First Prize Winner 2023
Ethiopia Interfaith Forum for Development Dialogue and Action (EIFDDA)
Ethiopia
Report 32 – Interfaith Youth Peace Conference https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/view-reports/?report=73084
Report 57 – Interreligious Harmony and Peace Dialogue
https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/view-reports/?report=73464
Ethiopia has been facing various challenges including intra-religious intolerance which is leading to increased instances of violent confrontation. There is an increase in interreligious violence in areas across the country including violence targeting the construction of specific places of worship or during religious celebrations and there is also limited interaction between different faith group’s that fuels mistrust and other many problems.
On February 4th 2023, over 500 faith and non-faith youths were gathered to commemorate World Interfaith Harmony Week, at DebreZeit City, Ethiopia. Youth panellists presented papers on the role of religion on peacebuilding and using interfaith youths as peacebuilders in their communities through collaboration. Agreement was reached to establish Peace Clubs in various schools and faith structures found at grassroots for sustained youth dialogue and capacity building initiatives.
On February 3rd, 2023, a one day “Interreligious Peace and Harmony Dialogue” was undertaken for observing #WorldInterfaithHarmonyWeek in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Over 40 faith and traditional belief leaders including Orthodox, Muslim, Protestant, Catholic as well as traditional leaders (Aba Gedas) attended. Participants vowed to work together in Harmony for resolving community conflicts and in building sustainable peace in their localities. The event was instrumental for assessing interfaith relationships and identifying issues among the community, and devising local solutions working together with mutual respect for promoting FoRB and Interfaith Relationship among the divided communities
“Not only tolerance and understanding among ourselves, but we have to work in Harmony for having peaceful community and country”, a religious leader said during the event.
