G20 Interfaith Forum Association

“Expenses travel 5,373 bank fees 45 total 5,418”

“TRAVEL DEPOSIT 1,815 0”

“The purpose of the g20 interfaith forum association is to increase the vital roles that faith and religion play in promoting peaceful and harmonious relationships within and between nations by collaborating with religious thought leaders and policy makers to discuss global problems and their solutions.”

“The major focus of if20 during 2020 was on organization of the g20 interfaith forum which was held online from october 13-17, 2020. Organizing and running this event was a massive undertaking, including not only the final event itself, but months of preparatory meetings and planning. The forum was co-organized by four entities: the g20 interfaith forum association itself, the international dialogue centre (kaiciid), the united nations alliance of civilizations (unaoc) and the national committee for interfaith and intercultural dialogue in the kingdom of saudi arabia (ncird). There were major linkages to saudi arabia during 2020 because saudi arabia was the host country for the g20 summit in 2020. More than 2,000 individuals from 90 countries participated in the forum. 28% of participants joined from saudi arabia; 14% were from austria (home of kaiciid); and 12% joined from the united states. There were a total of 147 speakers representing 47 countries and a substantial diversity of religions. The diversity of backgrounds of participants also suggests the range of appeal of the if20s work. 22% of the audience consisted of religious leaders; 17% cam from faith-based organizations; 17% came from academia; 17% came from intergovernmental organizations (igos); 15% were policymakers; 6% were other types of experts; and 6% were from ngos. In addition to the forum in october, a number of regional meetings were arranged (for the most part via internet) which built up to the final forum. The if20 focused on identifying areas where voices from religious communities could provide significant insight regarding a range of issues, from freedom of religion or belief and other human rights focuses, to protection of sacred sites, to religious contributions to improving public health (including addressing the covid-19 pandemic), to improving education, to reducing various kinds of discrimination, etc. Organizing the g20 also involved a variety of communication efforts, including notably the if20 website. It is still possible to access information about the 2020 g20 interfaith forum at https://www.g20interfaith.org/saudi-arabia- 2020-new/ . Specific focus areas of the forum included work on refugees and forced migration, efforts to facilitate recovery from the covid-19 pandemic and its impacts, good governance, climate change, environmental protection, food insecurity, hate speech issues, problems of gender inequality, and sharing the benefits of technological advancement. The forum generated a number of practical recommendations conveyed specifically to g20 leaders for consideration in connection with the g20 summit, but also relevant more generally to the public. Without going into full detail, these fell into five broad areas: (1) addressing covid-19 emergencies; (2)advancing peace and resolving conflicts; (3) empowering people through development agendas that promote education, oppose corruption, empower women and reduce sstrucural inequality and racism; (4) taking common action to protect the planate; and (5) enhancing and elaborating religion-public sector synergies.”