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Eritrean asylum seekers pray before meal at a church-run shelter in Freudenstadt, Germany. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC

Eritrean asylum seekers pray before meal at a church-run shelter in Freudenstadt, Germany. Photo: Paul Jeffrey/WCC

An interreligious conference exploring religion and migration was hosted from 27-30 January in Sweden by Religions for Peace co-president and Church of Sweden Archbishop Dr Antje Jackelén.

Jackelén debuted an initiative, “A World of Neighbours,"aimed at strengthening interreligious relations between faith-based actors working with and for “people on the move” – migrants and refugees – in Europe.

The initiative seeks to build the capacity of multi-stakeholder actors working on behalf of migrants and refugees by making their work more visible and fostering networks and connections between them. The initiative also allows the interreligious community to voice its ethical, moral and humanitarian concern for refugees in Europe.

A World of Neighbours is an initiative of the Church of Sweden with the aim of defending democratic values, promoting social and existential sustainability, and nurturing peaceful coexistence in Europe.

“It is an important vision for us as human beings,” said Jackelén. “If we do not live in a world where we have a certain confidence, then we become a world of enemies.”

Church of Sweden