The G20 Interfaith Forum (IF20) hosted a series of Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) meetings in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 24 to 28, 2025. These meetings aimed to advance interfaith dialogue and policy recommendations for global peacebuilding, religious freedom, and social cohesion. The events were led by W. Cole Durham Jr., President of IF20, with significant contributions from Whitney Clayton and other team members.
Key Meetings and Discussions
The five-day trip included a diverse range of engagements with religious leaders, policymakers, and community representatives. Notable meetings included:
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Discussions with Liesl Pretorius and Michael Swain from FOR SA on legal frameworks for religious freedom.
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A session with Tim Murithi, head of peacebuilding at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), on social cohesion efforts.
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Engagement with Bishop Sylvester David and Mike Pothier of the Archdiocese of Cape Town.
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A virtual meeting with Roelf Meyer, former MP and peace mediator, on indigenous rights and constitutional development.
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Interactions with the Cape Town Interfaith Initiative Board, including Nic Paton and Aydin Inal.
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Community visits in Khayelitsha township, meeting with Fr. Moses, Dominican Brothers, and Sisters of Charity.
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Academic discussions at the University of Western Cape (UWC) with Sarojini Nadar and Lee Sharnick-Udemans.
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A meeting with Marion Keim in Franschhoek on sustainable development initiatives.
These engagements provided a comprehensive view of religious freedom issues in South Africa, from grassroots efforts to high-level policy discussions.
Themes and Observations
The meetings underscored several critical themes:
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Social Cohesion: Emphasis was placed on bridging divides through interfaith dialogue and education while addressing challenges such as commercialization of religion and abuse within religious institutions.
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Indigenous Rights: Discussions explored how religious freedom intersects with constitutional protections for indigenous communities.
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Youth Participation: Strategies were proposed to involve young leaders in interfaith initiatives through university partnerships.
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Religion in Governance: Issues like state regulation of religion, self-regulation by faith communities, and combating corruption were highlighted.
Broader Implications
The FoRB meetings in South Africa serve as a precursor to IF20’s broader agenda for the G20 Summit later in 2025. By fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders—religious leaders, policymakers, academics—the forum aims to integrate faith perspectives into global decision-making processes.