General secretary of the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC), Gerard Granado served as a delegate at the VIIIth World Assembly of the World Conference of Religions for Peace held in Kyoto, Japan from August 26-29. 

More than 500 senior religious leaders from across the globe and diverse traditions assembled for the gathering, which took place under the theme Religions for Peace: Confronting Violence and Advancing Shared Security.

Gerard Granado

Among the hopes of the World Conference of Religions for Peace were consensus building among religions on issues of shared concern, working with religious leaders from areas of conflict and forging partnerships with civil society, inter-governmental organisations, and key governmental bodies.

The Assembly elected the International Inter-religious Council, the world’s most representative multi-religious body charged with broad implementation of the outcomes of the VIIIth World Assembly.

The World Conference of Religions for Peacehas played a crucial role in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid – and it continues its work today, bringing together in more than 50 countries diverse religious leaders and believers who are committed to stopping conflicts and building peace.

The efforts of the Conference have been applauded by many faith leaders, among them The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, the late Pope John Paul II and Dr Mohammed Sayed Tantawi, Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar

The Conference of Religions for Peace is the world’s largest network of inter-religious councils (IRCs) and groups committed to advancing cooperation among the world’s religious communities to transform conflict, build peace and advance sustainable development.

These objectives are consistent with those of the CCC’s as it seeks to realise its mandate of social transformation.