Global Conferences on World's Religions after September 11
| Company type | Conference series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Religion, Human rights, Interfaith dialogue |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
Area served | International |
Key people | Shirin Ebadi, Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Bishop Belo, Elie Wiesel |
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in 2001, religious and scholarly figures convened conferences in Montreal during 2006, 2011, and 2016 to challenge the unfavorable association between religion and Islamic fundamentalism. The goal of these gatherings was to emphasize religion’s capacity to serve as a positive influence and to work toward formulating a "Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions."
Overview of the conferences
Following the events of 9/11, religion became linked with extremist violence, casting it in a negative light. Scholars and religious leaders alike contended that this perception obstructed a balanced understanding of religion’s significant role in human affairs—one that can either contribute to societal well-being or cause harm. They argued that reducing religion solely to a source of evil was both historically misleading and harmful.
To counter this narrative, a series of international conferences was initiated with the purpose of promoting religion’s beneficial impact and advancing the creation of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions.
The inaugural global conference took place from September 11 to 15, 2006, and was officially opened by Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Madam Shirin Ebadi. The event posed the central inquiry: "Can religion be a force for good?"
The second gathering occurred on September 4, 2011, with Nobel Peace laureate the Dalai Lama delivering the opening address under the theme: "Peace through religion."
The third conference convened on September 15, 2016, at Montreal’s Palais des Congrès, focusing on "From Faith to Interfaith."
Each of these three conferences concentrated on advancing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions—a project originating in Montreal in 1998 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Significance of these conferences – Religion’s role in human rights discourse
The interplay between global religions and human rights has been a subject of debate since the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. Two primary viewpoints characterize this debate. One perceives religions critically, noting that their beliefs and practices sometimes conflict with human rights standards. The other regards religions as essential contributors to the evolution of human rights, providing profound perspectives that support human dignity and development.
This affirmative stance is evident in several faith-based human rights declarations, including:
- Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), dated June 23, 1963
- Declaration on Judaism and Human Rights, ratified in Montreal on April 23, 1974
- a) Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed September 19, 1981; b) The Dhaka Declaration of Human Rights in Islam, issued in 1983; c) The Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam, established August 5, 1990; d) The Arab Charter on Human Rights, adopted May 22, 2004
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the Hindus, dated June 27, 1999
While these documents reflect individual religious traditions’ approaches to human rights, the three aforementioned conferences represent a coordinated effort to produce a collective response from diverse world religions regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This endeavor seeks to develop a Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions and enjoys patronage from five Nobel Peace laureates: the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Madam Shirin Ebadi, Bishop Belo of Timor Leste, and Professor Elie Wiesel.
References
- Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's Religions, Georgetown University
- Abrahim H. Khan and Gregory Baum, A Universal Declaration of Human Rights by World Religions: Basis and Problems, Revue Quebecoise de Droit International, 1998
- Gerrie ter Haar and James J. Busutil (eds.), Bridge Or Barrier: Religion, Violence, and Visions for Peace, Brill, 2005
- Arvind Sharma, The World's Religions After September 11, Praeger Perspectives, 2009
- Arvind Sharma, Windows to the World's Religions: Selected Proceedings of the Global Congress on the World's Religions After September 11, D.K. Printworld Ltd., 2009
- Arvind Sharma and Madhu Khanna (eds.), Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11, Praeger, 2013