As part of the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, this High-Level Dialogue provides an opportunity for parliamentarians and faith and belief leaders to engage with expert speakers and practitioners and to reflect on these questions within their own contexts.  

Thursday 23 September | 13.00 - 14.30 (GMT+1) | Zoom

What is the relationship between the human right to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? How might FoRB contribute to sustainable, inclusive and equitable social and economic development? Can the SDGs be achieved without FoRB? How can parliamentarians and faith and belief leaders advance the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development in a way that ensures no one is left behind because of their religion or belief? 

This High-Level Dialogue is part of a wider series exploring the intersections between FoRB and the SDGs and the role that parliamentarians and faith and belief leaders can play in addressing inequalities on account of religion or belief. Resources will be provided ahead of the meetings and regional follow-up support will be available to operationalise any next steps.

The series is informed by a set of expert briefing papers produced by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) as part of the FoRBLN project of which IPPFoRB and DIHR are consortium members. The consultation series is also supported by the African Parliamentarians Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR), Religions for Peace and Faith for Rights Initiative.

This consultation is intended in the first instance for parliamentarians and faith leaders from the 8 FoRBLN project countries (Bangladesh, the Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda), but it will also be of interest to parliamentarians and faith and belief leaders from across Africa, Europe and South and Southeast Asia. 

Speakers

Dr Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Prof. Dr Azza Karam, Secretary-General, Religions for Peace, former Coordinator/Chair of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion and Development

Hon. Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, Member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Founder and Chair of the African Parliamentarian Association for Human Rights (AfriPAHR)

Dr Marie Juul Pedersen, Senior Researcher, The Danish Institute for Human Rights

If you experience any technical problems or any other need, please don’t hesitate to write to us at contact@ippforb.com