Madrid, Spain—On Saturday, April 1st, UPF and WFWP-Spain co-hosted the 5th and last session of the Cycle of Conferences: The Cornerstones for Peace. This time the topic dealt with “The Interreligious Gathering and Action as the Driving Forces for Social Peace.”
UPF and WFWP-Spain worked hand in hand preparing this program which seems central and significant for the work towards world peace. More than 80 people gathered together on this occasion.
The program consisted of two parts. The morning segment was dedicated to two roundtables. The speakers made presentations on the importance of interreligious sharing and exchange and of interreligious past and future actions as the incentive for fostering peace in society.
Participants enjoyed listening to speakers representing broad interreligious experiences, including: Pablo D’Ors, Catholic priest; Enrique Sanchez Motos, Unificationist; Alejandro Delgado, Islam researcher; Luis Morente, legal advisor for the Federation of Buddhist Communities of Spain; Yael Cobano, president of the Reform Jewish Community of Madrid; and Pilar Yuste from the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women.
It was also inspiring to listen to the participants when, after sharing with their table colleagues, reported to the larger group about their discussion. There was total agreement that interreligious dialogue is lacking in our present society. In addition, there were proposals for different types of future interreligious activities.
After this first part of the program, participants went to enjoy a delicious meal prepared and served at La Biotika, a vegetarian restaurant in Madrid.
Rocío López, director of the Ministry of Justice’s Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation gave welcome remarks and words of inspiration. Representatives of several different religions invited us to experience their traditions, including: mantras, songs, dances and prayers.
The participants unanimously expressed their appreciation for this interreligious gathering, which was a testimony to the fact that all religions, no matter their specific beliefs, can be a driving force for harmony and action for the good of the whole society.