Forty eminent religious and political leaders, scholars and representatives of international organizations from diverse backgrounds today called for urgent action to address mounting fears, inequalities and alienation in the midst of ongoing food, energy and financial crises. Read more about the final statement from the Teheran conference on “Religion in the modern world”.

The call to action comes at the conclusion of the groundbreaking conference “Religion in the Modern World,” held in Tehran from 12-14 October 2008. The event—hosted by former President of Iran Mohammad Khatami’s Foundation for Dialogue Among Civilizations, the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and the Club of Madrid — was organized in response to expectations around the world for new vision and ethical leadership on growing circumstances that threaten to exacerbate social and identity-based divisions in and between societies.

“We recognize that a reassertion of ethical values is needed to deal with the problems of inequality and poverty, of climate change, denial of fundamental human dignity, rights and freedoms, and increasing fears, polarization and violence,” said Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister of Norway, member of the Club of Madrid and head of the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights.

Read the final statement from the conference

12 practical measures
Participants addressed the role of religious and political leaders in these circumstances and produced the following 12 practical measures to be taken individually and collectively: Establish a joint task force; Convene a resource group of religious and political leaders, who can work with current leaders and decision-makers to address global and regional conflicts; Organize roundtables with current government leaders and officials to share the vision of dialogue and its contribution in conflict prevention and resolution; Compile examples of best policies and practices on dialogue and co-existence between religions and cultures; Organize interactions between youth and religious and political leaders; Establish local partnerships through networking and liaison with national civil society organizations; Engage the private sector; Widely disseminate the principles of dialogue through web sites, newspaper editorials; and Exploring publication of a periodic “Religious and Cultural Dialogue Watch Report.” They also include cooperation with other global initiatives and organizations such as UN Global Agenda on Dialogue Among Civilizations, UN Alliance of Civilizations, Club de Madrid’s Global Forum on Leadership and Shared Societies, and UNESCO.

Common concerns
“We political and religious leaders from different faiths recognize that our common concerns and shared values are more significant than our differences,” said Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Vice President, Club of Madrid. “We must focus on the values of justice, responsibility and respect for human dignity and human rights, as we face these challenges.”

Participants called on religious leaders to be mindful of their moral responsibility to be the voice of conscience, and their capacity to heal divisions and contribute to advance social justice and human rights and to prevent war and violence. They urged them also to challenge political leaders and support them as appropriate.

“We must commit ourselves to dialogue as a means to explore issues of concern and discover our common humanity,” said Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran and President of the Foundation for Dialogue among Civilizations. “We must then undertake to continue these dialogues and work together to contribute to overcoming polarization and violence and building shared societies for a fair and just world order.”

Fifth dialogue
The conference is the fifth in a series of dialogues, the culmination of a two-year collaborative effort between the Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights and the Foundation for Dialogue among Civilizations, in collaboration with the Club de Madrid. All five events were co-chaired by former President of Iran, Seyed Mohammad Khatami, and the former Prime Minister of Norway, Club of Madrid Board member, and Oslo Center President Kjell Magne Bondevik. President Robinson led a group of Club of Madrid members – all former heads of State and Government– which included Sadiq al-Mahdi (Sudan), Lionel Jospin (France), Chandrika Kumaratunga (Sri Lanka), Zlatko Lagumdzija (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Romano Prodi (Italy), Joseph Deiss (Switzerland) and Jorge Sampaio (Portugal) – who is also the UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, an Honorary Member of the Club of Madrid and Bishop John Chane (Bishop of Washington) also spoke to the conference.

Read the final statement from the conference