Palestinian children gather aid food at Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: AFP file
The Sixth Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC) is set to occur next week – from November 19-21, in Abu Dhabi. Organized by Arigatou International and hosted by the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities (IAFSC), the event aims to engage religious communities and key stakeholders in addressing the urgent and enduring challenges faced by children globally. Millions of children are grappling with hunger, abuse, and violence on an unprecedented scale, exacerbated by armed conflict, poverty, and climate change. One in four children are at risk of life-threatening malnutrition, while one in six children grow up in conflict zones. A recent UN report highlights a concerning rise in violence against minors, with millions of children worldwide experiencing physical, sexual, and psychological abuse both online and offline.
The GNRC, an initiative of Arigatou International, is the world's largest interfaith network dedicated to safeguarding children's rights and well-being. The GNRC Sixth Forum, themed: The Child is Calling: Interfaith Cooperation to Build a Hopeful World for Children, will amplify children's voices and rights while uniting diverse stakeholders to create a safe, secure, and sustainable world for children.
"Despite the grim realities around us, our faith in the power of unity, hope, and faith remains unshaken. By working together through dialogue and prayer, we can build a safe, secure, and sustainable world for all children," said Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, President of Arigatou International and Convenor of the GNRC.
The Forum will emphasize intergenerational dialogue and interfaith cooperation, featuring in-depth discussions and interactive panels with world faith leaders, UN representatives, government and non-governmental organizations, youth, children, and other stakeholders. Participants will assess progress since the GNRC Fifth Forum in 2017 and commit to transforming a crisis-ridden world into one that is safe, secure, and sustainable.
A child observes mourners at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis following the deaths of Palestinians in Israeli strikes. Photo: Reuters file
Abu Dhabi was selected as the host city due to the UAE's global role in promoting tolerance and peaceful coexistence. This choice also underscores the UAE's dedication to fostering values of tolerance, understanding, and its leadership in international cooperation, conflict resolution, and global peace and security.
Day one will focus on creating a safe world for children, discussing topics such as the dignity of children in the digital age, the role of families and collaborative communities, and pathways to building resilience and mental health amid global shocks, crises, and pandemics. Day two will center on building a secure world, addressing the roots of conflicts, xenophobia, hate crimes, and extremism, stakeholder involvement in conflict resilience, the impact of conflict on children, and creating a peaceful and inclusive world for and with children.
"With the recent tragic events involving children unfolding globally, there could be no more fitting theme or appropriate venue for religious and secular leaders to gather and catalyze action to prevent the senseless killing of children," said Kul Gautam, Chairman of the Sixth Forum International Organizing Committee.
"Now more than ever, faith communities and governments must collaborate to ensure children's safety and well-being. Our goal is to foster dialogue with faith leaders and children, highlighting the crucial roles of families, governments, multilateral and international organizations, and the broader community in protecting children. We are developing a program that will not only generate concrete ideas to restore hope and build a better world for children but also ensure these ideas are implemented immediately after the Forum," said Dana Humaid, President of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities.
The final day will explore building a sustainable world, covering responsible lifestyles, hunger, child poverty, and inequality, ethical values and education for sustainable development, and climate-conscious stewardship. The Forum will conclude with the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration and a joint Plan of Action.
Since its inception nearly 25 years ago, GNRC programs have impacted approximately 100 million people globally. At least 40 million were reached through programs addressing the 10 Panama Commitments to End Violence Against Children launched at the Fifth Forum in 2017.
About 600 participants, including 100 children, are expected to attend the GNRC Sixth Forum in person. The event will also be broadcast via GNRC's various media channels.
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