Interfaith Unity: Transforming Lives of Children and Families Together

In by mrdesmond

“When we come together, not as separate faiths, but as one humanity, we unlock the power to transform lives and build a better future for our children.” – Dr. Chintamani Yogi, Hindu Scholar, Nepal  In observance of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, the webinar titled Interfaith Unity: Transforming Lives of Children and Families Together was organized to foster dialogue among faith leaders and development practitioners. The event aimed to explore the role of interfaith collaboration in enhancing child well-being and family resilience, showcasing impactful initiatives and emphasizing the influence of faith actors in driving social and behavioral change. Event Objectives Highlight successful interfaith collaborations addressing child vulnerability and family well-being.​ Provide a platform for multi-faith dialogue and knowledge-sharing.​ Introduce the Asia Pacific Faith-Based Coalition for Sustainable Development (APFC) and its mission.​ Inspire actionable commitments among faith communities and development practitioners. Key Highlights  Opening Remarks The webinar commenced with a welcome by Cherian Thomas, Regional Leader of World Vision South Asia & Pacific, setting the stage for an enriching discussion on the significance of interfaith engagement in development work in the region. Impact Video: Sri Lanka’s Celebrating Families Program A compelling video presentation from World Vision Sri Lanka showcased the impact of World Vision’s Celebrating Families initiative, highlighting how faith leaders of different faiths play a pivotal role in fostering safe, nurturing environments for children, through living family relationships Panel Discussion: The Role of Interfaith Collaboration in Transforming Lives Moderated by a World Vision representative, the panel featured distinguished faith leaders and experts: Lanieta Leo (Christian Care Centre, Solomon Islands): Spoke on faith-based responses to child protection. Dr. Chintamani Yogi (Hindu scholar, NIRN Nepal): Emphasized values-based education as a tool for social transformation. Venerable Jewaheta Susantha Bhikkuni (International Buddhist College, Sri Lanka): Discussed the Buddhist perspective on compassion-driven community engagement, and her own experience of being a teacher in a Budhhist college. Ejaz Ur Rehman (UNICEF SBCC Specialist, Pakistan): Addressed faith actors’ role in shaping social behavioural norms for child rights and protection. Key Discussion Points: Faith as a Unifying Force: Panelists underscored how faith leaders transcend religious boundaries to collectively address children issues of dignity and well-being Behavioral and Social Change: Faith leaders serve as moral authorities, influencing attitudes toward gender equality, child protection, and positive parenting. Interfaith Collaboration in Action: Case studies from different countries demonstrated successful multi-faith partnerships tackling pressing social issues. Challenges and Opportunities: Panelists acknowledged challenges such as theological differences and cultural sensitivities but shared practical strategies for overcoming these barriers. Launch of the Asia Pacific Faith-Based Coalition (APFC) A key milestone of the event was the introduction of APFC, a regional coalition committed to: Strengthening faith-based action in sustainable development. Fostering partnerships between faith actors and development organizations. Advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable children and families. Closing Remarks and Call to Action Cherian Thomas delivered the closing statement, urging participants to continue fostering interfaith harmony through action-oriented collaboration. Attendees were encouraged to: Build Local Faith Networks – Engage in interfaith initiatives at the grassroots level. Strengthen Faith-Based Leadership – Equip faith leaders with the necessary knowledge and tools to advocate for social change. Amplify the Voices of Children and Families – Use faith platforms to promote policies and initiatives that uplift vulnerable communities. Key Takeaways of the event Interfaith collaboration strengthens community resilience – By working together, faith leaders can create lasting and sustainable impact in areas such as child protection and social justice. Faith leaders are essential agents of change – Their moral and social influence allows them to shift harmful practices and promote values of dignity and respect. Interfaith dialogue must be action-driven – Beyond discussion, faith groups must engage in concrete programs that improve community well-being The Interfaith Unity: Transforming Lives of Children and Families Together webinar was a testament to the power of faith-based collaboration in addressing complex social issues. By fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and mobilizing faith actors, the event contributed to advancing the vision of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week. The momentum generated by this gathering must continue, ensuring that interfaith harmony translates into meaningful, transformative action for the most vulnerable members of society.