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<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Brussels, 9 September 2026 \u2014 The leadership of the G20 Interfaith Forum met with His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, on 9 September in Brussels to discuss opportunities for cooperation and the potential engagement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Forum’s European and international activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting was attended by Prof. Cole Durham, President of the G20 Interfaith Forum, and Ms Nicole Sterling, Vice-President of the Stirling Foundation and member of the Executive Board of the G20 Interfaith Forum, Dr Elizabeta Kitanovic CEO of Facta est Lux \u2013 Human Rights Institute and professor Dr Rik Torfs, honorary rector of KU Leuven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussions focused in particular on the development of a stronger European dimension of the G20 Interfaith Forum’s activities, including structured engagement with European institutions, faith-based organisations, civil society and other relevant stakeholders.The participants recognised the importance of Europe’s role in shaping international policy discussions and addressing common challenges affecting increasingly pluralistic societies. In this context, the European Union’s institutional and international role provides an important framework for dialogue on issues at the intersection of fundamental rights, social cohesion, religious freedom, human dignity, peace, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable persons. The meeting explored how a stronger European presence could facilitate a structured platform for religious and interfaith actors to contribute their expertise and perspectives to wider European and international policy discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Particular attention was given to the role of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) as a fundamental right and to the importance of maintaining an inclusive dialogue with Europe’s diverse religious and philosophical communities. The participants also underlined that engagement between public institutions, religious communities and civil society should be based on respect for fundamental rights, democratic principles, pluralism, equality before the law and mutual respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Liaison Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the European Union expressed its interest in contributing to relevant European and international discussions and in ensuring that the Orthodox Christian perspective is appropriately represented in dialogue on religion, human dignity and the future of European societies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras stressed the importance of ensuring that religious communities have an appropriate place in public dialogue at a time of significant geopolitical, technological and social transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a rapidly changing world, religious communities have an important contribution to make to public dialogue. Their experience and commitment to human dignity can contribute constructively to discussions about the future of our societies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further emphasised the importance of dialogue that brings together different religious traditions and public institutions while respecting the principles of pluralism and freedom of religion or belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ms Nicole Sterling highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among faith communities and civil society in support of social cohesion, family resilience and the protection of children and vulnerable persons. Drawing on her longstanding experience in advocacy concerning family policy and women’s participation in society, Ms Sterling underlined the importance of policies that enable women and men to reconcile professional responsibilities with family life, while ensuring that children and families in vulnerable circumstances receive appropriate protection and support. She emphasised that faith communities can make a constructive contribution to European social cohesion by supporting dialogue across communities, strengthening local networks of solidarity and promoting the dignity and participation of all members of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prof. Cole Durham underlined the strategic importance of developing a stronger European dimension of interfaith engagement:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEurope offers a unique environment in which diverse religious and interfaith voices can come together in a structured and constructive dialogue. A stronger European engagement can create opportunities for these perspectives to contribute to international discussions on peace, human dignity, religious freedom and social cohesion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The participants agreed on the value of continued dialogue between the G20 Interfaith Forum, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and relevant European stakeholders, with a view to identifying areas of common interest and developing appropriate forms of future cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussions will continue with a particular focus on the contribution of religious and interfaith actors to freedom of religion or belief, social cohesion, peacebuilding, the protection of children and vulnerable persons, family policy, women’s participation and the strengthening of dialogue between European institutions and religious communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n