Buenos Aires, Argentina— “The freedom to profess and spread religion and beliefs, in global jeopardy” was the theme of one of the panels at the 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, “A Path Towards Peace,” in which UPF-Argentina participated. The Congress took place on June 8, 2023, at the Beethoven Foundation Auditorium in Buenos Aires City (1).
Moderated by Dr. David Frol, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints South American Area legal adviser, the panel consisted of Marcelo Bater, rabbi from the Dor Jadash Community – Murillo Temple – Conservative Judaism; Gustavo Libardi, president of Scientology Argentina; Miguel Werner, president of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in Argentina, member of the Unification Church; Sohrab Yazdani, member of the Bahá'í community and founder of the Education Center for Peace; and Oluwo Leonardo Allegue, president and religious spiritual leader of the African and Umbanda Social, Cultural and Religious Association.
“I believe we currently need to renew, more than ever, the values and good practices of the different spiritual traditions, of loving God and others, mainly actions aimed at solving concrete issues in our current society, which suffers various conflicts and poverty, despair and confusion,” claimed Miguel Werner. He thanked the new Ambassador for Peace, Gustavo Guillermé, president of the World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue, and promoters of this special 6th edition of the Congress.
“It is fundamental to expand and strengthen interreligious dialogue, mutual understanding and interreligious cooperation, especially fraternity, which is not only the best testimony to give to a profoundly divided society, it also banishes prejudices and avoids discrimination. And, above all, no other power can go against unity,” he concluded as a recommendation (2).
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion” is claimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18. Such freedom is currently under threat in countries from all regions, where persecutions, imprisonment, discrimination and stigmatizations occur (3). This was the theme addressed by all panelists.
“Considering the Transformation of Argentinian Education 2023-2053,” “Keren Kayemet LeIsrael: Climate Change,” and “Human and Bioethical Dignity: Vision of Men of Faith” were the themes of the other three panels during the event organized by the World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue in conjunction with Keren Kayemet LeIsrael and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints South American Area.
Links:
1) More info on the 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue:
The 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue was held in Buenos Aires:
The 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue is held:
Gustavo Guillermé on the 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue:
2) Miguel Werner’s speech at the 6th World Congress on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue:
3) News “Religious Freedom Gone into Freefall”:
