Church and Society Co-Sponsored Global Futures Conference for Faith Leaders in New York City

Organized by The Interfaith Coalition Conference for Global Citizens (ICCGC), the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) and The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) co-sponsored a two-day conference that brought together over 300 global religious, faith and civil society leaders to address the critical issues of peace and sustainability.

Conference Opening Sets The Stage for Change and Action

Rev. Dr. Liberato Bautista, President of CoNGO and GBCS Assistant General Secretary for United Nations and International Affairs, welcomed the participants at the opening of the ICCGC-CONGO Global Futures Conference.

In his remarks, he stressed the urgent need to mobilize religious, faith and spiritual leaders who are “conversant with their faith and religious traditions and willing to work together within common platforms. Perhaps, creating a new set of skills that equip them to participate in platforms where visioning for just and peaceable future is no longer a religious franchise. It is the franchise of everyone. It’s not the franchise of the UN. It is the franchise of We the Peoples.”

The opening keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Irina Bokova, former Director-General of The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

In her address, Bokova envisioned a future shaped by the transformative power of education and emphasized that education should transcend mere knowledge transfer, serving as a catalyst for creating “a value system of respect, tolerance, solidarity, and empathy.”

Bokova also addressed the role of technology and its impact on global ethics. She noted the challenges of integrating values within digital platforms, cautioning that “Progress has no meaning if it only enables a few—if it doesn’t eliminate poverty, reduce inequalities, and protect the world we live in.”

Religion’s Role in a Peaceable Future

As the speaker panels commenced, participants engaged in the themes of global ethics and global citizenship education, dialogue between religious organizations and civil society, youth and climate action, and peacebuilding. Faith and civil society leaders repeatedly expressed the need for religion and spirituality to play an active role in ensuring a just and peaceable future.

Rev. Doyeon Park, Co-Chair of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN who moderated the panel “We Want Peace: How Can We Promote and Build Peace in Our World?”, described Won Buddhism’s teaching to become useful to others in society through the practical application of the teachings of Buddha, and not becoming “useless in the world by being Buddhist disciples.”

In the same panel, Garry Jacobs, the President and CEO of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), expressed optimism about achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs) by 2030.

Drawing on research, he remarked on the essential role that faith-based organizations can play in bridging this gap, encouraging religious institutions to foster global cooperation.

“We have the capacity. We have the resources. We have the technology,” said Jacobs. “The problem is the strategies and focus, which is too much limited by the perspectives of governments thinking of themselves rather than the whole world collectively thinking and working together.”

The Struggle for Access and Representation for Faith-based Organizations

While faith leaders and organizations expressed their commitment to active engagement in creating a harmonious world and achieving sustainable development goals, they face challenges in translating this commitment into global policy influence.

This disparity between the potential impact of faith-based organizations and their actual representation in global governance was mentioned by Imam Saffet Catovic, Director of UN Operations for Justice for All.

In a panel discussion focused on dialogue between religions and civil society, Catovic expressed that despite their crucial role in providing humanitarian aid and spiritual guidance, particularly during crises, religious groups often find themselves underrepresented in key decision-making arenas.

“We are on the front lines, and yet we are not part of the definition of what it means to be a global citizen. And if you’re not in the text, you’re not in the reality.”

He brought attention to the diminishing space for religious NGOs at the UN and noted that influential entities such as oil companies and pharmaceutical firms have greater access and influence compared to faith-based groups.

Youth Are Not Just the Future—They Are the Present

The issue of underrepresentation and exclusion extends beyond religious organizations to other crucial demographics, particularly youth. Kehkashan Basu, a speaker in the panel “Youth in the Age of Climate Disaster: How Youth Can Impact the Future,” highlighted this concern. The founder of the Green Hope Foundation, Basu spoke of young people’s contributions being undervalued and underfunded, despite their active engagement in addressing global challenges.

"Young people are right here. We are taking action. Yet somehow the actions we’re taking are still seen as something of the future,” she stated, advocating for policy changes that recognize the immediate impact of youth-driven solutions.

Closing Declaration and Faith in Action Commitment

The ICCGC-CoNGO Declaration of Support for the Summit of the Future was formally presented at the closing of the conference.

The significance of the ICCGC-CoNGO 2024 conference lies in its approach to bridging faith and political engagement. Where many religious spaces encourage apolitical stances or even promote divisive rhetoric, this conference stands out by advocating for active participation in addressing global issues. This approach aligns closely with the United Methodist Church’s social principles, which call for active engagement in human rights, climate action, and the pursuit of global peace.

Moving Forward: Get Involved

For more information on the outcomes of ICCGC 2024 and to get involved in future initiatives, visit ICCGC’s official website here.

Learn more about Church and Society UN ministry here