Religions for Peace Europe Officially Launches with Ceremony in Berlin

Last week Board members of the Religions for Peace Europe e.V. met in Berlin for their Board meeting and ceremonial launching of the Religions for Peace Europe which is now registered in Germany. Since the pandemic this is the first time members have come together in-person, after extensive cooperation virtually. Between the 10th and 12th of May 2022, while part of Europe is devastated by War and many parts of Europe are doing their best to accommodate those fleeing the devastation, members from many countries and religious traditions, came together to discuss further cooperation for peace.

Religions for Peace Europe was invited by the German Federal Foreign Office to meet and hold the launch reception at the prestigious and beautiful Villa Borsig, where we were joined by many distinguished guests. We were welcomed by Ms Fellner, Deputy head of the cultural department of the Federal Foreign Office and the State Secretary for Europe Mr Woop from the Berlin Senate, who acknowledged the importance of Religions for Peace and expressed their continued commitment to strengthening the movement in Europe.

Guests received speeches from the four co-committees which make up the new organisation: President of RfP Europe and the European Council of Religious Leaders, Rev. Dr Thomas Wipf, Vice President of  European Interfaith Youth Network (RfP) Lejla Hasandedic-Dapo, President of the European National Interreligious Bodies, Dr Luigi de Salvia and Chair of Religions for Peace Germany, also representing the European Women of Faith Network (RfP), Dr Elisabeth Naurath. The speeches will be published on the Religions for Peace Europe Website in due course.

Each of the four co-committees have representation on the RfP Europe board. They bring their own members and rich histories to the new Religious for Peace Europe regional body, and more effective sharing of resources, expertise, networks and communication, will help continue to enhance Religions for Peace Europe’s work, impact and sustainability.

During their meeting, Religions for Peace Europe Board also met with Mr von Peter, Political Reporter representing the European Union at the Berlin liaison office of the EU, discussing pressing issues facing Europe and the role of interreligious networks. 

To learn more about the organization visit https://rfpeurope.org/