Religioni per la Pace Italia

e-Bulletin: Third Quarter 2009
OCTOBER 2009

GLOBAL ACTION | ADVANCING PEACE AROUND THE WORLD

The stories that follow are just a few examples of dedicated work undertaken by members of Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, from 1 July through 30 September 2009. Additional outstanding efforts have been undertaken by our regional and national inter-religious councils and groups around the world.

UNITED NATIONS | ACTION DURING CLIMATE WEEK

Religions for Peace played a leadership role in placing the voices of senior religious leaders and communities at the center of high-level dialogue on climate change during the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2009. On 23 September, Religions for Peace co-hosted the High-Level Consultation of Senior Religious Leaders, Government Representatives, and Representatives of the United Nations. This consultation of senior religious leaders advocated that governments commit to an ambitious, fair, and binding outcome document at the Copenhagen , Denmark , climate conference in December. Senior religious leaders advanced the dialogue with policy makers and the media.

On 21 September, Religions for Peace co-sponsored the Global Interfaith Gathering Calling for Urgent Action by the UN Summit on Climate Change. This multi-religious gathering called on all faith communities to join religious leaders in their commitment and also urged world leaders to take urgent action to stop and reverse the adverse impact of climate change. Representing Religions for Peace at both events were Co-Presidents Ms. Mehrézìa Labidi-Maiza, Coordinator of the Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network, His Grace John O. Onaiyekan, Priestess Beatriz Schulthess, and His Holiness Tep Vong. Also representing Religions for Peace was Swami Agnivesh, President of the World Council of Arya Samaj in India .

UN | CALL FOR DISARMAMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

In observation of the International Day of Peace on 21 September 2009, Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General, called upon the global Religions for Peace coalition to reconfirm its commitment to working toward limiting and eventually eliminating nuclear weapons. This commitment was reaffirmed in December 2008 by a Religions for Peace Executive Committee statement which read: “Nuclear weapons are a grave threat to human life. In addition to their profound danger, they also pose an inherent moral contradiction. On the one hand, our religious traditions affirm the ultimate value of each human life and call us to respect all life, while on the other nuclear weapons threaten indiscriminate death to massive numbers of people and threaten the global ecosystem on which all life depends.”

Dr. Vendley invited the Religions for Peace coalition to express its commitment by taking action through pledges on the International Day of Peace to such campaigns as “A Million Minutes for Peace” or United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s “We Must Disarm” campaign.

NEPAL | INT’L SUMMIT OF RELIGIOUS YOUTH ON DISARMAMENT

Globally nearly 1,000 people a day die from various kinds of weapons. Meanwhile, military spending in 2008 reached a new high of $1.464 trillion, even as the global economy faltered and the majority of the world’s population continued to live in poverty. To help address these issues, religious youth around the world gathered at the International Summit of Religious Youth Leaders on Disarmament for Shared Security on 10 July 2009 in Kathmandu , Nepal .

Organized by Religions for Peace, the Summit brought together a hundred Nepalese and fifty international religious and civil society leaders from twenty-five countries. Opening the Summit was Nepal President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav. Other prominent participants in the Summit included Mr. Kul C. Gautam, of Religions for Peace Nepal and former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, and Mr. Taijiro Kimura, Director, UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific.

Playing a leadership role at the summit was Ms. Stellamaris Mulaeh, Coordinator of the Religions for Peace Global Youth Network. Supporting the youth from Religions for Peace was Rev. Kyoichi Sugino, Director of Inter-religious Council Development and Network Coordination; Ms. Deepika Singh, Director of Program Coordination; Ms. Katerina Ragoussi, Associate Director of Youth and Network Coordination; and Ms. Allison Pytlak, Coordinator of the Disarmament Program.

INDONESIA | RELIGIOUS LEADERS DENOUNCE JAKARTA VIOLENCE

Dr. Hasyim Muzadi, president of Religions for Peace Indonesia , denounced extremist attacks on two Jakarta hotels on 17 July 2009, which killed eight and injured more than fifty. A multi-faith mass prayer was held near the bomb sites, and Mr. Muzadi, the leader of the country’s largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama, proclaimed Indonesia to be a tolerant country.

He said Religions for Peace would never tolerate violence in the name of religion. “Religion is not terror and terror is not the teaching of religion,” Dr. Muzadi said, “so a more objective and proportional comprehension of religious tenets is necessary.”

MEXICO | 62ND ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

Religions for Peace played a key role in the Sixty-Second Annual DPI/NGO Conference in Mexico City, Mexico from 9–11 September 2009, “For Peace and Development: Disarm Now.” The Religions for Peace delegation included youth representatives who are preparing for the upcoming launch of the Religions for Peace Global Youth Network’s ARMS DOWN! Campaign for Shared Security. The conference included four substantive thematic roundtables as well as workshops for peer-to-peer discussion. Ms. Allison Pytlak, Coordinator of the Religions for Peace Disarmament Program, gave a presentation that put a human face on military spending and expressed the need for shared security during the workshop, “Welfare or Warfare: Which Priorities?” organized by the International Peace Bureau.

ETHIOPIA | CHRISTIAN-MUSLIMS BUILDING PEACE IN HORN OF AFRICA

Christian and Muslim religious leaders made a joint commitment to intensify their effort to build lasting peace in the Horn of Africa. In a statement issued after a 30–31 July 2009 meeting, sponsored by the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (Religions for Peace Africa) in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia , the faith leaders called on governments of the region and people of goodwill to join the campaign. The leaders said that they were deeply concerned about the endemic conflicts and persistent insecurity especially in Somalia , Sudan , and Northern Uganda . They promised to seek and deepen their understanding and analysis of the root causes and agents of the conflicts.

The religious leaders cited poverty, mistrust, violation of human rights among the causes of violent conflict. The leaders pledged to actively continue engaging in sincere inter-faith dialogue, trust-building, and collaboration for peace in each of the countries and in the region. The All Africa Conference of Churches co-sponsored the meeting.

ISRAEL | INTER-RELIGIOUS YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT

On 10–12 August 2009, an inter-religious retreat for Jewish, Muslim, and Christian young adults took place in the Ein Karem area of Jerusalem , Israel . The retreat, “Interreligious Dialogue in Jerusalem in the Service of Peace :Achievements, Obstacles, and Challenges,” brought young people together in an atmosphere of safety to meditate, study, and learn about the possibility of Jerusalem becoming a city of peace. It also equipped them with the skills required to communicate effectively with the one another. The retreat was facilitated by Mr. Anton Murray of Mercy Corps, and Ms. Yael Yechieli, a facilitator of the Religions for Peace Inter-religious Coordinating Council in Israel ’s Jerusalem Interreligious Young Adults Forum. Twelve young men and women from Israel and the West Bank took part in this retreat, which was a joint project of Mercy Corps, ICCI and the Holy Land Trust.

NEPAL| “ROLLBACK VIOLENCE” CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

The “Rollback Violence” campaign was launched in Kathmandu , Nepal , on 15 September 2009, featuring patrons from the arts, media and religious leaders and including Mr. Kul Chandra Gautam of Religions for Peace Nepal . Two days later, several of the patrons visited the Kapilvastu district, birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The patrons of the campaign have been speaking out publicly, placing op-eds in the Katipur Daily, and engaging grassroots constituents in their peacebuilding efforts.

GLOBAL | "RESTORING DIGNITIY” INITIATIVE LAUNCHED

The Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network has launched the “RESTORING DIGNITY: End Violence Against Women” initiative, which invites faith-based organizations, religious leaders and communities to mobilize their moral authority and spiritual resources to raise awareness about eliminating violence against women. Actions include: signing and collecting signatures for an interfaith pledge; mobilizing youth to participate in an interfaith youth poster competition; organizing a spiritual service, prayer or retreat; advocating to the UN and local and national government leaders; sharing a survivor’s story; and organizing an educational or awareness raising event. All questions and actions may be directed to Ms. Jacqueline Ogega, Director of the Women’s Mobilization Program at GlobalWomenofFaith@religionsforpeace.org. Additional resources may be found on the Religions for Peace web site.

RESTORING DIGNITY was noted at an interfaith prayer for the International Day of Peace, Sukhmani Sahib. More than half a million individuals participated in this prayer from more than forty countries on 20 September 2009; the event was sponsored by the East and West Global Association of Sikh Women for World Peace and coordinated by Mrs. Rajinderjit Singh, a member of the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee.

UN | PARTNERSHIP WITH UNFPA ON MATERNAL HEALTH

Partnerships between faith-based organizations and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will help address maternal deaths and violence against women. Leadership from Religions for Peace were among representatives of more than forty international faith-based organizations at a policy round table held 3–4 August 2009 in New York .

The partnership between faith-based organizations and UNFPA on common goals will "help unleash the tremendous potential for action that remains untapped within the faith-based community," said Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace. “Their diversity of faiths, networks, capacities and knowledge,” he added, “will multiply the power of outreach to increase support for work to reduce maternal death and end violence against women.” Also representing Religions for Peace was Ms. Jacqueline Ogega, Director of the Women’s Mobilization Program.

GHANA | WORLD BANK FAITH AND DEVELOPMENT LEADERS

A high-level meeting of religious leaders on service delivery, poverty, and development was jointly organized by the World Bank’s Development Dialogue on Values and Ethics and the World Faiths Development Dialogue. Held on 1–2 July 2009 in Accra , Ghana , the meeting followed four earlier ones hosted in Lambeth Palace in London , England in 1998, 1999, and 2002, and in Dublin , Ireland in 2005. Representing Religions for Peace was Dr. Mustafa Ali, Secretary General of the African Council of Religious Leaders, and Ms. Jacqueline Ogega, Director of the Women’s Mobilization Program. Ms. Ogega spoke on how religious communities working with the World Bank could transform the impact of conflict on women and children.

SOUTH AFRICA | “SHARE FAIR” HELPS FIGHT HIV/AIDS

Religions for Peace South Africa, together with the Centre for HIV/AIDS Networking (HIVAN), hosted a capacity-building “Resources to Share Fair” on 8 July 2009 at Temple David in Durban , South Africa . The forum featured presentations by various organizations and the partners produced a CD of essential resources for use by attendees. Ms. Paddy Meskin of Religions for Peace opened the day with an overview of the day’s proceedings.

KENYA | REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH WORKSHOP

The Religions for Peace African Women of Faith Network, in collaboration with the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders, held a sensitization workshop on reproductive health issues for faith-based organizations in Nairobi , Kenya , from 17–20 August 2009.

SWITZERLAND | CONFERENCE ON SAUDI KING ABDULLAH’S INITIATIVE

Delegates expressed support for a proposal to establish an international center for inter-faith dialogue, following the initiative of Saudi King Abdullah’s historic call last year. On 29–30 September 2009, the Muslim World League sponsored a conference in Geneva , Switzerland , at which a communiqué affirmed the need for inter-religious dialogue at the highest international levels. Among those representing Religions for Peace were Co-Presidents Chief Rabbi David Rosen, President of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, and Dr. Mohammad Al Sammak, Secretary General of the Islamic Christian National Dialogue Committee; International Trustee Sheikh Nasser M. Al-Mutawa, and Secretary General Dr. William F. Vendley.

KAZAKHSTAN | 3RD CONGRESS OF LEADERS OF WORLD RELIGIONS

The Third Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions was held on 1–2 July 2009 in Astana , Kazakhstan , to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and cooperation. Secretary General Dr. William F. Vendley gave a keynote address, “The Role of Religious Leaders in Building Peace Based on Tolerance, Mutual Respect and Cooperation.” He also facilitated one of three panels, “Solidarity in Period of Crises.” Also representing Religions for Peace were the Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Moderator, and Mr. Stein Villumstad, Deputy Secretary General.

FRANCE | CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EUROPEAN COOPERATION

On 19 July 2009 representatives of Orthodox and Protestant churches in Europe celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Conference of European Churches. The celebration was part of the 13th Assembly of the organization, which took place in Lyon , France , on 15–21 July 2009. The Assembly, which meets every six years, brought together 600 participants from the Orthodox, Anglican, and Protestant churches in Europe . Among participants were Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders members Archbishop Anastasios of Albania; H.E. Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and a Co-President of the Religions for Peace World Council; and Bishop Ioannis from Greece. Playing a leadership role was The Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, Moderator of the Religions for Peace World Council. Supporting the religious leaders was Rev. Vebjørn Horsfjord, Secretary General of the Religions for Peace European Council of Religious Leaders.

UNITED NATIONS | COALITION FOR UN DECADE FOR COOPERATION

The global coalition to promote a United Nations Decade of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding, and Cooperation for Peace has more than sixty members and is continuing its advocacy to have the Decade launched by the UN General Assembly. The Steering Committee of the Coalition met in New York on 20–21 August 2009 under the leadership of Mr. Stein Villumstad, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace. The Steering Committee reviewed progress and affirmed that further support must be garnered from UN member states; in addition, the coalition must be mobilized throughout the world. The proposed Decade will be discussed in the current session of the UN General Assembly, and the coalition will take stock in its next meeting in connection with the Parliament of World’s Religions in Melbourne , Australia , in December.

UN | JAPAN PM FEATURES “SHARED SECURITY” IN SPEECH

The new Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Dr. Yukio Hatoyama, featured a notion of “shared security” as advocated by Religions for Peace in his remarks to the Sixty-Fourth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations on 24 September 2009.

“In the world in which we now live, national security and human security are becoming increasingly intertwined,” Hatoyama said. “The path forward that will save humanity is one which can bring about ‘shared security,’ in which various nations, ethnicities, races and religions coexist while acknowledging the differences among them. In other words, it is to bring about a ‘shared security’ through the principles of yu-ai or ‘fraternity.’”

NORWAY | CODE ON HOLY SITES UNDER CONSIDERATION

Leaders around the world are working toward a universal code that may help protect sacred sites with the intention that the code would be adopted by a relevant United Nations body as a convention. A consultation on “Holy Places – Places for Conflict or Dialogue?” was held in Trondheim , Norway on 27–28 July 2009. The consultation, convened by the Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights and One World in Dialogue, concluded by proposing a draft “Code on Holy Sites.” Participants represented Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders from European countries and the Middle East . Representing Religions for Peace was Deputy Secretary General Mr. Stein Villumstad. Religions for Peace will partner in the code development process, with special emphasis on bringing perspectives from a broader range of religious traditions as the code is further advanced.

STRENTHENING THE NETWORK | LOCAL, REGIONAL GLOBAL

Religions for Peace is strengthening its network and developing partnerships around the world at local, national, regional, and international levels. Following are selected actions from 1 July through 30 September 2009.

USA | INT'L WOMEN’S COORDINATING COMMITTEE CONVENES

Members of the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee (IWCC) met in New York on 24 September 2009 to help prepare for the launch of “RESTORING DIGNITY: End Violence Against Women” initiative. Participating in the meeting were Ms. Mehrézìa Labidi-Maiza, Coordinator of the Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network, as well as members Ms. Farida Ali, Mrs. Judith Hertz, Priestess Beatriz Schulthess, Lieutenant Colonel Geanette Seymour and Ms. Rajinderjit Kaur Singh.

The IWCC shared that the Religions for Peace North American Women of Faith Network plans to officially launch on 1–2 March 2010. In addition, Ms. Singh has been organizing a documentary film and general awareness-raising program in Long Island , New York , in partnership with libraries and government officials. She screened the film, Pray the Devil Back to Hell, about the contributions of Liberian women of faith to end conflict in their country; thirty-five women of different faiths attended the screening to raise awareness that when women unify, they can achieve anything. She plans to screen the educational documentary on fistula, A Walk to Beautiful, in October 2009. Supporting the IWCC were Ms. Jacqueline Ogega, Director of the Women’s Mobilization Program, and Ms. Erin McNamara, Women’s Mobilization Program Associate.

GHANA | PREPARING FOR WOMEN OF FAITH NETWORK LAUNCH

A Consultation with the women of faith in Ghana was held on 3 July 2009 at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Centre, Accra , Ghana to work toward the official launch of the Ghana Women of Faith Network.

KENYA | NEW AFRICAN COUNCIL OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS STAFF

Four new staff members have joined the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders (Religions for Peace Africa) team in Nairobi , Kenya .

Ms. Mercy Nyawira Karimi joins in the newly created post of Finance and Accounts Assistant. Ms. Karimi is a graduate of Commerce in Accounting from Egerton University . She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) finalist and has worked in the accounts and audits section of Bright Technologies Limited.

Ms. Hellen C. Kibowen is the new Administrative Assistant. Ms. Kibowen previously worked with Women’s Action Group-(WAG-CHELSEA) in New Delhi, India; Population Services International (Kenya); and Francis Drummond Investment Bank. She has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Nairobi ; in addition, Ms. Kibowen studied accounting at Strathmore University in Nairobi .

Ms. Florence Omtokoh fulfills the newly created position of Executive Secretary in the Office of the Secretary General. Ms. Omtokoh holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Moi University and a master’s degree in international relations from the United States International University . Ms. Omtokoh is fluent in French, English, and Swahili. She previously served in the office as Program Assistant in Sustainable Development and as acting Youth Coordinator.

Mr. Mohamed Sheikh Noor is the Acting Program Officer for Conflict Transformation and Peace Building ; he had been serving as a consultant in the Religious Leaders Peace Initiative for the Horn of Africa (RL PIHA). Mr. Noor has worked for more than ten years with local and international organizations, including projects funded by Oxfam, USAID/PACT, ECHO, Action Aid, the United Nations Development Programme ( Kenya ), and the World Bank ( Kenya ). Mr. Noor holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the University of Delhi , diplomas in information technology and project management, and a masters’ degree in conflict transformation and management from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Cape Town , South Africa.

Kindly join in welcoming all to the global Religions for Peace coalition.

HQ | ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR NEW PARTNERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM

Mr. Omar Williams has joined the Religions for Peace International Secretariat office as accountant for the New Partners Initiative program, which advances work regarding HIV and AIDS in Africa. Previously, Mr. Williams served as an auditor for Marks Paneth & Shron LLP in New York , a senior accountant at CSC Wealth Management LLP in New Jersey , and as staff accountant at Louis Feraud Inc., in New York . He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Queens College in New York and reports to Ms. Luisa Hernandez, Director of Finance, Human Resources, and Administration. Kindly join in welcoming Mr. Williams to Religions for Peace.

GOVERNANCE | WORLD COUNCIL, HONORARY PRESIDENTS, AND INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEES

Religions for Peace World Council Co-Presidents, Honorary Presidents, and International Trustees have been advancing peace around the world. These are some of their achievements from 1 July through 30 September 2009.

PRESIDENT EMERITUS | ON LEGAL EMPOWERMENT

HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, President Emeritus of Religions for Peace, gave the opening address of the Second Caux Forum for Human Security in Montreux , Switzerland on 17 July 2009, challenging audience members to consider a new global order that reflects intra-dependence, multi-lateralism, and multi-cultural thinking. He also advocated for legal empowerment of the poor. HRH Prince Hassan previously served on the United Nations Commission of the Legal Empowerment of the Poor, for which Religions for Peace has partnered with to help to place the voices of senior religious leaders and faith communities at the highest levels of international dialogue. “Approximately 3 billion human beings globally are legally disempowered, and without legal empowerment, the individual's capacity to make practical and informed decisions, as well as their ability to overcome the systemic pathologies that engender the indignity of poverty and deprivation, is greatly diminished."

TRUSTEE | Director General of ISESCO

Dr. Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri, a Religions for Peace International Trustee, was unanimously re-elected by the Tenth General Conference of Islamic Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) unanimously. He will serve for two consecutive, renewable three-year terms of office, in recognition of his outstanding efforts. The Conference lauded the achievements and progress made by Dr. Altwaijri in expanding ISESCO’s areas of competence, promoting its status, asserting its presence on the Islamic and international scene, enhancing its capacities and developing its administrative, and financial structures.

TRUSTEE | INTER-RELIGIOUS MODEL HIGHLIGHTED BY US GOVT.

Ms. Christina Lee Brown, a Religions for Peace International Trustee, Co-Chair of Fourteenth Annual Festival of Faiths, and Turney Berry, Center for Interfaith Relations Board Chair, orchestrated the launch of an interfaith Greater Louisville Adopt-a-Waterway program that was highlighted during Interfaith Service Week by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The effort gives an action-oriented focal program for the Festival of Faiths in 2009 which is themed on Sacred Water: Sustaining Life.

TRUSTEE | Tsakopoulos Nominated Ambassador to Hungary

Mrs. Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, a Religions for Peace International Trustee, was nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the US Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary . Ms. Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is a civic leader and philanthropist and presently president of AKT Development Corporation, one of California 's largest land development firms.

TRUSTEE | Steve Killelea Generates New Images of Peace

Mr. Steve Killelea, a Religions for Peace International Trustee, creator of the Global Peace Index, businessman, and philanthropist, sponsored an international contest to find a new peace logo that was “fresh, uses modern graphic capabilities and is applicable to the 21st century.” Curious as to what peace looks like in the minds of the winning artists?

TRUSTEE | John Kiser Extends book Tour to Middle East

Mr. John W. Kiser, a Religions for Peace International Trustee, is extending his tour with his book, Commander of the Faithful—The Life and Times of the Emir Abd el-Kader: A Story of True Jihad (Monkfish, 2008). After a round of book talks in the United States at universities and clubs, Mr. Kiser is preparing to take a tour of select countries in the Middle East this fall. For his presentation at Meridan International earlier this year click here.

SUBMISSIONS CALL | JOURNAL OF INTER-RELIGIOUS DIALOGUE

The Journal of Inter-Religious Dialogue is pleased to issue a Call for Submissions for its special fourth issue. Entitled “In the Face of Conflict: Multi-Religious Cooperation for Peace," it will be guest edited by Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace. The deadline for submissions for the fourth issue of the Journal is 30 January 2010. Articles submitted after this date will not be considered for publication in the fourth issue. Authors will hear back about the status of submissions by 28 February 2010. Members of the Religions for Peace global coalition are strongly encouraged to submit contributions based on their fieldwork.

HEADS UP | FORTHCOMING EVENTS

4–13 November: The 14th Annual Festival of Faiths–Sacred Water: Sustaining Life, Louisville, KY, USA
7–9 November: Inauguration of Religions for Peace Global Youth campaign for Shared Security, Costa Rica
9–10 November: Peace Education of Asia and the Role of Religions sponsored by Korean Conference of Religions for Peace and International Peace Corps of Religions, Seoul, Korea
15–17 November: UN Food and Agriculture Organization World Summit on Food Security, Rome, Italy
1–2 December: Meeting for UN Decade of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, Understanding and Cooperation for Peace, Melbourne, Australia
2–3 December: Asia Pacific Breakthrough: The Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty, Melbourne, Australia
3–9 December: Parliament of World Religions, Melbourne, Australia
7–18 December: COP15–United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark