The lack of freedom of religion and belief (FORB) and Inclusive Citizenship is a pressing global issue affecting millions, as well as being a source for socioeconomic discrimination and segregation, increasing inequality, resentment and unrest.
Promoting both FoRB and Inclusive Citizenship is seen as critical to peace and co-existence, both within increasingly diverse societies and between them. Key recent interreligious initiatives, especially in Europe and the MENA regions, considered FORB and Inclusive citizenship among their shared priorities. This speaks to a growing interreligious momentum cutting across the two regions to advance the recognition of cultural and religious diversity, while ensuring equality and human dignity for all. Whether it is the Document on Human Fraternity, the Marrakesh Declaration, the Charter of Mekkah, the Strasbourg Principles for Interreligious Dialogue within the Council of Europe, or the OSCE policies promoting FORB and non-discrimination for a stronger sense of security, there is a growing critical number of religious leaders in the Euro-MENA space willing to speak and act together vis à vis their own religious and political constituencies in favour of FoRB and Inclusive Citizenship for all. This new interreligious initiative, in partnership with the British and Italian Governments, the Adyan Foundation and Globethics, aims to foster peace, human dignity and co-existence by advancing the implementation of Freedom of Religion and Belief and Inclusive Citizenship in the Euro-MENA region. It builds on the Wilton Park Dialogues Report on Inclusive Citizenship, and offers a platform for cross-cultural and interreligious dialogue, for the co-creation of a shared policy agenda, while noting the different local realities and specificities in the Euro-MENA space.
