What: Celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week "

Theme: The Role of Religious Communities in Africa: Advancing Peace, Human Dignity, Preservation of the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Freedom of Religion or Belief

When: 28^th February 2023

Time: 08:30hr – 17:00hr EAT/ GMT +3                                

Venue:  Nelson Mandela Hall, African Union Commission

Background

 The event will be held under the patronage of H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It is organized by the Interreligious Council of Ethiopia in partnership with the G20 Interfaith Forum, AU-ECOSOCC, and United Religions Initiative- Africa. The event will bring together around 350 participants, including religious, spiritual, and traditional leaders, policymakers, diplomatic communities, government officials, representatives from the African Union and UN agencies, youth and women associations, artists, scholars, students, and various NGOs.

Keynote Speakers:

1. H.E. Sahle Work Zewde, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
2. H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AUC (TBC)
3. Kesis Tagay Tadelle, Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia
4. Prof W. Cole Durham, Jr. President of the G20 Interfaith Forum

The one-day interfaith event aims at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among people of diverse religions, spiritual expressions, and indigenous traditions. Recognizing the importance of interfaith dialogue, the event is being held in commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony Week.

For the first time, the G20 Interfaith Forum has been invited to participate in the AU’s World Interfaith Harmony Week celebrations. The G20 is a group of 20 leading economies that represent over 80% of the global economy and is a significant platform for global economic and financial cooperation. The African Union first attended the G20 Summit in 2010 and seven years later, the G20 Compact with Africa (CWA) was launched. The CWA recognizes the need for deeper engagement with specific African countries, as South Africa, the only African member of the G20, cannot effectively represent the entire continent.

Journalists are invited to take part in the press briefing

For further information, please contact:

Malaz Yousif |Citizens and Diaspora Directorate| African Union Tel+ 251 115 517 700 |E-mail: Yousifma@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Hazel Maureen Danetta Dixon |Citizens and Diaspora Directorate| African Union Tel+ 251 115 517 700 |E-mail: dixonh@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Faith Adhiambo |Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Tel+ 251 115 517 700 |E-mail: ochiengj@Africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia