HOUSE OF LORDS,  LONDON,  UK,  21 NOVEMBER 2022

Developed over a decade of international dialogue and consultation, the Peace Charter for Forgiveness & Reconciliation was launched in the UK at the 3rd Peace Forum held on 21 November 2022 at the House of Lords in Westminster, London. The distinguished venue, at the heart of Westminster democracy, provided a most appropriate backdrop for the innovative Peace Charter that has the potential to be truly transformative.. At the event, the unveiling of its Preamble and 18 Principles were discussed through key sessions that exemplified the Charter’s applicability. In particular, the issues of peacebuilding and climate change were discussed through an alternative lens of forgiveness and reconciliation so that they could be approached to become a pivotal agenda for societies worldwide.

The UK launch of the Peace Charter marked the culmination of more than a decade of international consultation, symposia and seminars between profound thinkers and peace practitioners across a spectrum of secular and religious standpoints. In particular, the event aimed to raise awareness amongst civic leaders and parliamentarians about positive social outcomes where forgiveness and reconciliation are both identified and astutely implemented as core values to guide peace-building processes.

During the proceedings, Fiona Bruce MP, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief joined the event hosts, The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth, the Lord Bishop of Coventry and Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia OBE KSG, Co-convener of the Peace Charter and spiritual leader of the Sikh faith-based organisation, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha.

Speakers from the dynamic and highly experienced global delegation included: Professor Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace International, a key partner for the Peace Charter; Canon Sarah Snyder, Founding Director of the Rose Castle Foundation; His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London; Dr. Mohamed Elsanousi, Executive Director of the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers; Dr Chinmay Pandya, Pro Vice Chancellor, South Asian Institute of Peace and Reconciliation; and Dr. Carl Stauffer, senior expert on reconciliation for the U.S. Institute of Peace.

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“I think about peace, forgiveness and reconciliation a lot, both as a personal desire and one for the world. It is encouraging and reassuring to know there is a charter dedicated to these purposes. It feels like a wonderful starting point, a resource and a guide for anyone and everyone, wherever they are in the world, whose aim is to move beyond conflict.”

James Davies, Oxford University, Peace Forum participant

Please see the event’s images in the PDF below.