On 19 June 2026, representatives of Presidency Board of European National Interreligious Bodies (ENIB) in Religions for Peace Europe and Religions for Peace France, held an online meeting to strengthen cooperation, exchange information on ongoing activities, and discuss future joint initiatives in the field of interreligious dialogue, peacebuilding, and institutional engagement.
The meeting brought together President of ENIB and President of Religions for Peace Europe Prof. Genti Kruja; Vice Presidents of ENIB Prof. Elisabeth Naurath and Mr. Marcel Israel; as well as representatives of Religions for Peace France, including Mr. Henri Foucard, Mr. Ghaleb Bencheikh, Mr. Abdelkader Al Andalussy Oukrid, Mr. Jean-Luc Fremon and Mr. Fereydoun Badkoube.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks from the French side, highlighting the importance of renewed cooperation between the French national body and the European structures of Religions for Peace.
During the meeting, Prof. Genti Kruja presented the recent developments, structure, and strategic priorities of Religions for Peace Europe and ENIB. He underlined the role of Religions for Peace Europe as a platform that brings together religious leaders, national interreligious bodies, women of faith, and youth in order to strengthen cooperation, promote peace education, support conflict prevention, and advance human dignity and social cohesion across Europe.
Prof. Kruja also highlighted the increasing engagement of Religions for Peace Europe with European and international institutions, including activities connected with the OSCE/ODIHR, the Council of Europe, and other interreligious and human rights platforms. He emphasized that Religions for Peace Europe aims to strengthen cooperation among national interreligious bodies and to promote a shared strategic agenda focused on conflict prevention, peace education, social justice, human development, environmental protection, and multi-religious cooperation.
On behalf of Religions for Peace France, Mr. Henri Foucard presented the structure and activities of the French network, describing it as a federation of local and national associations engaged in interreligious dialogue, visits to places of worship, conferences, exhibitions, and public events. He noted that the French network operates largely through voluntary engagement, while maintaining a broad range of partnerships and local initiatives.
The French side also presented ongoing and planned activities, including annual interreligious events, regional initiatives, exhibitions, and cooperation with partner organizations.
A key point of discussion was the closer involvement of Religions for Peace France in the European structures of ENIB/Religions for Peace Europe.
Prof. Elisabeth Naurath underlined the ongoing stabilization and strengthening of Religions for Peace Europe, noting the importance of cooperation among national bodies and the role of interreligious dialogue in addressing current social and political challenges. Mr. Marcel Israel also contributed to the discussion, emphasizing the value of collaboration across European communities and traditions.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants expressed their shared commitment to strengthening cooperation between Religions for Peace France, and ENIB/Religions for Peace Europe. The agreed follow-up steps include continuing communication on the future activities.
The meeting marked an important step toward deeper collaboration, stronger representation, and the development of joint initiatives for interreligious dialogue, peace education, social cohesion, and multi-religious cooperation in Europe.
