safe, peaceful and cohesive societies and communities in Europe today.
The European Council of Religious Leaders’ representatives from many different countries and religions, will also work together to distribute hundreds of plates of hot lunch, and dry food though participation in a major free food distribution event for those in need in Budapest.
The council will be meeting with a number of religious representatives from Hungary during their visit. The delegation will include the renowned theologian and former politician Bishop Gunnar Stalsett, the distinguished Sikh spiritual leader, Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh, the award-winning human rights advocate, lecturer, writer and environmental activist Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, and His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, European Orthodoxy’s most prominent advocate for peace and dialogue.
The European Council of Religious Leaders (ECRL) brings together senior religious leaders from Europe’s historical religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam together with Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Zoroastrians. ECRL is one of five regional Interreligious Councils within the Religions for Peace global network. Religions for Peace – accredited to the United Nations – is the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition advancing common action for peace since 1970.
More information: www.ecrl.eu.
Media Contact:
Thomas Flügge, Media Relations, tf@bildwort.com
Rebecca Bellamy, Secretariat Management, secretariat@ecrl.eu