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World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca shared greetings with a conference on “Empowering Youth for Peace through Interreligious cooperation, education and humanitarian action.”

The conference was held in conjunction with the 39th International Day of Peace.

“In a multi-religious world we can only be architects of peace together,” said Sauca. “Therefore, today, more than ever there is need for people of different faith orientations to come together to build a peaceful world.”

Sauca reflected that one important understanding of peace that Christianity shares with other religious traditions is the idea of peace as shalom - the flourishing of right relationships – with God, with fellow human beings and with the entire creation. “This concept of peace implies more than the mere cessation of conflict and tension,” he said. “It is a restorative understanding of peace with a holistic dimension.”

It is time for people of faith to recognise our interconnectedness  and assume planetary responsibility to serve and heal the post-COVID-19 world. “One of the biggest challenges to building a just and peaceful world is the under-representation of youth and the under-utilisation of their potential in peacebuilding,” said Sauca. “Lack of youth presence and participation in peace processes can erode the integrity and sustainability of our peacebuilding efforts.”

Video: Greeting by Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca

WCC work on Strengthening inter-religious trust and respect

WCC member churches in Germany