Report

The Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) appointed a delegation of one parliamentarian to participate in the second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue which took place in Rome, Italy on June 19-21, 2025. The sole Canadian delegate was Michael Cooper, MP. The Parliamentary Conference was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliament of Italy in cooperation with Religions for Peace. This was the first time that the UIPU sent a delegation to the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue.

THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

The IPU is the world organization of parliaments. Headquartered in Geneva, its membership includes 183 national parliaments and 15 associate members comprising regional parliamentary bodies.[1] The UIPU formally joined the IPU in 1912, interrupting its membership during the 1940s and 1950s before renewing it in 1960.

In addition to being a forum and platform for discussion among parliamentarians, the IPU undertakes a number of activities in keeping with its five-year strategy, currently the strategy for 2022–2026.[2]

Interfaith dialogue has become a focus within the IPU in recent years. It has been the subject of publications, part of the programme at Assemblies[3] and the focus of the first Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue in 2023.

The first Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue, which took place in Marrakesh, Morocco in June 2023, was organized by the IPU and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco. The theme of that first conference was “Working together for our common future.”

SECOND PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE ON INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

The theme of the second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue was “Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future.” The event was attended by over 600 MPs and experts from almost 100 countries.[4]

A. Programme   

The Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue included the following sessions:

• General Debate: Parliamentarians in dialogue with religion and belief: Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future;
• High-level panel: Countering hatred based on religion or belief: deescalating polarization, preventing dehumanization and religious weaponization;
• Thematic working session 1: Promoting peaceful coexistence;
• Thematic working session 2: Lessons from the Marrakesh Declaration (2016): Upholding the rights of religious minorities;
• Panel 1: Advancing inclusive societies, ensuring freedom of religion or belief;
• Panel 2: Promoting ethical leadership at all levels, investing in education for peace;
• Panel 3: Interfaith dialogue for the inclusion of women in public life; and
• Panel 4: Fostering solidarity and action for people in vulnerable situations.

The programme also included an audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV’s address to the members of the IPU is included in the Second Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue: Strengthening trust and embracing hope for our common future report.[5]

The opening ceremony’s six speakers included Mr. Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy and IPU President Dr. Tulia Ackson. Dr. Ackson “urged participants to listen, share and connect during the Conference to combat hatred and discrimination, in the hope of harnessing their collective efforts for a better, more peaceful world.” [2]

Some of the themes that were raised by participants during the general debate included:

• the benefits of interfaith dialogue;
• the role of parliamentarians and representatives of faith-based communities and organizations to “[c]hampion and defend multilateralism, the Charter of the United Nations and its emphasis on tolerance, international law, and the rules-based international order;”[7]
• the need to address misinformation; and
• good practices for promoting interfaith dialogue.

1. The High-level panel on Countering hatred based on religion or belief: deescalating polarization, preventing dehumanization and religious weaponization

Co-Moderators:

• Mr. Maurizio Lupi, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, Vice-President of the Italian IPU Group
• Ms. Şafak Pavey, Special Envoy, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, former Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

Panellists:

• His Eminence Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
• Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Manara Center for Coexistence and Dialogue and Member of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates
• Rabbi David Rosen, Chief Rabbi; Co-President, Religions for Peace (video message)
• Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London
• Imam Yahyâ S.Y. Pallavicini, Chairman of the European Muslim Leaders' Majlis (EULEMA); Member of the European Council of Religious Leaders -Religions for Peace
• Dr. Nazila Ghanea, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and Professor of International Human Rights Law at Oxford University
• Ms. Uswatun Hasanah, Eco Bhinneka Surakarta, Indonesia

The High-level panel on Countering hatred based on religion or belief: deescalating polarization, preventing dehumanization and religious weaponization “explored the many ways in which legislators and religious leaders can serve as bridge-builders between divided communities to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.”[8]

2. Thematic working session 1: Promoting peaceful coexistence   

Moderator:

• Ms. Deepika Singh, Deputy Secretary General of Religions for Peace

Panellists:

• Ms. Mónika Bartos, Member of the National Assembly, Hungary
• Mr. Abdulla Almanai, Executive Director, King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance (Bahrain)
• Professor Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, Spiritual Leader and Chair, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha; Co-President and Trustee, Religions for Peace International
• Ms. Radi Lamia, Founding President, Mémoires pour l’Avenir Foundation (Morocco)
• Mr. Issa Toha Shamsoo, Founder and Executive Director, African Students for Interfaith Tolerance (Ghana)

This thematic working session “examined the roles of parliamentarians, religious leaders and civil society in fostering peaceful coexistence and preventing radicalization.”[9]

3. Thematic working session 2: Lessons from the Marrakesh Declaration (2016): Upholding the rights of religious minorities   

Moderator: Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner

Panellists:

• Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh Bin Bayyah, Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace
• Dr. Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Georgetown University, Board Member of the G20 Interfaith Forum
• Mr. Robert Amuma Madubi, Founder of Badili Tana Initiative (Kenya)

This thematic working session “focused on the Marrakesh Declaration on the Rights of Religious Minorities in the Muslim World (2016) and its contribution to promoting freedom of religion or belief, fostering peaceful coexistence and strengthening inclusive governance.”[10]

4. Panel 1: Advancing inclusive societies, ensuring freedom of religion or belief    

Moderator: Ms. Tanya Awad Ghorra, Senior Trainer on Diversity and Inclusive Citizenship and Board Member at Adyan Foundation, Lebanon

Panellists:

• Ms. Fernanda San Martín Carrasco, Director of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, former member of Parliament of Bolivia
• Professor Ahmed Shaheed, Professor of International Human Rights Law in the School of Law and Human Rights Centre at the University of Essex, former UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
• Rabbi David Saperstein, Senior Advisor for Policy, Union for Reform Judaism; former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, US Department of State
• Ms. Bani Dugal, Representative to the UN for the Baha'i International Community; Co-President, Religions for Peace
• Dr. Michael Wiener, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

This panel “explored how parliaments, religious actors and civil society can act in unison to advance freedom of religion or belief as a foundation for peaceful, just and inclusive societies.”[11]

5. Panel 2: Promoting ethical leadership at all levels, investing in education for peace    

Moderator: Dr. Fadi Daou, Executive Director of Globethics

Panellists:

• Ambassador Simona-Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd UNESCO General Conference
• Ms. Hala Fayez, Member of the Shura Council, Bahrain
• Dr. Ibrahim Negm, Senior Advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, Secretary General of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide
• Dr. Chinmay Pandya, Chairperson, South Asian Institute of Peace and Reconciliation, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, India
• Ms. Joy Muthoni Gitau, Executive Director, Amani Communities Africa

This panel “explored the intersection between ethical leadership and peace education as essential pillars for just, inclusive and cohesive societies.”[12]

6. Panel 3: Interfaith dialogue for the inclusion of women in public life   

Moderator: Ms. Nihal Saad, Director, United Nations Alliance of Civilizations

Panellists:

• Ms. Cynthia López Castro, Senator of Mexico, President of the IPU Bureau of Women Parliamentarians
• Ms. Aminatou Ngangoube, Senator, Cameroon
• Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Professor of Sikh Studies, co-founder of the Women’s Faith Forum; member of the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief
• Dr. Thiago Alves Pinto, Lecturer in Legal Studies and Diplomatic Studies, Director of Studies in Religion and Theology, Oxford University
• Ms. Stella Attah, Peacebuilding Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, Tearfund

This panel “examined the role of interfaith dialogue in promoting the inclusion of women in public life, encompassing both political institutions and religious or belief communities.”[13]

7. Panel 4: Fostering solidarity and action for people in vulnerable situations   

Moderator: Ms. Claire Thomas, Executive Director of Minority Rights Group

Panellists:

• Mr. Gerardo Fernández Noroña, President of the Senate of Mexico
• Dr. Katherine Marshall, Senior Fellow, the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs, Board Member of the G20 Interfaith Forum
• Ms. Michèle Bowe, Head of the Representative Office of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the State of Palestine
• Mr. Khushwant Singh, Head of Secretariat, International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development
• Priestess Beatriz Schulthess, President, Indigenous Peoples Ancestral Spiritual Council (Costa Rica) and member of the UNHCR-Religions for Peace Multi-religious Council of Leaders

This panel “explored how parliaments, religious leaders and other stakeholders can work together to promote solidarity and concrete action for people in vulnerable situations.”[14]

B. Canadian activities during the session   

Mr. Cooper attended the opening ceremony and participated in the general debate. His intervention at the general debate focused on religious freedom, which he explained is interwoven into Canada’s history and institutions, culture and democracy. He also touched on concerns about freedom of religion, including issues that have arisen in the context of religion as protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Mr. Cooper also stressed the importance of interfaith dialogue, which included the need to create structures to facilitate building bridges across diverse communities as a means of reconciling differences. Finally, he emphasized positive aspects of interfaith dialogue in Canada as well as challenges.

Mr. Cooper also attended the audience with Pope Leo XIV.

C. Conference outcomes   

The outcome document for the Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue was the Rome Communiqué. Among other things, the Rome Communiqué:

• Acknowledges the challenging global environment which includes escalating conflict and violence, “increasing disillusionment with multilateralism, the erosion of the rules-based international order, challenges to democratic institutions and human rights norms, and anxiety about the future and health of our planet;”
• Rejects “the misuse of religions or beliefs or the manipulation of their followers to incite hatred and violence;”
• Notes that digital technologies amplify “toxic language and narratives that discriminate against and dehumanize individuals or communities based on religion or belief;”
• “Reaffirm[s] that freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, including the right to change one’s belief, is a universal and inalienable human right which has been enshrined in international law within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966);”
• “Reaffirm[s] the full and equal rights of women and girls, who often face intersecting forms of discrimination, including those justified in the name of religion, belief or tradition;”
• “Acknowledge[s] the indispensable role of faith communities in supporting people in vulnerable situations;” and
• “Recognize[s] that young people, as agents of peace and interfaith understanding, must be empowered to shape the decisions about the future they are set to inherit through opportunities for meaningful participation and action for society and the health of our planet.”

Parliamentary actions called for in the Rome Communiqué include:

• “Strengthen[ing] provisions for freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief;”
• “Counter[ing] hate speech, polarizing and dehumanizing narratives and the weaponization of religion or belief;” and
• “Counter[ing] digital threats to democracy and human dignity.”

Travel Expenses

Travel expenses associated with this activity can be found in the delegation’s financial report. This report is available in the Financial Disclosure section of the Parliamentary Diplomacy website.

Respectfully submitted,

The Hon. Rob Oliphant, P.C., M.P.

President, Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union